Ashelman Run facts for kids

Ashelman Run is a small stream, or tributary, located in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Coles Creek. This stream is about 0.7 miles (1.1 kilometers) long. It flows through an area called Sugarloaf Township.

The area of land that drains into Ashelman Run is about 0.57 square miles (1.48 square kilometers). The stream is known as a Coldwater Fishery, which means its waters are cold enough for certain types of fish to live there. Ashelman Run gets its name from Daniel Ashelman, who lived nearby in the early 1800s.

Where Does Ashelman Run Flow?

Ashelman Run starts in a large pond in Sugarloaf Township. This pond is at the southern base of a place called Central Mountain. From there, the stream flows southwest for a short distance. It even goes under Pennsylvania Route 118.

After crossing the road, the stream turns and flows towards the south-southeast. A little further downstream, another small, unnamed stream joins Ashelman Run from its left side. Eventually, Ashelman Run meets and joins Coles Creek. It joins Coles Creek about 3.54 miles (5.70 kilometers) upstream from where Coles Creek itself ends.

What Are Ashelman Run's Tributaries?

Ashelman Run has no named smaller streams that flow into it. However, it does have one unnamed stream that joins it along its path.

What Is the Land Like Around Ashelman Run?

The land around Ashelman Run has interesting features. Near where the stream joins Coles Creek, the elevation is about 1,033 feet (315 meters) above sea level. Where the stream begins, its elevation is a bit higher, between 1,160 and 1,180 feet (350 and 360 meters) above sea level.

For most of its length, Ashelman Run flows over a type of soil and rock called glacial till. This specific type is known as the Wisconsinan Till. It was left behind by glaciers long ago and is usually more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) thick.

However, closer to where the stream ends, it flows over a different type of ground called alluvium. This alluvium is made up of layers of silt, sand, and gravel. It is about 6 feet (1.8 meters) thick. Near its start, where it crosses Pennsylvania Route 118, the stream also goes through a small area of fill.

How Big Is the Ashelman Run Watershed?

The watershed of Ashelman Run covers an area of about 0.57 square miles (1.48 square kilometers). A watershed is all the land where water drains into a particular stream or river. This stream is located in the northeastern part of Sugarloaf Township.

There are also two small lakes within the watershed of Ashelman Run. One lake is in the middle part of the watershed, and the other is closer to where the stream begins.

How Did Ashelman Run Get Its Name?

Ashelman Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system helps keep track of names for places like streams and mountains. Its special identification number in the system is 1168447.

The stream is named after Daniel Ashelman. He likely moved to the area near the stream in the early 1800s from a place called the Wyoming Flats. Daniel Ashelman also built a log cabin very close to the stream. Even as late as 1982, the land near Ashelman Run was still owned by the Ashelman family.

What Kind of Life Is in Ashelman Run?

Ashelman Run is a special place for fish. Wild trout naturally live and reproduce in the stream, from its very beginning to where it joins Coles Creek. Because of this, the stream is officially called a Coldwater Fishery. This means it's an important habitat for fish that need cold, clean water to survive.