West Hemlock Creek

West Hemlock Creek
	West Hemolock Creek near its mouth looking upstream
Physical characteristics
Main source	valley in eastern West Hemlock Township, Montour County, Pennsylvania
River mouth	Hemlock Creek in Hemlock Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania; 567 ft (173 m); 41°01′14″N76°30′19″W / 41.02051°N 76.50534°W Coordinates: 41°01′14″N76°30′19″W / 41.02051°N 76.50534°W
Length	3.7 mi (6.0 km)
Basin features
Progression	Hemlock Creek → Fishing Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay
Basin size	2.80 sq mi (7.3 km2)

Last updated April 29, 2019

West Hemlock Creek is a tributary of Hemlock Creek in Montour County and Columbia County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long and flows through West Hemlock Township, Montour County and Hemlock Township, Columbia County.^[1] The creek has at least one unnamed tributary. West Hemlock Creek and its unnamed tributary are considered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to be impaired. The watershed of the creek has an area of 2.80 square miles (7.3 km²). The creek is designated as a coldwater fishery. Rock formations in the watershed include the Catskill Formation and the Trimemrs Rock Formation.

Hemlock Creek is a stream in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is 7.6 miles (12.2 km) in length. The stream is a tributary of Fishing Creek. It is primarily in Madison and Hemlock Townships. Its named tributaries are West Hemlock Creek and Frozen Run. Hemlock Creek flows through Montour Ridge. Industries in the vicinity of Hemlock Creek have largely consisted of mills and iron mines. The creek's watershed is in Columbia and Montour Counties and is 16 square miles (41 km²) in area.

Montour County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 18,267. Its county seat is Danville. The county is named for Andrew Montour, a prominent Métis interpreter who served with George Washington during the French and Indian War. It encompasses 132 sq mi, making it the smallest county by land area in the state.

Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 67,295. Its county seat is Bloomsburg. The county was created on March 22, 1813, from part of Northumberland County and named for Columbia, a poetic name for the United States that alludes to Christopher Columbus.

Course

West Hemlock Creek begins in a valley in eastern West Hemlock Township, near Hedge Road. It flows east for a short distance to the edge of the township and then flows along the township line for some distance. The creek then turns southeast into Hemlock Township, Columbia County.^[1]

West Hemlock Township is a township in Montour County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Hemlock Township is a township in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 2,249, up from 1,874 at the 2000 census.

In Hemlock Township, the valley of West Hemlock Creek gets deeper. The creek continues southeast and east for a few miles. It then leaves the valley and almost immediately reaches its confluence with Hemlock Creek near the community of Buckhorn.^[1]

Buckhorn is a census-designated place (CDP) in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 318 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Bloomsburg–Berwick Micropolitan Statistical Area. It uses the Bloomsburg ZIP code of 17815.

West Hemlock Creek joins Hemlock Creek 3.02 miles (4.86 km) upstream of its mouth.^[2]

Tributaries

Tributaries of West Hemlock Creek include the unnamed tributary UNT 65640353.^[3]

Hydrology, geography, and geology

3.7 miles (6.0 km) of West Hemlock Creek is considered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to be impaired.^[4] The cause of the impairment is siltation due to agricultural activity. 0.5 miles (0.80 km) of an unnamed tributary of the creek also experience the same impairment for the same reason.^[3]

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the agency in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania responsible for protecting and preserving the land, air, water, and public health through enforcement of the state's environmental laws. It was created by Act 18 of 1995, which split the Department of Environmental Resources into the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Its current secretary is Patrick McDonnell.

Siltation or siltification is the pollution of water by particulate terrestrial clastic material, with a particle size dominated by silt or clay. It refers both to the increased concentration of suspended sediments, and to the increased accumulation of fine sediments on bottoms where they are undesirable. Siltation is most often caused by soil erosion or sediment spill.

Agriculture is the science and art of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities. The history of agriculture began thousands of years ago. After gathering wild grains beginning at least 105,000 years ago, nascent farmers began to plant them around 11,500 years ago. Pigs, sheep and cattle were domesticated over 10,000 years ago. Plants were independently cultivated in at least 11 regions of the world. Industrial agriculture based on large-scale monoculture in the twentieth century came to dominate agricultural output, though about 2 billion people still depended on subsistence agriculture into the twenty-first.

