subsequently built and also washed away by floods. In 1947 the West Virginia Conservation Commission constructed a low water bridge which substantially dammed the cut-through and restored a steady flow to the bend of the creek. The land encircled by the creek's loop is operated as a Wildlife Management Area by the state of West Virginia. Variant names According to sources gathered by the Geographic Names Information System, Middle Island Creek has also been known historically as: Be-Van-Soss Creek of the Indians Be-van-Soss Creek of the Indians Be-van-soss Be-yan-soss Bulls Creek By-En-Soss Creek By-en-Soss Creek By-en-soss Louisa River Economy The creek's environs were the site of substantial oil and gas extraction activities in the late 19th century and 20th century. An oil boom began in the region in the 1860s. It peaked in Middlebourne in the 1890s, and an oil refinery operated in St. Marys between 1914 and 1987. Glass- and carbon-manufacturing facilities were built in West Union and Smithburg in the early 20th century, owing to the availability of natural gas. Fish life Throughout its course Middle Island Creek is a slow-moving, low-gradient stream. It is considered one of the best streams in the state for muskellunge fishing; for many years in the 20th Century the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources harvested muskie eggs from the creek for use in its fish-stocking programs in streams elsewhere in the state. Other fish commonly found in the creek include spotted bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, various species of sunfish, freshwater drum, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. See also List of West Virginia rivers West Union Covered Bridge (West Virginia) References Rivers of West Virginia Tributaries of the Ohio River Rivers of Doddridge County, West Virginia Rivers of Pleasants County, West Virginia Rivers of Tyler County, West Virginia