Virgil Creek is a river located in Tompkins and Cortland Counties, New York. It originates near Virgil, New York, and flows into Fall Creek by Freeville, New York. The creek has several tributaries and drains the man-made Dryden Lake. Throughout the 20th century, periodic flooding caused substantial damage to the town of Dryden and the surrounding land, which led to the construction of a dry dam to regulate the creek's flow, which was completed in 1998.
Watershed Its watershed is approximately of land across Tompkins and Cortland Counties. The creek originates near Virgil, New York, and flows roughly westward, turning north before reaching Fall Creek. Major tributaries to the creek include Hollenbeck Hollow Creek, Egypt Creek, and outflow from the man-made Dryden Lake.
In the 1990s, the creek's watershed was largely forested or used for agricultural purposes.
History In the 19th century, several mills were built along Virgil Creek, including in Freeville and in Dryden.
Flooding There was little regulation of Virgil Creek's flow until the late 20th century, and it periodically flooded, causing damage to Dryden and the surrounding areas. There were significant floods in 1935, 1964, 1969, 1972, and 1975. A 1981 flood caused $3 million in damage, spurring discussions between local towns, Tompkins County, and the state about projects that would alleviate the issue. After years of planning, a dry dam was built. It was completed in the summer of 1998, and has successfully lowered the number of times that the creek floods.
Discharge Virgil Creek's discharge has periodically been measured. In June 1963 the flow rate at its mouth was measured at per second. In November 2023, it was measured to be per second. From 1973 to 1976, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintained a gauge on the creek by Freeville, including water from of its watershed. In 1975, the mean annual flow rate was per second, peaking in April and reaching its lowest point in July.
From October 2002 to September 2004, the USGS operated a gauge in Dryden, which included of the creek's watershed. In 2003, this section of the creek's mean annual flow rate was per second; the mean flow rate by month peaked at per second in March, and was at its lowest in December, at a rate of per second.
References
Further reading
Water Resources in Western Cortland County, New York: Hydrologic Data for 1972-1975 and Progress Report