Creek Don't Rise

[Dave Wilton]

Regarding the phrase, "God willing and the creek don't rise."

A common tale is that the "creek" in the phrase refers to Creek Indians and
the US-Creek war in the early days of the 19th century. It's an obvious
absurdity, but I can't find any specific information to refute it. The
phrase, which is certainly common enough, doesn't appear in any references
that I can find.

Does anyone have a clue where or when this catchphrase originated?