Haycock Creek (Tohickon Creek tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haycock Creek |
|
|---|---|
 Haycock Creek
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Bucks |
| Township | Springfield, Haycock, Nockamixon |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 590 feet (180 m) 40°31′34″N 75°15′39″W / 40.52611°N 75.26083°W |
| River mouth | 394 feet (120 m) 40°30′0″N 75°12′14″W / 40.50000°N 75.20389°W |
| Length | 3.18 miles (5.12 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Haycock Creek → Lake Nockamixon → Tohickon Creek → Delaware River → Delaware Bay |
| River system | Delaware River |
| Basin size | 9.88 square miles (25.6 km2) |
| Landmarks | Haycock Mountain |
| Waterbodies | Lake Nockamixon |
| Bridges | Winding Road School Road Stony Garden Road Haycock Run Road Church Road Pennsylvania Route 563 (Mountain View Drive) |
Haycock Creek is a small stream, or tributary, located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It flows into Tohickon Creek and is part of the larger Delaware River watershed. This means its water eventually joins the Delaware River.
Contents
The Story of Haycock Creek
The land around Haycock Creek was first home to the Lenape people. They lived there for many years before Europeans arrived.
Early Settlers and Land Ownership
Later, European settlers began to buy land in the area. John Anderson was one of the first to purchase land. Edward McCarty was the first settler to actually live there. He bought his land from Thomas and John Penn.
McCarty's family mostly settled on the Nockamixon Township side of the creek. The Frankenfield family were also early landowners, settling on the Haycock Township side.
The First Church Near the Creek
As early as 1742, Jesuit priests from Goshenhoppen started holding church services at Edward McCarty's house. They continued these services until 1798. That year, the Saint John the Baptist parish was created.
The first Catholic Church building was built for $150 on land given by John McCarty, Edward McCarty's nephew. The church building you see today was built much later, in 1854.
Facts About Haycock Creek
Haycock Creek is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) long. It has a watershed of 9.88 square miles (25.6 square kilometers). A watershed is the area of land where all the water drains into a particular stream or river.
The creek flows into Lake Nockamixon at a point called the Tohickon Creek's 11.20 river mile. This means it joins Tohickon Creek 11.20 miles from where Tohickon Creek ends.
The Creek's Journey
Haycock Creek starts high up, at an elevation of 590 feet (180 meters). It begins in Springfield Township, near the intersection of Winding Road and Mink Road. From there, it flows towards the southeast.
As it continues, the creek forms the natural boundary between Haycock and Nockamixon Townships. It finally reaches Lake Nockamixon at an elevation of 394 feet (120 meters).
Where the Creek Meets the Lake
The spot where Haycock Creek joins the Tohickon Creek in Lake Nockamixon is special. It's where four townships meet: Bedminster, Haycock, Nockamixon, and Tinicum Townships.
Haycock Creek also has four smaller streams that flow into it. These are called tributaries. Two come from the right side of the creek, and two come from the left. The creek has an average slope of about 61.64 feet per mile (11.72 meters per kilometer). This means it drops about 61 feet for every mile it travels.
The Rocks and Land Around Haycock Creek
The land around Haycock Creek is part of a larger geological area called the Appalachian Highlands Division. More specifically, it's in the Piedmont Province, within the Gettysburg-Newark Lowland Section.
Understanding the Rock Layers
The main type of rock found here is called the Brunswick Formation. This is a type of sedimentary rock. It's made up of layers of mudstone, siltstone, and different shades of green, brown, and red-brown shale. These rocks formed from mud and sand settling at the bottom of ancient lakes or seas.
Another important rock type is Diabase. About 200 million years ago, hot, melted rock called magma pushed its way into the Brunswick Formation. This magma cooled quickly, forming a hard, fine-grained rock called diabase. Diabase is mostly made of minerals like labradorite and augite.
How Haycock Mountain Formed
Haycock Mountain, which is located on the right side of the creek, and other similar features in the area, are what's left after the softer Brunswick Formation has worn away over millions of years. These mountains are basically the harder diabase rock that remained.
The first part of Haycock Creek's path flows over this tough diabase rock. Then, the rest of the creek flows over the Brunswick Formation. This shows how the different types of rock influence the landscape.
Bridges Over Haycock Creek
Several roads cross over Haycock Creek using bridges. These bridges help people travel easily across the stream.
- Pennsylvania Route 563 (Mountain View Drive)
- Church Road
- Haycock Run Road
- Stony Garden Road
- School Road
- Winding Road
