White Hall Creek

White Hall Creek
	White Hall Creek looking downstream
Physical characteristics
Main source	base of a hill in Madison Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania; between 900 and 920 feet (270 and 280 m)
River mouth	East Branch Chillisquaque Creek in Derry Township, Montour County, Pennsylvania; 545 ft (166 m); 41°05′02″N76°38′59″W / 41.08382°N 76.64975°W Coordinates: 41°05′02″N76°38′59″W / 41.08382°N 76.64975°W
Length	3.8 mi (6.1 km)
Basin features
Progression	East Branch Chillisquaque Creek → Chillisquaque Creek → West Branch Susquehanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay
Basin size	2.31 sq mi (6.0 km2)
Tributaries	Left:; three unnamed tributaries ;

Last updated April 29, 2019

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.^[1] 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.

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.

East Branch Chillisquaque Creek is a tributary of Chillisquaque Creek in Columbia County and Montour County in Pennsylvania, United States. It is approximately 6.2 miles (10.0 km) long and flows through Madison Township, Columbia County and Derry Township, Montour County. At its mouth, it combines with Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek to form Chillisquaque Creek. White Hall Creek is a tributary of East Branch Chillisquaque Creek. The creek's watershed has an area of 9.75 square miles (25.3 km²). It is situated over sandstone and shale. The main land uses in the watershed include forested land and agricultural land, although there are some areas of wetlands and open water as well.

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

White Hall Creek begins at the base of a hill in Madison Township, Columbia County. It flows south-southwest for a short distance before turning south-southeast for a short distance. The creek then turns south-southwest for several tenths of a mile, exiting Columbia County.^[1]

Upon exiting Columbia County, White Hall Creek enters Anthony Township, Montour County. It turns south-southwest for several tenths of a mile, crossing Pennsylvania Route 44 and receiving an unnamed tributary from the left. The creek then turns west-southwest for a few tenths of a mile, receiving another unnamed tributary from the left before turning south. After some distance, it receives a third unnamed tributary from the left and several tenths of a mile further downstream, it turns west-southwest. After a short distance, the creek reaches its confluence with East Branch Chillisquaque Creek.^[1]

Pennsylvania Route 44 is a 149.24 mi (240.18 km)-long state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route is designated from Interstate 80 and Pennsylvania Route 42 in Buckhorn to the New York state line near New York State Route 417 in Ceres Township.

White Hall Creek joins East Branch Chillisquaque Creek 0.94 miles (1.51 km) upstream of its mouth.^[2]

Hydrology

The entire length of White Hall Creek and all the other streams in its watershed are designated as impaired waterbodies. The cause of the impairment is siltation and the source is agriculture.^[3]

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.

Geography and geology

The elevation near the mouth of White Hall Creek is 545 feet (166 m) above sea level.^[4] The elevation of the creek's source is between 900 and 920 feet (270 and 280 m) above sea level.^[1]

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.

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.

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.

Watershed and biology

The watershed of White Hall Creek has an area of 2.31 square miles (6.0 km²).^[2] The mouth of the creek is in the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Washingtonville. However, its source is in the quadrangle of Hugesville. The creek also passes through the quadrangle of Millville.^[4] There are a total of 5.43 miles (8.74 km) of streams in the watershed.^[3]

White Hall Creek is designated as a Warmwater Fishery.^[5] The water quality of the creek would be improved by the addition of further riparian buffering in some reaches.^[6]

History

White Hall Creek was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1191276.^[4]

A bridge carrying Preserve Road over White Hall Creek was built in 1937. It was 17 feet (5.2 m) long and was located 3.5 miles (5.6 km) east of Pennsylvania Route 54 in Anthony Township, Montour County. However, by 2012, a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation bridge crew had replaced the bridge with a precast concrete box culvert.^[7]

White Hall Creek was listed as impaired in 1998. The total maximum daily load date is 2011.^[8]

Related Research Articles

Chillisquaque Creek is a tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Montour County and Northumberland County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 20.2 miles (32.5 km) long and flows through Derry Township, Washingtonville, and Liberty Township in Montour County and East Chillisquaque Township and West Chillisquaque Township in Northumberland County. The watershed of the creek has an area of 112 square miles (290 km²). Agricultural impacts have caused most of the streams in the watershed of the creek to be impaired. Causes of impairment include sedimentation/siltation and habitat alteration. The average annual discharge of the creek between 1980 and 2014 ranged from 48.2 to 146.0 cubic feet per second. Its watershed mainly consists of rolling agricultural land. The creek's channel flows through rock formations consisting of sandstone and shale. It is a warmwater stream.

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.

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.

Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek is a tributary of Chillisquaque Creek in Columbia County and Montour County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 5.2 miles (8.4 km) long and flows through Madison Township in Columbia County and Anthony and Derry Townships in Montour County. The creek's watershed has an area of 9.64 square miles (25.0 km²). There are 14.35 miles (23.09 km) of streams in the watershed. Lake Chillisquaque is also in the creek. There are 122 features classified as "disturbances" on Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek. Two bridges more than 20 feet (6.1 m) long cross the creek.

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. 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.

