Beech Creek (Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Beech Creek is a stream in Pennsylvania, USA. It flows for about 27.3 miles (44 kilometers). This creek is a smaller stream that flows into a larger one, called Bald Eagle Creek. You can find Beech Creek in Centre and Clinton counties.
The water from Beech Creek travels a long way! First, it joins Bald Eagle Creek. Then, it flows into the West Branch Susquehanna River. From there, it goes into the big Susquehanna River. Finally, all that water reaches the Chesapeake Bay.
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Where Beech Creek Begins and Ends
Beech Creek starts when two smaller streams meet. These are called the North Fork and the South Fork. This meeting point is about 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) upstream from a place called Kato.
The creek then flows for its full length of 27.3 miles (44 kilometers). It eventually joins Bald Eagle Creek. This happens about 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometers) downstream from the town of Beech Creek. An old, unused railroad track, from the Beech Creek Railroad, follows the creek along its entire path.
A Look Back in Time
Long ago, Beech Creek was sometimes called the North Branch of the Bald Eagle. It was very important for the lumber industry. This means people used the creek to move cut trees. To help with this, they built canals next to the stream. These canals made it easier to transport wood, especially when the water level was low in the summer.
Towns Along the Creek
You can find a few places located right along Beech Creek:
- The town of Beech Creek (a borough).
- The village of Orviston, which is in Centre County.
- The village of Monument, which is in both Centre and Clinton Counties.
The creek also flows through different areas called townships:
- Beech Creek Township in Clinton County.
- Liberty Township in Centre County.
- Curtain Township in Centre County.
Nature and Wildlife
Even though parts of Beech Creek have faced challenges, nature is slowly returning. The upper parts of the creek are especially full of life.
Plants and Trees
Along the banks of Beech Creek, you can see many types of plants and trees.
- Trees: Beech, oak, maple, ash, trembling willow, and sumac trees grow here.
- Other Plants: You might also spot elephant ear tall grass, ferns, barberry bushes, and even skunk cabbage.
Animals You Might See
Many different animals live near Beech Creek, especially in its upper areas.
- Mammals: Bears, squirrels, groundhogs, deer, and skunks are common.
- Other Wildlife: You might also find frogs, wolf spiders, and snakes.
- Birds: Keep an eye out for bald eagles flying overhead!
Animals often prefer to drink from the smaller streams that flow into Beech Creek. This is because of some natural conditions in the main creek's water.
Water and Rocks
Beech Creek has many interesting rocks. You can find lots of sandstones, flint, and granite. In some places, you might even see clay.
There are also active sulfur springs on Beech Creek Mountain. These are natural spots where water with sulfur comes out of the ground.
Swimming and Recreation
Beech Creek can be a good place for swimming. However, some areas along the stream have signs. These signs mean that swimming is not allowed in those specific spots. Always look for signs and follow them to stay safe.
