Cedar Creek (James River tributary)

Cedar Creek is a 12.0-mile-long (19.3 km)[2] tributary of the James River in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is notable for flowing through the Natural Bridge rock formation, a National Historic Landmark.

Cedar Creek
Cedar Creek, adjacent the Cedar Creek Trail
Cedar Creek (James River tributary) is located in Virginia
Cedar Creek (James River tributary)
Location of the mouth of Cedar Creek in Virginia
Cedar Creek (James River tributary) is located in the United States
Cedar Creek (James River tributary)
Cedar Creek (James River tributary) (the United States)
Location
CountryUnited States
StateVirginia
CountiesRockbridge County, Botetourt County
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationShort Hills Wildlife Management Area, Botetourt County
 • coordinates37°37′36″N 79°38′22″W / 37.62667°N 79.63944°W / 37.62667; -79.63944[1]
MouthJames River
 • location
Gilmore Mills, Rockbridge County
 • coordinates
37°36′29″N 79°32′33″W / 37.60806°N 79.54250°W / 37.60806; -79.54250[1]
Length12.0 mi (19.3 km)

Course

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The creek rises at the Rockbridge-Botetourt County line near the crest of the Short Hills within the Short Hills Wildlife Management Area,[3] and flows northeast for three miles (4.8 km) along the ridgecrest before dropping off the mountain to the east. Upon reaching the base of the mountain ridge, Cedar Creek turns south, then southeast, flowing under Interstate 81, then flowing under the Natural Bridge, which carries U.S. Route 11. The creek continues south two miles (3 km) farther, reaching the James River at Gilmore Mills.

Cedar Creek Trail

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The Cedar Creek Trail runs alongside Cedar Creek for one and a quarter miles (2 km), allowing visitors to see the bridge and other places of interest, including a Native American village, Saltpeter Cave, the Lost River, and Lace Falls.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Cedar Creek". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map Archived 2012-03-29 at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 1, 2011
  3. ^ "Recent Projects". The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2017.