The elevation of West Hemlock Creek near its mouth is 567 feet (173 m) above sea level.^[5] The lower reaches of the creek lie over rock of the Trimmers Rock Formation. The upper reaches are on rock of the Irish Valley Member of the Catskill Formation. It is also near the West Hemlock Creek Fault.^[6]

The areas along West Hemlock Creek that are a hazard for floods are mostly not developed.^[7]

Watershed

The watershed of West Hemlock Creek has an area of 2.80 square miles (7.3 km²).^[2] The land between the creek and Interstate 80 is forested.^[8]

Biology

West Hemlock Creek is designated as a coldwater fishery.^[4] The slopes of the valley of West Hemlock Creek contain a riparian buffer that is composed mainly of eastern hemlock. There are also forested seeps on the creek. According to the Columbia County Natural Areas Inventory, these may contain "sensitive ecological features".^[8]

Related Research Articles

Pine Creek is a tributary of Mahantango Creek in Schuylkill and Dauphin counties, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 23.7 miles (38.1 km) long. The creek flows through Foster Township, Hegins Township, Hubley Township, and Upper Mahantango Township in Schuylkill County and Lykens Township in Dauphin County. The creek's watershed has an area of 76.8 square miles (199 km²) and its tributaries include Rausch Creek and Deep Creek. Pine Creek is considered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to be impaired by abandoned mine drainage and resource extraction. However, it is designated as a coldwater fishery.

Fishing Creek is a 29.98-mile (48.25 km) long tributary of the Susquehanna River in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It joins the Susquehanna River near the census-designated place of Rupert and the town of Bloomsburg. The watershed has an area of 385 square miles (1,000 km²).

Mahoning Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Columbia County and Montour County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 10.6 miles (17.1 km) long and flows through Madison Township in Columbia County and West Hemlock Township, Derry Township, Valley Township, Mahoning Township, and Danville in Montour County. The watershed of the creek has an area of 39.6 square miles (103 km²). Its tributaries include Kase Run, Mauses Creek, and Sechler Run. Mahoning Creek is designated as a Trout-Stocking Fishery and a Migratory Fishery for part of its length and as a Warmwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery for the remainder.

Montour Run is a tributary of Fishing Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. It is the last named tributary to join the creek and is 3.1 miles (5.0 km) long. The stream's watershed has an area of approximately 4.7 square miles and is located in Montour Township, Columbia County and Cooper Township, Montour County. The annual load of sediment in the watershed is 4,248,000 pounds (1,927,000 kg), most of which comes from agricultural lands. Minnows live in the stream.

West Creek is a tributary of Fishing Creek, in Columbia County and Sullivan County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is 9.1 miles (14.6 km) long and flows through Davidson Township in Sullivan County and Jackson Township, Sugarloaf Township, Benton Township, and Benton in Columbia County. The water temperature of the creek ranges from 0 °C (32 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F). The discharge ranges from 0 to nearly 10 cubic meters per second. Rock formations in the watershed include the Trimmers Rock Formation, the Catskill Formation, and the Huntley Mountain Formation. The creek's watershed has an area of 16.6 square miles, most of which is agricultural, forested, or urban land. A small number of dams, mills, and schoolhouses were built on West Creek in the 19th and early 20th century. West Creek has the highest level of biodiversity of any stream in the upper Fishing Creek watershed.

West Branch Fishing Creek is one of the northernmost major tributaries of Fishing Creek in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania and Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is 11.1 miles (17.9 km) long and flows through Davidson Township, Sullivan County and Sugarloaf Township, Columbia County. The creek's watershed has an area of 33.5 square miles, nearly all of which is forested land.

Mud Creek is a tributary of Chillisquaque Creek in Columbia County and Montour County in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 8.3 miles (13.4 km) long and flows through Madison Township, Columbia County and Derry Township, Montour County. The main tributaries of the creek are unnamed tributaries. The creek's watershed has an area of 17.70 square miles and is in West Hemlock Township, Montour County as well as the two townships it flows through. The watershed is mostly agricultural and forested and the main developed areas are Washingtonville and Jerseytown.

Kase Run is a tributary of Mahoning Creek in Montour County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.6 miles (7.4 km) long and flows through West Hemlock Township and Valley Township. The stream's watershed has an area of 7.27 square miles (18.8 km²). The stream and a number of its tributaries are considered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to be impaired by siltation due to agriculture.

Frozen Run is a tributary of Hemlock Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.2 miles (5.1 km) long and flows through Hemlock Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 3.55 square miles (9.2 km²). The stream flows through Frosty Valley and is also near a fault. It is designated as a coldwater fishery. Parts of the watershed are impaired due to siltation. The stream has several unnamed tributaries.

Trout Run is a tributary of East Branch Fishing Creek in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and flows through Davidson Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 0.62 square miles (1.6 km²). The stream is acidic and is considered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to be impaired by atmospheric deposition and metals. Rock formations in the watershed include the Catskill Formation and the Huntley Mountain Formation. Soils in the watershed include the Deep-Wellsboro-Oquaga and Oquaga soil associations.

Big Run is a tributary of East Branch Fishing Creek in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long and flows through Davidson Township. Its watershed has an area of 1.38 square miles (3.6 km²). The stream has a low pH and poor water quality, although that could potentially be remedied. The main rock formations in the area are the Catskill Formation, the Huntley Mountain Formation, and the Burgoon Sandstone. The main soil associations in the vicinity of the stream are the Deep-Wellsboro-Oquaga association, the Oquaga association, and the Norwich association.

