In the past the banks of Pigeon Creek have been home to several businesses, including a textile mill, which was abandoned in the early 20th century. In the 1800s, one would’ve found the heart of Evansville along the Pigeon Creek, where the Wabash-Erie Canal provided flatboats access to the Ohio River near the mouth (about where the Lloyd Expressway bridge now crosses the Pigeon Creek). Unfortunately farm practices in the past channelized many of the tiny streams that feed the creek (the headwaters), and construction of the Wabash-Erie Canal in the 1800s significantly altered the natural channel of the creek as it flows south past Millersburg toward Stephenson Station. However, the canal ceased to follow the Pigeon Creek where its current path drastically changes from a southern path to a western one in Warrick County. This left the majority of the remaining stretch undeveloped, and in comparison to other streams in urban cities, WILD and winding!

The creek, as a wildlife oasis in the middle of a bustling city, provides habitats for various fish, waterfowl, and mammals. If it is not protected and respected, Pigeon creek and its forested stream banks will no longer provide safe passage for wildlife to travel among our region’s farm and forest areas. With urban development comes an ethical responsibility to replace habitat that is lost. Bank stabilization and restoration will help give back some of the habitat and enhance Pigeon Creek’s ability to protect us humans and our homes from flooding, and give wildlife the opportunity to move among nature preserves, such as Wesselman Woods, in urban areas to forested rural areas.

The Pigeon Creek Watershed collects forest, residential, farmland and urban runoff. Water quality is literally everybody’s business!

So how can you help?

Make your own drastic impact by remembering “We all live downstream!” Get involved as a volunteer with our program or other similar programs across the country.

Minimize your use of residential lawn fertilizers and always dispose of automobile related liquids properly to help keep water clean.
Find out more tips and advice by contacting your local Soil & Water Conservation District or checking out these local groups:

Everyone living in the watershed must continue to be conservation minded in order to have water quality improvements in not only the Pigeon Creek, but all watersheds.