Buck Creek (Cahaba River tributary)

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Buck Creek is a major tributary of the Cahaba River and was used to supply waterpower for manufacturing and industry during the 19th century. Current use is primarily recreational and as a discharge point for municipal water treatment facilities

[edit] Route

Buck Creek is entirely contained within Shelby County, Alabama. From its confluence with the Cahaba River below the CSX Transportation S&NA South Subdivision railroad bridge, Buck creek extends to the southeast, against the prevailing orientation of valleys and ridges in central Alabama. Buck Creek passes through the cities of Helena, Pelham, and Alabaster. Buck Creek is dammed upstream of Alabama State Route 261 in the Old Town area to form Lake Davidson which was used for recreation and water wheel power at the turn of the 20th century. This dam is illuminated at night.

[edit] Crossings

[edit] Tributaries

The major tributary of Buck Creek is Cahaba Valley Creek which enters Buck Creek near the Helena/Pelham city limits. Cahaba Valley Creek continues to the northeast, following the general orientation of the valley and ridge system of central Alabama to its source within Oak Mountain State Park. Cahaba Valley Creek is dammed to form Beaver Lake within Oak Mountain State Park. Also arising in Oak Mountain State Park, Peavine Creek joins Buck Creek upstream of Cahaba Valley Creek.

[edit] Uses

Currently Buck Creek is used as a recreational resource and as the discharge point for municipal water treatment facilities in Helena, Alabama and Pelham, Alabama. Fishing, wading, and canoeing are popular uses of the waterway. Alabama Small Boats in Helena provide shuttle service and rental canoes for those wishing to canoe the creek. The Old Town Amphitheater park in Helena lines Buck Creek and is a popular spot for picnics and recreation. Annually the Buck Creek Festival is held at this park in late Spring, drawing thousands of visitors.^[1] A historic marker for the Central Iron Works rolling mill^[2], built on the banks of Buck Creek in 1865 and since destroyed, is at the intersection of Lake Davidson Road and Route 261 in Helena.

[edit] Gallery

Buck Creek flows over the dam at Helena, Alabama during a rare snowfall on January 19, 2008

Alabama Highway 261 bridge across Buck Creek in Helena during a rare snowfall on January 19, 2008

[edit] References