Gallows Run (Delaware River tributary) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gallows Run
Gallows Run
Native name	Pereletakon
Other name(s)	Gallows Hill Run, Kintnersville Creek
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Bucks
Townhship	Springfield
Township	Nockamixon
Physical characteristics
Main source	740 feet (230 m) 40°32′39″N 75°13′58″W / 40.54417°N 75.23278°W / 40.54417; -75.23278
River mouth	141 feet (43 m) 40°33′39″N 75°10′16″W / 40.56083°N 75.17111°W / 40.56083; -75.17111
Length	5.25 miles (8.45 km)
Basin features
Progression	Gallows Run→Delaware River
River system	Delaware River
Basin size	8.72 square miles (22.6 km2)
Bridges	Buckwampum Road, Hunter Road, Gallows Hill Road, Traugers Crossing Road (two passes), Kintners Road, Pennsylvania Route 611 (Easton Road)

Gallows Run is a small stream, also known as Pereletakon, Gallows Hill Run, or Kintnersville Creek. It flows through Springfield and Nockamixon Townships in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This creek is a tributary of the much larger Delaware River.

Facts About Gallows Run

Gallows Run was officially recognized by the U.S. Geological Survey on August 2, 1979. It's listed with the identification number 1175398. The stream is also found in the Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams.

How Long is Gallows Run?

The total length of Gallows Run is about 5.25 miles (8.45 km). It starts at an elevation of 740 feet (230 m) and ends at 141 feet (43 m). This means the water drops about 599 feet (183 m) from its start to its end. On average, the creek drops about 114 feet for every mile it flows.

What is a Watershed?

The land area that drains water into a river, lake, or ocean is called a watershed. Gallows Run has a watershed of 8.72 square miles (22.6 km²). All the rain and snow that falls in this area eventually flows into Gallows Run. The creek joins the Delaware River at its 171.8 river mile mark.

Where Does Gallows Run Flow?

Gallows Run begins on the southern side of Buckwampum Mountain in Springfield Township.

The Creek's Journey

• First, it flows south for about 0.66 miles (1.06 km).
• Then, it turns and flows east-northeast for about 1.4 miles (2.3 km). Along this part, it gets water from a smaller stream joining from the left.
• Next, it flows southeast. After about 0.75 miles (1.21 km), another small stream joins it from the right.
• It then turns east for about 0.7 miles (1.1 km). Here, it enters Nockamixon Township and another stream joins from the left.
• Continuing northeast for 0.37 miles (0.60 km), it makes a sharp turn north. Two more streams join it from the right side.
• As it goes north, it receives water from a stream on the left, then one from the right, and finally another from the left.
• The creek then curves to the right and eventually meets the Pennsylvania Canal (Delaware Division).

The History of Gallows Run

Gallows Run has had a few different names over time. It was sometimes called Gallows Hill Run. The lower part of the creek was also known as Kintnersville Creek.

Old Names and Stories

The name Pereletakon comes from the Lenape people. A very old document from 1727, about the Durham Iron Works, mentions this name.

William J. Buck was one of the first people to try and explain how the names "Gallows Hill" and "Gallows Run" came about.

The Walking Purchase Story

Warren S. Ely, a librarian, shared a popular story. It says that during the Walking Purchase, one of the runners, Edward Marshall, broke his "gallowses" (which were like suspenders for trousers) while jumping over the creek. He supposedly hung them on a tree branch, and that's how the name "Gallows Run" came to be. Marshall himself mentioned "Gallows Hill" in a statement he made in 1757. This story is quite old, as a will from 1741 also mentions "Gallows Hill," just four years after the "walk" happened.

An Ancient Village Site

Near where Gallows Run flows into the Delaware River, there was once a large Lenape village called Pechoqueolin. John A. Ruth discovered this important native village. He shared his findings with the Bucks County Historical Society in 1886. It was one of the biggest native villages found in Bucks County.

The Geology of Gallows Run

The land around Gallows Run is part of two main geological areas: the Appalachian Highlands Division and the Atlantic Plain.

Types of Rocks and Soil

• Quartz Fanglomerate: Where Gallows Run starts, the ground is made of this rock. It formed during the Triassic and Jurassic periods. It's a mix of large and small pieces of quartzite, sandstone, and other rocks, all stuck together in red sand.
• Brunswick Formation: As the creek flows east, it passes through an area with the Brunswick Formation. This rock also formed during the Triassic and Jurassic times. It's made of mudstone and siltstone with layers of shale. You can also find minerals like argillite and hornfels here.
• Trenton Gravel: Closer to the Delaware River, the creek flows over Trenton Gravel. This material is much younger, formed during the Quaternary period (our current geological age). It's made of sand, clay, and silt.

Bridges Over Gallows Run

Several roads cross over Gallows Run. Here are some of the bridges: