Thursday, October 23, 2025
51.7 F
Beckley
More

    Biologist suggests origin for strange name of this West Virginia stream

    COVEL, W.Va. — From high among the peaks of Great Flat Top Mountain in southern West Virginia, there descends a stream that bears a unique name—Gooney Otter Creek. But what is a "gooney otter?"

    The strange name appears nowhere else in the world, but a renowned wildlife biologist may have the answer.

    Gooney Otter Creek descends westward from Great Flat Top Mountain to Herndon, West Virginia.

    Jim Reed, now retired from the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, has studied habitat across the Mountain State and has come up with an answer that he thinks explains the origin of the name.

    "During several stream surveys on Barkers Creek and Gooney Otter Creek, I observed several mink along the streams—even during daylight hours," Reed said.

    "I theorized that possibly 'Gooney Otter' may have acquired its name by early settlers observing mink, a smaller cousin of the much larger otter, along the stream. Not really a mink, but a 'gooney otter.' ”

    At that time, Reed was the district fisheries biologist in charge of eight counties in southeastern West Virginia and was monitoring fingerling stocking of trout to determine survival and growth rates.

    Advertisement

    Gooney Otter and Barkers Creek and other tributaries of the upper Guyandotte River have since been established as catch-and-release trout fishing streams.

    Reed says he can see why early settlers would have considered the mink a gooney version of the otter, "gooney" being a slang word for a foolish, silly, or awkward person or thing.

    Because mink and otters are in the same family (), they highly resemble each other, Reed says. To tell these two species apart, size is the most important factor. Otters are large, almost four feet long, while mink are significantly smaller, measuring less than two feet in length.

    Topographic maps from the 1890s name the creek "Gone Otter." Present-day communities such as Covel and Herndon did not yet exist.

    "Possibly early settlers saw numerous small silly acting mink jumping around along the rocks of this creek and proclaimed there is a gooney otter!'" he said.

    "The much larger otter is very graceful, and its dives and twists and rolls are sights to see in a large pool of water. While surveying the Meadow River near Nallen in Fayette County I observed an otter swimming and diving and performing a beautiful act that was just such a sight.

    "In contrast, I observed numerous small mink going in and out of rocks and rubble along Gooney Otter Creek in Wyoming County near Bud. As Paul Harvey used to say, 'Now you know the rest of the story!'"


    Origin of name "Pickle Street" remains a central W.Va. mystery

    Editor David Sibray indulges in the tradition of having one's photo taken at the Pickle Street sign in central W.Va.

    PICKLE STREET, W.Va. — Of all the odd community names in West Virginia, "Pickle Street" must rank among the oddest. Why this hamlet in Lewis County bears the name "pickle" is as much a mystery as why it is termed "street."

    Advertisement

    Sign up to receive of FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email weekly. 

    David Sibray
    David Sibray
    Historian, real estate agent, and proponent of inventive economic development in West Virginia, David Sibray is the founder and publisher of West Virginia Explorer Magazine. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390.

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Hot this week

    Fayetteville Creates turns town into a living arts studio for the New River Gorge

    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — This winter, the small mountain town...

    The legend of the Vegetable Man: How a bloodsucking alien left its mark on West Virginia

    FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A lesser-known encounter with an extraordinary...

    Professors at WVU trace Halloween through ancient, cross-cultural traditions

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — From cauldrons to candy corn, favorite...

    Account claims lost Swift silver mine delved near Big Sandy River in West Virginia

    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — One of the most appealing of...

    Eight ghost towns in southern West Virginia worth visiting

    THURMOND, W.Va. — One of the richest aspects of...

    Topics

    Fayetteville Creates turns town into a living arts studio for the New River Gorge

    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — This winter, the small mountain town...

    The legend of the Vegetable Man: How a bloodsucking alien left its mark on West Virginia

    FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A lesser-known encounter with an extraordinary...

    Professors at WVU trace Halloween through ancient, cross-cultural traditions

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — From cauldrons to candy corn, favorite...

    Eight ghost towns in southern West Virginia worth visiting

    THURMOND, W.Va. — One of the richest aspects of...

    Three West Virginia resorts ranked among best in U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Top travel destinations in West Virginia...

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories