Dry Creek (Martins Creek tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dry Creek |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | unnamed pond in Brooklyn Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania between 1,540 and 1,560 feet (470 and 480 m) |
| River mouth | Martins Creek in Lathrop Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania 876 ft (267 m) 41°43′08″N 75°46′07″W / 41.71893°N 75.76860°W |
| Length | 4.7 mi (7.6 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Martins Creek → Tunkhannock Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 3.32 sq mi (8.6 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Dry Creek is a small stream, or tributary, located in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It flows into another stream called Martins Creek. Dry Creek is about 4.7 miles (7.6 km) long. It travels through two areas: Brooklyn Township and Lathrop Township. The area of land that drains water into Dry Creek, called its watershed, is about 3.32 square miles (8.6 km2). This creek is a healthy place for fish, known as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.
Contents
Where Does Dry Creek Flow?
Dry Creek starts in a small, unnamed pond in Brooklyn Township. It flows south for a short distance. Then, it enters Jones Lake. While in Jones Lake, two smaller streams join it from the right side.
After leaving Jones Lake, the creek continues flowing south-southeast for a few miles. Along this path, it gains two more small streams from the left and two from the right. It then enters a valley, which is a low area between hills.
The creek then turns south, and its valley becomes narrower. After a short distance, it turns south-southwest. It then enters Lathrop Township. Soon after, Dry Creek meets Martins Creek. This meeting point is about 7.73 miles (12.44 km) upstream from where Martins Creek itself ends.
Understanding Dry Creek's Water
Dry Creek is considered a healthy waterbody. This means it is not listed as "impaired," which would mean it has pollution or other problems. The creek does not flow all the time. It is an intermittent stream, meaning it only flows into Martins Creek during certain seasons, like after heavy rain or snowmelt.
Land and Rocks Around the Creek
The land around Dry Creek has interesting features. Near where Dry Creek joins Martins Creek, the elevation is about 876 feet (267 m) above sea level. Where Dry Creek begins, its source, the elevation is higher, between 1,540 and 1,560 feet (470 and 480 m) above sea level.
The ground in the valley of Dry Creek is mostly made of a type of till called Wisconsinan Till. This is a mix of clay, sand, and rocks left behind by glaciers. There are also large areas of alluvium, which is soil deposited by flowing water. You can also find a small peat bog, which is a wetland with spongy, acidic soil. In the upper parts of the creek, near its source, the ground is almost entirely Wisconsinan Till, except for Jones Lake.
Life and Land in the Watershed
The watershed of Dry Creek covers an area of 3.32 square miles (8.6 km2). A watershed is all the land where water drains into a particular stream or river. The end of the creek is in a map area called the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Hop Bottom. However, its beginning is in the quadrangle of Montrose East. The mouth of the creek is less than 1 mile (1.6 km) from the town of Hop Bottom.
Dry Creek is important for aquatic life, meaning it supports plants and animals that live in water. The creek is known as a Coldwater Fishery. This means its water is cold enough for certain types of fish, like trout, to live there. It is also a Migratory Fishery, which means fish travel through it during their migrations.
A Bit of History
Dry Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of names and locations of places in the United States. Its special identification number in the system is 1173498.
