Gillespie Run (Youghiogheny River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gillespie Run |
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Location of Gillespie Run mouth
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| Other name(s) | Tributary to Youghiogheny River |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Allegheny |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Beckets Run divide about 2 miles west-southwest of Mustard, Pennsylvania 1,115 ft (340 m) 40°13′28″N 079°51′34″W / 40.22444°N 79.85944°W |
| River mouth | Youghiogheny River Sutersville, Pennsylvania 738 ft (225 m) 40°14′31″N 079°48′13″W / 40.24194°N 79.80361°W |
| Length | 4.11 mi (6.61 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | generally northeast |
| River system | Monongahela River |
| Basin size | 8.32 square miles (21.5 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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| Bridges | Pond Lane, Guffey Road, PA 51, Scenery Drive, Pineview Drive (x4), Berdar Drive, Douglass Run Road (x2) |
Gillespie Run is a small stream, about 4.11 miles (6.61 km) long, located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. It's a "tributary," which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger one. Gillespie Run flows into the Youghiogheny River.
What is Gillespie Run?
Gillespie Run is called a "3rd order tributary." This means it's part of a network of streams. Imagine tiny streams (1st order) flowing into slightly bigger ones (2nd order), and those flow into even bigger ones (3rd order), like Gillespie Run. All these streams eventually join up to form a larger river system, which for Gillespie Run is the Monongahela River system.
Where Does it Flow?
Gillespie Run starts its journey about 2 miles (3.2 km) west-southwest of a place called Mustard, Pennsylvania. From there, it generally flows towards the northeast. Its path takes it through parts of Allegheny County until it reaches its end point. It joins the Youghiogheny River right across from the town of Sutersville.
Its Home: The Watershed
Every stream, including Gillespie Run, has a "watershed." A watershed is like a big bowl or a drainage area where all the rain and snowmelt collect and flow into that specific stream. The Gillespie Run watershed covers an area of about 8.32 square miles (21.55 km²).
In this area, Gillespie Run and its surroundings receive about 39.5 inches (100 cm) of rain and snow each year. A large part of this watershed, about 62%, is covered by forests. These forests are important because they help keep the water clean and provide homes for many plants and animals.
