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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.  
[[Image:Davidson Dam.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Wading in Buck Creek below the Davidson Dam in 2010]]
'''Buck Creek''' is a major tributary of the [[Cahaba River]], flowing north and west through [[Shelby County]], connecting the communities of [[Saginaw]], [[Siluria]], [[Alabaster]], [[Pelham]] and [[Helena]].


==Route==
The stream was used by pioneers to supply water power for grist mills. In [[1865]] a rolling mill, the [[Central Iron Works]], was erected on the creek's bank, drawing water for industrial use. It is currently used primarily for recreation, and as an outlet for treated municipal waste water.  
Buck Creek is entirely contained within [[Shelby County]]. 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 Highway 261]] in the [[Old Town Helena]] 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.
 
Helena organizes an annual [[Buck Creek Festival]] at the park. In Alabaster, the [[Buck Creek Greenway]] was developed in [[2008]], linking [[Warrior Park]] and [[Buck Creek Park (Alabaster)|Buck Creek Park]].


==Tributaries==
In June [[2016]] [[Cahaba Riverkeeper]] [[David Butler]] reported caustic milky discharge into Buck Creek from [[Carmeuse Lime & Stone]]'s [[Longview Operation]] (formerly [[Longview Lime Works]]) near [[Saginaw]]. The [[Alabama Department of Environmental Management]] conducted sampling that September and found high pH levels and virtually no aquatic life. The company determined that the discharges originated as runoff from old waste lime storage areas which filtered into groundwater that then found its way into the creek. Carmeuse negotiated a "consent order" with ADEM in June [[2017]] in which it paid a $32,000 fine and submitted a written plan to achieve compliance with environmental laws. The company has invested $1.25 million to study the problem and to design and install a site drainage system that captures runoff for treatment before it is discharged. The regrading also improved access to the creek bank from the company's plant, which will make it easier to monitor any future problems.
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.


==Uses==
An oil sheen appeared on a section of Buck Creek in southwestern Pelham, in the vicinity of the [[Products Pipe Line]] (PPL), in September [[2021]]. The [[Pelham Fire Department]] worked to contain the sheen while the [[Shelby County Emergency Management Agency]] investigated its source.
Currently Buck Creek is used as a recreational resource and as the discharge point for municipal water treatment facilities in Helena and Pelham. 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 every May, drawing thousands of visitors.  A historic marker for the [[Central Iron Works]] rolling mill, built on the banks of Buck Creek in [[1865]] and since destroyed, is at the intersection of [[Lake Davidson Lane]] and Highway 261 in Helena.
==Route==
Buck Creek originates with the confluence of several smaller streams in [[Saginaw]]. From there it flows westward, under [[I-65]], and bends northward as it enters the [[Cahaba Valley]] just south of [[Siluria]]. It proceeds north on the western edge of Siluria, and vaguely parallels [[U. S. Highway 31]] through [[Alabaster]] and into [[Pelham]]. It is joined by [[Peavine Creek]] just south before passing under [[Shelby County Road 52]] and past the discharge for the [[Pelham Waste Water Treatment Plant]]. The creek is joined by [[Cahaba Valley Creek]] as it bends to the west, toward [[Helena]]. Both Peavine Creek and Cahaba Valley Creek originate in [[Oak Mountain State Park]].


In Alabaster, the [[Buck Creek Greenway]] was developed in [[2008]], linking that city's parks along Buck Creek.
As it approaches [[Old Town Helena]] at [[Alabama State Highway 261]], the creek is widened by [[Davidson Dam]] ([[1915]]) to form [[Lake Davidson]], formerly the centerpiece of a recreational resort developed by [[Tom Davidson]], and now a recreational spot just below the discharge from the [[Helena Waste Water Treatment Plant]]. The creek spills over the concrete dam, providing a waterfall that is illuminated at night and visible from the decks of nearby restaurants. The area below the dam, part of [[Buck Creek Park (Helena)|Buck Creek Park]], is a popular spot for wading and picnicking. The creek continues past the [[Helena Amphitheatre]], then bends northwest before spilling into the [[Cahaba River]] under the [[CSX Transportation]] [[S&NA South Subdivision]] railroad bridge.


==References==
==References==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Buck_Creek_%28Cahaba_River_tributary%29&oldid=195121999 Buck Creek (Cahaba River tributary)]. (March 1, 2008). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 12, 2008.  
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Buck_Creek_%28Cahaba_River_tributary%29 Buck Creek (Cahaba River tributary)]. (March 1, 2008) ''Wikipedia'' - accessed May 12, 2008
* Pillion, Dennis (July 21, 2018) "What's the penalty for killing a creek? In Alabama, $32,000." {{BN}}
* Pillion, Dennis (November 26, 2018) "Two years, $1.25M later, Buck Creek has life again." {{BN}}
* Koplowitz, Howard (September 30, 2021) "Oil sheen on Pelham creek found after strong gas smell; cause under investigation." {{BN}}
 
==External links==
* [http://www.cityofalabaster.com/Default.asp?ID=690 Buck Creek Trail] at cityofalabaster.com


{{Cahaba River}}
{{Cahaba River}}
[[Category:Buck Creek|*]]
[[Category:Buck Creek|*]]
{{GFDL}}

Latest revision as of 16:41, 5 October 2021

Wading in Buck Creek below the Davidson Dam in 2010

Buck Creek is a major tributary of the Cahaba River, flowing north and west through Shelby County, connecting the communities of Saginaw, Siluria, Alabaster, Pelham and Helena.

The stream was used by pioneers to supply water power for grist mills. In 1865 a rolling mill, the Central Iron Works, was erected on the creek's bank, drawing water for industrial use. It is currently used primarily for recreation, and as an outlet for treated municipal waste water.

Helena organizes an annual Buck Creek Festival at the park. In Alabaster, the Buck Creek Greenway was developed in 2008, linking Warrior Park and Buck Creek Park.

In June 2016 Cahaba Riverkeeper David Butler reported caustic milky discharge into Buck Creek from Carmeuse Lime & Stone's Longview Operation (formerly Longview Lime Works) near Saginaw. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management conducted sampling that September and found high pH levels and virtually no aquatic life. The company determined that the discharges originated as runoff from old waste lime storage areas which filtered into groundwater that then found its way into the creek. Carmeuse negotiated a "consent order" with ADEM in June 2017 in which it paid a $32,000 fine and submitted a written plan to achieve compliance with environmental laws. The company has invested $1.25 million to study the problem and to design and install a site drainage system that captures runoff for treatment before it is discharged. The regrading also improved access to the creek bank from the company's plant, which will make it easier to monitor any future problems.

An oil sheen appeared on a section of Buck Creek in southwestern Pelham, in the vicinity of the Products Pipe Line (PPL), in September 2021. The Pelham Fire Department worked to contain the sheen while the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency investigated its source.

Route

Buck Creek originates with the confluence of several smaller streams in Saginaw. From there it flows westward, under I-65, and bends northward as it enters the Cahaba Valley just south of Siluria. It proceeds north on the western edge of Siluria, and vaguely parallels U. S. Highway 31 through Alabaster and into Pelham. It is joined by Peavine Creek just south before passing under Shelby County Road 52 and past the discharge for the Pelham Waste Water Treatment Plant. The creek is joined by Cahaba Valley Creek as it bends to the west, toward Helena. Both Peavine Creek and Cahaba Valley Creek originate in Oak Mountain State Park.

As it approaches Old Town Helena at Alabama State Highway 261, the creek is widened by Davidson Dam (1915) to form Lake Davidson, formerly the centerpiece of a recreational resort developed by Tom Davidson, and now a recreational spot just below the discharge from the Helena Waste Water Treatment Plant. The creek spills over the concrete dam, providing a waterfall that is illuminated at night and visible from the decks of nearby restaurants. The area below the dam, part of Buck Creek Park, is a popular spot for wading and picnicking. The creek continues past the Helena Amphitheatre, then bends northwest before spilling into the Cahaba River under the CSX Transportation S&NA South Subdivision railroad bridge.

References

External links

Cahaba River
Dams & Reservoirs

Lake Purdy Dam, Lake Purdy, Birmingham Water Works Dam

Tributaries

Buck Creek, Little Cahaba River, Little Shades Creek, Patton Creek, Shades Creek

Other topics

Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, Cahaba River Society, List of access locations
Cahaba lily, Cahaba Pump Station, Riverview Wastewater Treatment Plant, Trussville Wastewater Treatment Plant

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