Chapman Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chapman Creek |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | valley in Union Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania 785 ft (239 m) |
| River mouth | Susquehanna River in Port Trevorton on the border between Chapman Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania and Union Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania 400 ft (120 m) 40°41′01″N 76°53′07″W / 40.6837°N 76.8854°W |
| Length | 4.2 mi (6.8 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 2.81 sq mi (7.3 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Chapman Creek is a small tributary (a smaller stream that flows into a larger one) of the Susquehanna River. It is located in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The creek is about 4.2 miles (6.8 km) long. It flows through two areas called Union Township and Chapman Township.
The area of land that drains into Chapman Creek is called its watershed. This watershed covers about 2.81 square miles (7.3 km2). Chapman Creek does not have any named smaller streams flowing into it. It is also considered a healthy waterbody, meaning it's not polluted. The creek's watershed is a special place for fish. It is known as a Warmwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's a good home for fish that like warmer water and for fish that travel (migrate) through it.
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Where Chapman Creek Flows
Chapman Creek starts in a valley in Union Township. It flows generally south, winding its way through the land. For a short distance, it flows south-southwest. Then it turns to flow south-southeast. As it flows, the creek starts to follow the border between Union Township and Chapman Township.
The creek receives water from several smaller, unnamed streams. These are like tiny helpers that add water to the main creek. It flows southeast for about a mile, getting water from three unnamed streams on its left side. Then it turns south-southeast. It enters the town area of Port Trevorton. Here, it gets another unnamed stream from its left.
Chapman Creek continues to flow southeast. It receives another unnamed stream from its left side. After a while, it leaves its valley. It then crosses a major road, US Route 11/US Route 15. The creek then gently curves for a short distance. Finally, it reaches its end, flowing into the much larger Susquehanna River.
Creek's Water and Land
The land around Chapman Creek changes in height. The place where the creek starts, its source, is about 785 feet (239 m) above sea level. Where it meets the Susquehanna River, its mouth, the elevation is lower, about 400 feet (120 m) above sea level.
There have been ideas to help protect the banks of Chapman Creek. One idea was to make the streambanks stronger. This would stop the land from washing away, which is called erosion. This project would use large rocks, called riprap, or wire cages filled with rocks, called gabion baskets. These materials help hold the soil in place.
It's good news that Chapman Creek is not listed as an "impaired waterbody." This means that the water quality is good. It is healthy enough to support the plants and animals that live there.
Chapman Creek's Watershed
The watershed of Chapman Creek is the entire area of land where all the rain and snowmelt eventually drain into the creek. This area is about 2.81 square miles (7.3 km2). The creek is located entirely within a specific map area called the Dalmatia quadrangle. The mouth of the creek is less than 1 mile (1.6 km) from the town of Chapman.
Chapman Creek is one of the important streams in both Chapman Township and Union Township. It actually forms the southern border of Union Township. It also forms the northern border of Chapman Township.
As mentioned before, the watershed of Chapman Creek is special. It is designated as a Warmwater Fishery. This means it's a good place for fish that prefer warmer water. It's also a Migratory Fishery, which means it's important for fish that travel through the area. The main purpose of Chapman Creek, in terms of its use, is to support aquatic life. This means it's a home for many different water-dwelling plants and animals.
History of Chapman Creek
Chapman Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of names and locations of physical features like rivers and mountains. Its special identification number in this system is 1171572.
At one point, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation planned a project involving Chapman Creek. They wanted to replace an old bridge that carried State Route 2013 over the creek. They planned to build a new, stronger bridge using a reinforced concrete box culvert. A culvert is like a tunnel that allows water to flow under a road or railway. This project was designed so it would not harm the creek itself.
