Snow Creek (Mahantango Creek tributary)

Last updated
Snow Creek
Physical characteristics
Main source hill in Upper Mahanoy Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
955 ft (291 m)
River mouth Mahantango Creek in Jordan Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania near Klingerstown
512 ft (156 m)
40°39′49″N76°42′00″W / 40.66352°N 76.69996°W / 40.66352; -76.69996 Coordinates: 40°39′49″N76°42′00″W / 40.66352°N 76.69996°W / 40.66352; -76.69996
Length 3.8 mi (6.1 km)
Basin features
Progression Mahantango Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay
Tributaries
  • Left:
    three unnamed tributaries
  • Right:
    four unnamed tributaries

Snow Creek is a tributary of Mahantango Creek in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.8 miles (6.1 km) long and flows through Upper Mahanoy Township and Jordan Township. [1] The watershed of the creek has an area of 4.72 square miles (12.2 km2). The creek has no named tributaries and is not designated as an impaired waterbody in any stream segment.

Tributary stream or river that flows into a main stem river or lake

A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drainage basin of its surface water and groundwater, leading the water out into an ocean.

Mahantango Creek is a 36.2-mile-long (58.3 km) tributary of the Susquehanna River in Dauphin, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Snyder County counties, Pennsylvania in the United States.

Northumberland County, Pennsylvania county in Pennsylvania, United States

Northumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 94,528. Its county seat is Sunbury. The county was formed in 1772 from parts of Lancaster, Berks, Bedford, Cumberland, and Northampton Counties and named for the county of Northumberland in northern England. Northumberland County is a fifth class county according to the Pennsylvania's County Code.

Contents

Course

Snow Creek begins on a hill in Upper Mahanoy Township. It flows south-southwest for a few tenths of a mile before turning south for a few tenths of a mile, passing through a small pond, reaching the bottom of the hill, and receiving an unnamed tributary from the left. The creek then turns west-southwest for a few tenths of a mile before receiving an unnamed tributary from the right and entering a valley. In the valley, it continues to flow west-southwest for more than a mile before entering Jordan Township. Upon entering this township, the creek gradually turns south for a few tenths of a mile, receiving one unnamed tributary from the right and one from the left. It then turns south-southwest for several tenths of a mile, receiving one unnamed tributary from the right and another from the left before turning southwest and crossing Klingerstown Road. A short distance further downstream, the creek receives another unnamed tributary from the right and reaches its confluence with Mahantango Creek on the border between Northumberland County and Schuylkill County. [1]

Pond A relatively small body of standing water

A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or artificial, that is usually smaller than a lake. They may arise naturally in floodplains as part of a river system, or they may be somewhat isolated depressions. They may contain shallow water with marsh and aquatic plants and animals. The type of life in a pond is generally determined by a combination of factors including water level regime and nutrient levels, but other factors may also be important, including the presence or absence of shading by trees, presence or absence of streams, effects of grazing animals, and salinity.

Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania County in Pennsylvania, United States

Schuylkill County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 148,289. The county seat is Pottsville. The county was created on March 1, 1811, from parts of Berks and Northampton counties and named for the Schuylkill River, which originates in the county. On March 3, 1818 additional territory in its northeast was added from Columbia and Luzerne Counties.

Snow Creek joins Mahantango Creek 16.88 miles (27.17 km) upstream of its mouth. [2]

Hydrology, geography and geology

The elevation near the mouth of Snow Creek is 512 feet (156 m) above sea level. [3] The elevation near the creek's source is 955 feet (291 m) above sea level. [1]

River mouth end of a river

A river mouth is the part of a river where the river debouches into another river, a lake, a reservoir, a sea, or an ocean.

Sea level Average level for the surface of the ocean at any given geographical position on the planetary surface

Mean sea level (MSL) is an average level of the surface of one or more of Earth's oceans from which heights such as elevation may be measured. MSL is a type of vertical datum – a standardised geodetic datum – that is used, for example, as a chart datum in cartography and marine navigation, or, in aviation, as the standard sea level at which atmospheric pressure is measured to calibrate altitude and, consequently, aircraft flight levels. A common and relatively straightforward mean sea-level standard is the midpoint between a mean low and mean high tide at a particular location.

River source The starting point of a river

The source or headwaters of a river or stream is the furthest place in that river or stream from its estuary or confluence with another river, as measured along the course of the river.