Beaver Run is a tributary of Chillisquaque Creek in Montour County and Northumberland County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 6.2 miles (10.0 km) long and flows through Liberty Township in Montour County and East Chillisquaque Township in Northumberland County. The watershed of the stream has an area of 12.0 square miles (31 km²). Reaches of the stream are designated as impaired due to siltation caused by agriculture. Numerous bridges have been constructed across it and it lacks a riparian buffer in some reaches.

McKee Run is a tributary of County Line Branch in Montour County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.1 miles (6.6 km) long and flows through Anthony Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.68 square miles (6.9 km²). The stream is designated as impaired by siltation and removal of vegetation due to agriculture. Land uses in the watershed include forested land, croplands, and pastures. A number of bridges cross the stream.

Fitch Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.0 miles (3.2 km) long and flows through Falls Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 2.52 square miles (6.5 km²). The creek is not designated as an impaired waterbody. Its drainage basin is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Kern Glen Creek is a tributary of Billings Mill Brook in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.1 miles (5.0 km) long and flows through Lemon Township and Tunkhannock Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 2.71 square miles (7.0 km²). The creek is not designated as an impaired waterbody. The surficial geology in its vicinity mostly consists of Wisconsinan Till.

Monroe Creek is a tributary of Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County and Wyoming County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 6.1 miles (9.8 km) long and flows through Springville Township in Susquehanna County and Nicholson Township in Wyoming County. The watershed of the creek has an area of 6.64 square miles (17.2 km²). The creek is not designated as an impaired waterbody. The surficial geology in its vicinity consists mostly of alluvium, Wisconsinan Till, and other things. Its watershed is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Glade Run is a tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Northumberland County and Lycoming County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 6.5 miles (10.5 km) long and flows through Lewis Township in Northumberland County and Muncy Creek Township and Muncy in Lycoming County. The watershed of the stream has an area of 7.63 square miles (19.8 km²). The stream is not designated as an impaired waterbody. An Indian path known as the Wyoming Path was historically in the stream's vicinity. More recently, a number of bridges have been constructed over Glade Run. The stream's watershed is designated as a Warmwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Silver Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 6.1 miles (9.8 km) long and flows through Washington Township and Union Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 5.92 square miles (15.3 km²). The creek has no named tributaries, but it does have several unnamed tributaries. Many of these, as well as Silver Creek itself, are impaired by sedimentation/siltation due to grazing-related agriculture. The watershed is partly or fully in the Ridge and Valley physiographic province.

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 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.

Hoffer Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.1 miles (5.0 km) long and flows through Chapman Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 2.34 square miles (6.1 km²). At least part of the creek is designated as an impaired waterbody due to sedimentation/siltation from grazing-related agriculture. The creek is in the ridge and valley physiographic province, and the geology consists mostly of intermedded sedimentary rock and sandstone.

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.

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. 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.

Tower Branch is a tributary of Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.8 miles (7.7 km) long and flows through Harford Township and Lenox Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 3.69 square miles (9.6 km²). The stream is not designated as an impaired waterbody and has no named tributaries. The surficial geology in its vicinity consists mainly of Wisconsinan Till, alluvium, with some lakes, wetlands, bedrock, and alluvial fan. The stream's drainage basin is classified as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Dundaff Creek is a tributary of East Branch Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County and Lackawanna County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 6.7 miles (10.8 km) long and flows through Clifford Township in Susquehanna County and Greenfield Township in Lackawanna County. The watershed of the creek has an area of 10.3 square miles (27 km²). The creek has no named tributaries and is not designated as an impaired waterbody.

References

1 2 3 4 United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer , retrieved July 10, 2015
1 2 Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, p. 150, retrieved July 10, 2014
1 2 Montour County Conservation District (December 2009), Montour County Implementation Plan For The Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy (PDF), pp. 4, 8, retrieved July 10, 2015
1 2 3 Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: White Hall Creek , retrieved July 10, 2015
↑ Columbia County, Pennsylvania CHESAPEAKE BAY TRIBUTARY STRATEGY (PDF), March 2013, p. 6, retrieved July 11, 2015
↑ Pennsylvania Science Office of The Nature Conservancy (2005), MONTOUR COUNTY NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY 2005 (PDF), p. 40, retrieved July 10, 2015
↑ Montour Bridge, WHLM, August 2012, retrieved July 11, 2015
↑ 2014 Pennsylvania Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report - Streams, Category 5 Waterbodies, Pollutants Requiring a TMDL, 2014, p. 257, retrieved July 11, 2015

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[nationalmap-1] 1 2 3 4 United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer , retrieved July 10, 2015

[gaz-2] 1 2 Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, p. 150, retrieved July 10, 2014

[MontourCIP-3] 1 2 Montour County Conservation District (December 2009), Montour County Implementation Plan For The Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy (PDF), pp. 4, 8, retrieved July 10, 2015

[gnis-4] 1 2 3 Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: White Hall Creek , retrieved July 10, 2015

[5] Columbia County, Pennsylvania CHESAPEAKE BAY TRIBUTARY STRATEGY (PDF), March 2013, p. 6, retrieved July 11, 2015

[6] Pennsylvania Science Office of The Nature Conservancy (2005), MONTOUR COUNTY NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY 2005 (PDF), p. 40, retrieved July 10, 2015

[7] Montour Bridge, WHLM, August 2012, retrieved July 11, 2015

[8] 2014 Pennsylvania Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report - Streams, Category 5 Waterbodies, Pollutants Requiring a TMDL, 2014, p. 257, retrieved July 11, 2015