Fester Hollow facts for kids
Fester Hollow is a stream located in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It flows into another stream called West Branch Briar Creek. This stream is about 4.54 miles (7.31 km) long.
Fester Hollow was likely named sometime before 1860. It got its name from John Fester, who was a farmer and owned land in the area.
The ground beneath the Fester Hollow area is made up of different kinds of rocks. These include shale, siltstone, and limestone. The entire area that drains water into Fester Hollow is about 4.54 square miles. The average amount of water flowing in the stream is 3.54 cubic feet per second. The average pH of the water is 7.66, which means it's a bit alkaline.
Contents
The Stream's Path
Fester Hollow starts in the northeastern part of North Centre Township. Its source is on the southern side of Knob Mountain.
The stream flows generally towards the southeast. It crosses Pennsylvania Route 93 and then runs alongside it for a short distance. Along this path, it goes past a cemetery. When Route 93 turns east, Fester Hollow keeps flowing south-southeast. It then passes near the community of Fowlersville before finally joining West Branch Briar Creek.
Water Quality and Climate
The amount of water flowing in Fester Hollow changes a lot. In its lower parts, the flow can be anywhere from 0.75 to 34 cubic feet per second. On average, the stream flows at 3.54 cubic feet per second.
Water Temperature
The water temperature in Fester Hollow varies throughout the year. The coldest it gets is about 34.4 °F (1.3 °C), and the warmest it gets is about 70.7 °F (21.5 °C). The average temperature is 54.4 °F (12.4 °C). Often, the water in Fester Hollow is warmer than what is needed for a stream to be a good home for cold-water fish.
Water Chemistry (pH and Dissolved Solids)
The water in Fester Hollow has an average electrical conductivity of 89 milli-siemens. This measures how well the water conducts electricity. The highest it has been recorded is 351 milli-siemens, and the lowest is 69 milli-siemens.
The pH of Fester Hollow's water ranges from 7.06 to 9.17. The average pH is 7.66. With a maximum pH of 9.17, it is the most alkaline (or basic) stream in the entire Briar Creek area. The amount of dissolved solids in the water, which are tiny bits of minerals and other substances, ranges from 34 to 169 parts per million. The average is 44 parts per million. The stream also has higher levels of nitrates than what is considered ideal.
Overall Water Health
In 2012, a group called the Briar Creek Association for Watershed Solutions checked the health of Fester Hollow. They looked at things like how stable the streambanks were and the quality of the plants along the stream. The stream was given a score of 5.4 out of 10. This score means that the water quality was considered "poor."
Land and Rocks
The land around Fester Hollow is part of the ridge and valley geographical region of the Appalachian Mountains. This means there are many hills and valleys.
Types of Rocks and Soil
In the southern part of the Fester Hollow area, the ground is made of calcareous shale and a small amount of limestone. North of this, there is a band of shale rock. The northern and central parts of the area have siltstone as their main bedrock. Near the lower parts of the stream, you can find a type of soil called Zipp Series, which is a silt loam.
Elevation
The lower parts of Fester Hollow are about 194 metres (636 ft) above sea level. This is how high the land is compared to the ocean.
The Stream's Surrounding Area
The area that drains water into Fester Hollow is called its watershed. Most of this watershed is located in North Centre Township. However, a small part in the northeastern corner is in Briar Creek Township.
Major roads in the Fester Hollow watershed include Mountain Road and Pennsylvania Route 93. The total area of the stream's watershed is 4.54 square miles.
Animals and Plants
Fish and Wildlife
Wild trout are found living and reproducing along the entire length of Fester Hollow. This means the stream is a good habitat for these fish to lay their eggs and for young trout to grow.
Forests
The forests along Fester Hollow connect to the larger forests on Knob Mountain. These connected forest areas are important for wildlife.
