Muscatatuck River

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The Muscatatuck River is a bifurcate river located in south central Indiana. It is a major tributary of the White River, and drains 1000 square miles. At one point it serves as the southern boundary of the main unit of Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. It also goes across the Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area and by Muscatatuck County Park.^{[1] [2]}

The path of the Muscatatuck was formed by valley beds created during an ice age. It is believed that the first people arrived and lived by the Muscatatuck around 8000 B.C., maintaining permanent structures between 1000 B.C to 1000 A.D. The first documented whites arrived in 1818, although it is possible that squatters lived in the area before Indiana's 1816 statehood.^{[3] [4]}

In the early 1900s, the name of the river was "Muscackituck". It is believed that the original white name was "Muscakituck", written in 1812 by a man named Tipton. Some believe the name comes the Munsee words for "swamp" and "river". ^[5]

It provides North Vernon, Indiana of its drinking water, and has 59 miles of length in Jennings County, Indiana.^[6]

The nature of Muscatatuck being a forked river means that Vernon, Indiana is nearly surrounded by the river, with only a small outlet that heads towards North Vernon.^[7]

Before 1830 the Muscatatuck River was navigable, with local settlers being able to ship pork down the river to eventually reach New Orleans. However, around 1830 the river was no longer navigable as dirt fill accumulated along the river bed, making most navigation impossible. However, some groups "float" along stretches of the river.^{[8] [9]}

Noted Hoosier artist T. C. Steele particularly loved using the Muscatatuck River in his paintings.^[10]

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