Black Gut facts for kids
Black Gut (also known as "The Gut") is a small waterway, about 1.4 miles (2.25 kilometers) long. It connects the Susquehanna River to a smaller stream called Hartman Run. You can find it in York County, Pennsylvania, in the United States.
A "distributary" is like a branch of a river that flows away from the main river. Think of it as a river splitting into smaller parts.
What is Black Gut?
Black Gut is a natural channel that helps water move from one place to another. It's an important part of the local water system in York County.
Its History and Changes
Long ago, Black Gut was a branch of the Conewago Creek. It used to split off from the creek in a process called "bifurcation," which means a river divides into two or more parts. At that time, Black Gut helped separate two islands, Brunner Island and Lowe's Island, from the main land of York County. It flowed southeast and joined the Susquehanna River near a village called Saginaw.
How the Area Changed
Today, this old delta (where the river used to split and spread out) doesn't exist anymore. This is because of the growth and expansion of the Brunner Island Steam Electric Station. This power plant changed the landscape around the river.
Another branch, called the River Gut, also existed. It was about 0.5 miles (0.80 kilometers) long and connected the main "Gut" to the Susquehanna River. The River Gut also helped separate Brunner and Lowe's Island. However, this branch was eventually filled in. This filling-in joined Brunner Island and Lowe's Island into one larger island.