As of 2004, no reach of Snow Creek or any of its unnamed tributaries are designated as impaired waterbodies. [4]

Watershed

The watershed of Snow Creek has an area of 4.72 square miles (12.2 km2). [2] The creek is entirely within the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Klingerstown. [3] Its mouth is located within 1 mile (1.6 km) of Klingerstown. [3] There are approximately 10.75 miles (17.30 km) of streams in the creek's watershed. [4]

Drainage basin Area of land where precipitation collects and drains off into a common outlet

A drainage basin is any area of land where precipitation collects and drains off into a common outlet, such as into a river, bay, or other body of water. The drainage basin includes all the surface water from rain runoff, snowmelt, and nearby streams that run downslope towards the shared outlet, as well as the groundwater underneath the earth's surface. Drainage basins connect into other drainage basins at lower elevations in a hierarchical pattern, with smaller sub-drainage basins, which in turn drain into another common outlet.

United States Geological Survey scientific agency of the United States government

The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology, geography, geology, and hydrology. The USGS is a fact-finding research organization with no regulatory responsibility.

Quadrangle (geography) large area in geology or geography

In geology or geography, the word "quadrangle" usually refers to a United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute quadrangle map, which are usually named after a local physiographic feature. The shorthand "quad" is also used, especially with the name of the map; for example, "the Ranger Creek, Texas quad map". These maps are one-quarter of the older 15-minute series. On a quadrangle map, the north and south limits of the quadrangle are not straight lines, but are actually curved to match Earth's lines of latitude on the standard projection. The east and west limits are usually not parallel as they match Earth's lines of longitude. In the United States, a 7.5 minute quadrangle map covers an area of 49 to 70 square miles.

A 6.4-mile (10.3 km) long greenway along Snow Creek has been proposed. [5]

History

Snow Creek was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1187945. [3]

A concrete tee beam bridge carrying State Route 3018 across Snow Creek was constructed 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Pillow in 1938 and is 35.1 feet (10.7 m) long. [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Mahanoy Creek creek in Pennsylvania

Mahanoy Creek is a 51.6-mile-long (83.0 km) tributary of the Susquehanna River in Northumberland and Schuylkill counties, Pennsylvania. There are at least 35 sources of acid mine drainage in the creek's watershed. Anthracite was mined in the upper part of the Mahanoy Creek watershed in the 19th and 20th centuries. Mahanoy Creek's tributaries include Schwaben Creek, Zerbe Run, Little Mahanoy Creek, Shenandoah Creek, and North Mahanoy Creek. Little Mahanoy Creek and Schwaben Creek are two streams in the watershed that are unaffected by acid mine drainage. Schwaben Creek has a higher number and diversity of fish species than the main stem.

Shenandoah Creek is a tributary of Mahanoy Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is at least 5 miles (8.0 km) long and flows through Shenandoah, West Mahanoy Township, Butler Township, and Girardville.

Lick Creek (Shamokin Creek tributary)

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Mouse Creek (Schwaben Creek tributary) creek in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, US

Mouse Creek is a tributary of Schwaben Creek in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 5.6 miles (9.0 km) long and flows through Jordan Township, Washington Township, and Jackson Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 7.19 square miles (18.6 km2). The creek and its tributaries are not designated as impaired waterbodies. Its watershed is at least partially in the ridge and valley physiographic province. The main land use in the upper reaches of the creek's drainage basin are forested land and agricultural land, but other land uses exist as well. A number of bridges have been constructed across the creek.

Middle Creek (Schwaben Creek tributary) tributary of Schwaben Creek in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

Middle Creek is a tributary of Schwaben Creek in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long and flows through Washington Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 3.28 square miles (8.5 km2). The creek is designated as an impaired waterbody, with the cause of the impairment being siltation, low dissolved oxygen levels/organic enrichment, and vegetation removal and the source being agricultural activity. The creek is classified as a Trout Stocked Fishery.

Zerbe Run

Zerbe Run is a tributary of Mahanoy Creek in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 8.3 miles (13.4 km) long and flows through Coal Township, Zerbe Township, and Little Mahanoy Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 13.1 square miles (34 km2). Part of the stream is impaired by abandoned mine drainage, but its upper reaches are not impacted by mining. Several mine drainage discharges occur within the watershed. The stream is not far from the Western Middle Anthracite Field.

