Scajaquada Creek
Encyclopedia
Scajaquada Creek is a stream located in Erie County, New York
, USA. The name is derived from Philip Kenjockety, an Indian described as the oldest resident of the region upon his death in 1808.
Scajaquada Creek flows through the City of Buffalo
before it empties into the Niagara River
through part of the Erie Canal
known as the Black Rock Canal. Much of the creek has been buried in underground culverts since ca. 1921, installed in response to pollution and urban development pressures. While the Scajaquada once flowed into Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park, today it bypasses the lake through a channel and culvert on the lake's south shore. The creek also flows through the Forest Lawn
cemetery, adjacent to Delaware Park, and over Serenity Falls. The falls has a total vertical drop of 12 feet (3.7 m) in a horizontal distance of 200 feet (61 m). It is one of two waterfalls found in the City of Buffalo, the other waterfall being Cazenovia Park Falls.
The length of the stream is 13 miles (20.9 km), and it drains a small watershed of 29 square miles (75.1 km²). Scajaquada Creek rises in the Town of Lancaster
in Erie County
, east of Buffalo. The creek passes through most the Town of Cheektowaga before it is diverted into an underground culvert
.
The creek lends its name to the Scajaquada Expressway, New York State Route 198
, a highway which adjoins the creek's northern shore for a short distance. Buffalo State College
, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery
and the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society
overlook Scajaquada Creek.
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
, USA. The name is derived from Philip Kenjockety, an Indian described as the oldest resident of the region upon his death in 1808.
Scajaquada Creek flows through the City of Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
before it empties into the Niagara River
Niagara River
The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the Province of Ontario in Canada and New York State in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the name of the river...
through part of the Erie Canal
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
known as the Black Rock Canal. Much of the creek has been buried in underground culverts since ca. 1921, installed in response to pollution and urban development pressures. While the Scajaquada once flowed into Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park, today it bypasses the lake through a channel and culvert on the lake's south shore. The creek also flows through the Forest Lawn
Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo
Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York was founded in 1849 by Charles E. Clark. It covers over 250 acres and over 152,000 are buried there. Notable graves include U.S. President Millard Fillmore, singer Rick James, and inventor Lawrence Dale Bell...
cemetery, adjacent to Delaware Park, and over Serenity Falls. The falls has a total vertical drop of 12 feet (3.7 m) in a horizontal distance of 200 feet (61 m). It is one of two waterfalls found in the City of Buffalo, the other waterfall being Cazenovia Park Falls.
The length of the stream is 13 miles (20.9 km), and it drains a small watershed of 29 square miles (75.1 km²). Scajaquada Creek rises in the Town of Lancaster
Lancaster (town), New York
Lancaster is a town in Erie County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town population has 39,019 residents.The Town of Lancaster has a village also called Lancaster. The Town and Village are currently exploring consolidation of governmental functions. Both town and village are east of...
in Erie County
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
, east of Buffalo. The creek passes through most the Town of Cheektowaga before it is diverted into an underground culvert
Culvert
A culvert is a device used to channel water. It may be used to allow water to pass underneath a road, railway, or embankment. Culverts can be made of many different materials; steel, polyvinyl chloride and concrete are the most common...
.
The creek lends its name to the Scajaquada Expressway, New York State Route 198
New York State Route 198
New York State Route 198 is a state highway located entirely within the city of Buffalo, New York, in the United States. It is named the Scajaquada Expressway for Scajaquada Creek, which it parallels as it heads across northern Buffalo...
, a highway which adjoins the creek's northern shore for a short distance. Buffalo State College
Buffalo State College
The State University of New York College at Buffalo, referred to as Buffalo State College, often referred to colloquially as Buff State, is a public, liberal arts college in Buffalo, New York, United States and is part of the State University of New York. Buffalo State was founded in 1871 as the...
, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is an art museum located in Delaware Park in Buffalo, New York. The gallery is a major showplace for modern art and contemporary art. It is located directly across the street from Buffalo State College.-History:...
and the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society
Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society Building
The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society is located on Nottingham Court in the city of Buffalo, just east of Elmwood Avenue, north of the Scajaquada Expressway, in the northwest corner of Delaware Park. It occupies the building constructed in 1901 as the New York State pavilion for that...
overlook Scajaquada Creek.