Aquetong Creek (Delaware River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aquetong Creek |
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The falls and millpond at Aquetong Creek in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
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 Aquetong Creek
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| Other name(s) | Great Spring Creek |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Bucks |
| Township | Solebury |
| Borough | New Hope |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 180 feet (55 m) 40°20′34″N 75°0′26″W / 40.34278°N 75.00722°W |
| River mouth | Aquetong Lake 49 feet (15 m) 40°21′43″N 74°56′59″W / 40.36194°N 74.94972°W |
| Length | 2.52 miles (4.06 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Aquetong Creek → Delaware River → Delaware Bay |
| River system | Delaware River |
| Bridges | South Sugan Road West Mechanic Street Stockton Avenue Pennsylvania Route 32 (River Road) |
| Slope | 51.98 feet per mile (9.845 m/km) |
Aquetong Creek is a small but important stream in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It flows through Solebury Township and New Hope. This creek starts from a special spring called Aquetong Spring, which is now known as Ingham Spring. It then travels about 2.52 miles (4.06 kilometers) before joining the Delaware River.
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A Look Back: History of Aquetong Creek
The land around Aquetong Creek was once home to the Lenape people. They lived here until the area became part of the Penn colony. The Lenape called the spring "Achewetong," which means "at the spring among the bushes." A Lenape village was located at the spring until around 1690.
Early Land Ownership
In 1710, James Logan was granted 600 acres (243 hectares) of land. This land included the area around the spring. Around the same time, Robert and Richard Heath built a gristmill along the Aquetong. A gristmill is a place where grain is ground into flour.
Mills and Industry
In 1710, Richard Heath received 1,000 acres (405 hectares) of land. This land stretched from the Aquetong's meeting point with the Delaware River. A fulling mill was built by Phillip Williams as early as 1712. A fulling mill cleans and thickens wool fabric. The first sawmill, which cuts wood, appeared on the Aquetong in 1740.
The Ingham Family's Influence
In 1747, Jonathan Ingham bought the Logan land. He built a fulling mill near the spring. His son, Dr. Jonathan Ingham, and then his grandson, Samuel D. Ingham, took over the property. Samuel D. Ingham became famous as the United States Secretary of the Treasury for President Jackson. He took possession of the land in 1800.
Samuel Ingham likely stopped using the fulling mill. Instead, he built the Ingham Springs Paper Mill. This mill made paper until he passed away in 1860.
The Great Spring and Lake
Aquetong Spring, also known as Ingham Spring or the Great Spring, was very powerful. It was said to flow as much as 3 million gallons (11.3 million liters) of water per day. The spring's water flowed a short distance to a dam built in 1870. This dam created Aquetong Lake, also called Aquetong Pond. The water then continued its journey as Aquetong Creek towards the Delaware River. Recently, the dam has been removed. This was done to return the pond area to its natural state before the dam was built.
Creek Facts: Statistics and Course
The area that drains into Aquetong Creek is called its drainage basin. This basin covers about 8.01 square miles (20.75 square kilometers). It includes parts of Solebury Township and the Borough of New Hope. The creek has a special identification number, 1168359, from the Geographic Names Information System.
Where Aquetong Creek Flows
Aquetong Creek begins at Aquetong Spring. This is near U.S. Route 202 and Lower Mountain in Solebury Township. It starts at an elevation of 180 feet (55 meters) above sea level. The creek generally flows eastward. It receives water from one smaller stream on its left side.
The creek then meets the Delaware River. This meeting point is at the Delaware River's 148.5-mile mark. At this point, the elevation is 49 feet (15 meters). This means the creek drops about 51.98 feet for every mile it travels.
Towns Along the Creek
Aquetong Creek flows through two main areas in Bucks County:
- Solebury Township
- New Hope
Bridges Over Aquetong Creek
Several bridges cross Aquetong Creek, helping people and cars get around:
- Pennsylvania Route 32 (South Main Street)
- Stockton Avenue
- West Mechanic Street
- South Sugan Road
- Reeder Road