Crab Run (Mahanoy Creek tributary)

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North Mahanoy Creek is a tributary of Mahanoy Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.4 miles (7.1 km) long and flows through Delano Township, Mahanoy Township, and Mahanoy City. The watershed of the creek has an area of 5.99 square miles (15.5 km2). The creek is designated as an impaired waterbody due to sedimentation/siltation and water/flow variation from abandoned mine drainage. The creek is relatively small, an ephemeral stream in its lower reaches, and is located within the Western Middle Anthracite Field.

Glade Run river in the United States of America

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Fidlers Run stream

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Chapman Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.2 miles (6.8 km) long and flows through Union Township and Chapman Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 2.81 square miles (7.3 km2). The creek has no named tributaries and is not designated as an impaired waterbody. Its drainage basin is designated as a Warmwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Dalmatia Creek tributary of the Susquehanna River in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

Dalmatia Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.8 miles (4.5 km) long and flows through Lower Mahanoy Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 2.80 square miles (7.3 km2). The creek has no named tributaries, but several unnamed ones. Both it and its tributaries are designated as impaired waterbodies due to sedimentation/siltation from crop-related agriculture and vegetation removal. Streambank erosion also occurs in the watershed. The creek is in the Ridge and Valley physiographic province.

Aline Creek is a tributary of North Branch Mahantango Creek in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.3 miles (3.7 km) long and flows through Perry Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 1.61 square miles (4.2 km2). The creek has no named tributaries, but does have one unnamed tributary. A reach of Aline Creek is designated as an impaired waterbody due to siltation/sedimentation from agriculture and removal of vegetation. The creek's drainage basin is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Dobson Run is a tributary of West Branch Mahantango Creek in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 5.1 miles (8.2 km) long and flows through Greenwood Township and Susquehanna Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 7.51 square miles (19.5 km2). The stream has no named tributaries, but does have several unnamed tributaries. It is one of the main streams in Susquehanna Township. The stream's drainage basin is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Leiningers Run is a tributary of West Branch Mahantango Creek in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.9 miles (7.9 km) long and flows through Greenwood Township and Susquehanna Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 6.96 square miles (18.0 km2). A reach of the stream is designated as an impaired waterbody due to miscellaneous habitat alteration from habitat modifications not including hydromodification. The stream's drainage basin is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Boyers Run is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Juniata County and Perry County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.8 miles (4.5 km) long and flows through Susquehanna Township in Juniata County and Liverpool Township in Perry County. The watershed of the stream has an area of 1.63 square miles (4.2 km2). The stream has one unnamed tributary and is not designated as an impaired waterbody. The drainage basin of Boyers Run is designated as a Warmwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Deep Creek is a tributary of Mahantango Creek in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 5.9 miles (9.5 km) long and flows through Lykens Township and Pillow. The watershed of the creek has an area of 10.6 square miles (27 km2). It is not designated as an impaired waterbody, but is nevertheless observed to have high nitrate concentrations. Major land uses in the creek's watershed include agricultural land and forested land. The creek's watershed is classified as a Warmwater Fishery.

Hans Yost Creek is a tributary of Deep Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.4 miles (5.5 km) long and flows through Foster Township and Barry Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 3.52 square miles (9.1 km2). The creek is designated as an impaired waterbody, with the causes being metals and pH and the probable source being abandoned mine drainage. It has no named tributaries, but two abandoned mine discharges flow into it. The creek's watershed was extensively mined in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but the only remaining active mining permits are for remining.

Little Mahantango Creek is a tributary of Mahantango Creek in Schuylkill County and Northumberland County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 9.6 miles (15.4 km) long and flows through Eldred Township and Upper Mahantongo Township in Schuylkill County and Upper Mahanoy Township in Northumberland County. The watershed of the creek has an area of 15.1 square miles (39 km2). The creek has many unnamed tributaries and sub-tributaries; all of them, as well as the main stem, are impaired. The cause of impairment in Little Mahantango Creek is sedimentation/siltation and the probable source of impairment is agriculture.

References

  1. 1 2 3 United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer , retrieved June 4, 2016
  2. 1 2 Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, p. 131, retrieved June 5, 2016
  3. 1 2 3 4 Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: Snow Creek , retrieved June 4, 2016
  4. 1 2 Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS) State Water Plan Subbasin 06C Mahantango Creek and Wiconisco Creek Watersheds (Susquehanna River) Northumberland, Schuylkill, Dauphin, Juniata, Perry, and Snyder Counties, February 2004, retrieved June 5, 2016
  5. ↑ Northumberland County Greenways and Open Space Plan (PDF), p. 77, retrieved June 5, 2016
  6. ↑ Northumberland County , retrieved June 5, 2016
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