Scotch Run is one of the main tributaries of Catawissa Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 7.8 miles (12.6 km) long and flows through Beaver Township and Main Township. The stream's watershed has an area of 9.10 square miles (23.6 km²). The stream is infertile and acidic. It is 7.2 feet (2.2 m) wide in its upper reaches and 17.0 feet (5.2 m) wide in its lower reaches. The main rock formations in the watershed include the Mauch Chunk Formation, the Pocono Formation, the Pottsville Formation, and the Spechty Kopf Formation. The main soils include Leck Kill soil and Hazleton soil. It flows between Nescopeck Mountain and McCauley Mountain.

Beaver Run is a tributary of Catawissa Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 6.2 miles (10.0 km) long and flows through Beaver Township. The stream's watershed has an area of 9.60 miles (15.45 km). Wetlands are present in the watershed. The stream was named by Alexander McCauley in 1774.

Furnace Run is a tributary of Catawissa Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long and flows through Catawissa Township and Main Township. The stream is the last named tributary to enter Catawissa Creek before its mouth. The stream's watershed has an area of 2.82 square miles (7.3 km²). The main rock formations are the Pottsville Group and the Mauch Chunk Formation. The stream itself is considered to be a high quality coldwater fishery and Class A Wild Trout Waters.

Fisher Run is a tributary of Catawissa Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.9 miles (4.7 km) long and flows through Main Township and Beaver Township. The stream is impaired by acid mine drainage. It is considered to be a high-quality coldwater fishery and Class A Wild Trout Waters. The watershed of the stream has an area of 3.03 square miles (7.8 km²).

Cranberry Run is a tributary of Catawissa Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.0 miles (3.2 km) long and flows through Beaver Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 1.83 square miles (4.7 km²). The stream is considered to be a Coldwater Fishery. The main rock formations in the stream's watershed are the Mauch Chunk Formation and the Pocono Formation and the main soils are the Leck Kill soil and the Hazleton soil.

Logan Run is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 5.7 miles (9.2 km) long and flows through Rush Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 8.70 square miles (22.5 km²) and is in the Lower Susquehanna River drainage basin. The stream is crossed by five bridges and was home to a gristmill and sawmill at some point in the past. It is considered to be a coldwater fishery and a migratory fishery. Rock of the Catskill Formation, the Pocono Formation, and the Hamilton Formation are present in the watershed.

Johnson Creek is a tributary of Lithia Springs Creek in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.3 miles (3.7 km) long and flows through Point Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 4.09 square miles (10.6 km²). It has no named tributaries, but has at least one unnamed tributary. A ridge known as Montour Ridge is in the watershed of the creek and a ravine with high levels of biodiversity is present on one if its tributaries. The creek is considered to be a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

White Hall Creek is a tributary of East Branch Chillisquaque Creek in Columbia County and Montour County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.8 miles (6.1 km) long and flows through Madison Township in Columbia County and Anthony Township and Derry Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 2.31 square miles (6.0 km²). All streams in its watershed are impaired by siltation due to agriculture. The creek is a Warmwater Fishery.

References

1 2 3 United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer , retrieved July 23, 2014
1 2 Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, retrieved July 23, 2014
1 2 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (January 8, 2013), HEMLOCK CREEK WATERSHED TMDL Columbia and Montour Counties (PDF), retrieved July 23, 2014
1 2 Columbia County, Pennsylvania CHESAPEAKE BAY TRIBUTARY STRATEGY (PDF), March 2013, retrieved July 23, 2014
↑ Topographic Map Stream Features in Columbia County, Pennsylvania , retrieved July 23, 2014
↑ James H. Dolimpio (1990), Bedrock geologic map of the Washingtonville and Millville quadrangles, Montour, Columbia, and Northumberland counties, Pennsylvania , retrieved July 22, 2014
↑ APPENDIX C FEMA STUDY (PDF), February 4, 2008, retrieved July 23, 2014
1 2 The Pennsylvania Science Office of The Nature Conservancy (2004), Columbia County Natural Areas Inventory 2004 (PDF), retrieved July 23, 2014

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[nationalmap-1] 1 2 3 United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer , retrieved July 23, 2014

[gaz-2] 1 2 Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, retrieved July 23, 2014

[tmdl-3] 1 2 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (January 8, 2013), HEMLOCK CREEK WATERSHED TMDL Columbia and Montour Counties (PDF), retrieved July 23, 2014

[columbiaccd-4] 1 2 Columbia County, Pennsylvania CHESAPEAKE BAY TRIBUTARY STRATEGY (PDF), March 2013, retrieved July 23, 2014

[5] Topographic Map Stream Features in Columbia County, Pennsylvania , retrieved July 23, 2014

[6] James H. Dolimpio (1990), Bedrock geologic map of the Washingtonville and Millville quadrangles, Montour, Columbia, and Northumberland counties, Pennsylvania , retrieved July 22, 2014

[7] APPENDIX C FEMA STUDY (PDF), February 4, 2008, retrieved July 23, 2014

[inventory-8] 1 2 The Pennsylvania Science Office of The Nature Conservancy (2004), Columbia County Natural Areas Inventory 2004 (PDF), retrieved July 23, 2014