Bargers Run facts for kids

Bargers Run is a cool stream, also known as Bergers Run or Wildcat Creek. It's a tributary (which means it flows into) the big Susquehanna River in Perry County, Pennsylvania. This stream is about 5.9 miles (9.5 km) long. It winds its way through Greenwood Township, Liverpool Township, and the town of Liverpool. The area of land that drains into Bargers Run, called its watershed, covers about 13.0 square miles (34 km²). Bargers Run has two smaller streams that flow into it: Spruce Run and Barger Run.

Where Does Bargers Run Flow?

Bargers Run starts in a valley near the southern side of Wildcat Ridge. This is in Greenwood Township. It flows east-northeast for a bit, then enters Liverpool Township. The stream then turns east-southeast and later southeast, moving away from Wildcat Ridge.

As it continues, Bargers Run turns east-northeast for a few miles. It picks up water from a few smaller streams along the way, including Spruce Run. After that, it turns northeast and gets another stream, Barger Run, joining it. Finally, it turns south-southeast, then northeast, and then east, entering the town of Liverpool. In Liverpool, the stream flows east, crosses a highway (US Routes 11 and 15), and then joins the Susquehanna River. Bargers Run meets the Susquehanna River about 100.24 miles (161.32 km) upstream from the Susquehanna's mouth.

What's the Land Like Around Bargers Run?

How High is Bargers Run?

The land where Bargers Run meets the Susquehanna River is about 377 feet (115 m) above sea level. Where the stream begins, its source, the elevation is higher, around 649 feet (198 m) above sea level. This difference in height helps the water flow downhill.

What Kind of Rocks Are There?

You can find red sandstone rocks in the valley around Bargers Run. These rocks are part of something called the Catskill Formation.

What is the Bargers Run Watershed?

Understanding a Watershed

A watershed is like a giant funnel. It's all the land area where rain and snowmelt drain into a specific stream, river, or lake. The watershed of Bargers Run covers about 13.0 square miles (34 km²).

Where is the Watershed Located?

The Bargers Run watershed is mostly in the northwestern part of Perry County. It's next to the watersheds of other streams. Some of these other streams flow into the Juniata River. However, Bargers Run is one of several smaller streams in Perry County that flow directly into the Susquehanna River. It's an important stream for Liverpool Township and also drains a small part of eastern Greenwood Township.

History and Name of Bargers Run

How Did Bargers Run Get Its Name?

Bargers Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its official ID number is 1168707. On some maps from the United States Geological Survey, it's also called Bergers Run or Wildcat Creek. However, back in 1959, people living nearby said they only knew it as "Bargers Run." The name "Bargers Run" has been used since the early 1800s!

Cool Bridges Over the Stream

There are several bridges that cross Bargers Run. One famous one is the Red Covered Bridge. It was built in 1886 on the edge of Liverpool. This bridge is 55 feet (17 m) long, making it the shortest covered bridge in Perry County.

Other bridges include:

• A concrete bridge on Front Street in Liverpool, built in 1922. It's 39.0 feet (11.9 m) long.
• A steel bridge for T-544, built in 1940, which is 24.9 feet (7.6 m) long.
• A concrete slab bridge for State Route 1010, built in 1950, 25.9 feet (7.9 m) long.
• A concrete culvert bridge for Red Bridge Road, built in 1961, 29.9 feet (9.1 m) long.
• A modern bridge for US Routes 11 and 15, built in Liverpool in 2000, which is 60.0 feet (18.3 m) long.

Fish and Wildlife in Bargers Run

What Kind of Fish Live Here?

The watershed of Bargers Run is known as a Warmwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's a good home for fish that like warmer water, and it's also a place where fish travel through during their migrations.

Keeping the Stream Healthy

In the past, there was an incident in August 1984 where pollution from a farm caused many fish to die in a part of Bargers Run. This sad event showed how important it is to protect our streams and rivers from pollution.

To help protect the fish, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission made some rules in 2016 for a section of Bargers Run. These rules mean that between May 1 and June 17, you cannot try to catch bass fish at all. For the rest of the year, if you do catch a bass, you must immediately release it back into the water. This practice, called catch and release, helps make sure there are always enough fish in the stream for the future.