Hermesprota Creek facts for kids
Hermesprota Creek is a small stream, about 2.2-mile-long (3.5 km), located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It flows through towns like Collingdale, Sharon Hill, Darby Township, and Folcroft. This creek is a branch, or "tributary," of Darby Creek. The area of land that drains into Hermesprota Creek, called its watershed, covers about 1.83 square miles (4.7 km2).
Quick facts for kids Hermesprota Creek |
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| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
Contents
Where Hermesprota Creek Flows
Hermesprota Creek starts in the Har Zion Cemetery, which is close to Collingdale, Pennsylvania. From there, it flows mostly towards the south and southeast. It goes under U.S. Route 13 before turning west and entering Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania.
The creek then turns south again. It flows into the areas of Darby Township and Folcroft. Eventually, Hermesprota Creek reaches the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Here, two smaller streams join it. After flowing a bit further, Hermesprota Creek meets and joins Darby Creek. This meeting point is about 3.55 miles (5.71 km) upstream from where Darby Creek flows into a larger body of water.
Water Quality of the Creek
The water in Hermesprota Creek is not very clean. Scientists have found high levels of certain metals in the mud at the bottom of the creek. These metals include lead, selenium, and zinc.
In the past, from 1953 to the 1970s, some harmful materials were put into the creek. This happened when the Folcroft Landfill, which was next to the creek, was still open. The southern part of Hermesprota Creek is also affected by the tides, meaning its water level changes with the ocean's tides.
Land and Rocks Around the Creek
The land around the end of Hermesprota Creek, where it joins Darby Creek, is very flat. It is at the same level as sea level. Where the creek begins, its source is a bit higher up. The land there is between 60 and 80 feet (18 and 24 m) above sea level.
The Creek's Watershed
A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a single river or stream. The watershed for Hermesprota Creek covers an area of about 1.83 square miles (4.7 km2). The entire creek is located within a specific map area called the Lansdowne quadrangle, which is used by the United States Geological Survey.
History of Hermesprota Creek
Hermesprota Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system helps keep track of names for places like rivers and mountains. Its special identification number in the system is 1176873.
Over the years, several bridges have been built to cross Hermesprota Creek.
- One bridge, made of concrete, carries Folcroft Avenue over the creek. It is 30.8 feet (9.4 m) long and was built in 1925.
- Another bridge, made of concrete slabs, carries Tribbitt Avenue across the creek. This bridge is 24.9 feet (7.6 m) long and was built in 1932.
Animals and Plants in the Creek
The area around Hermesprota Creek is important for different types of fish. It is considered a Coldwater Fishery, which means it can support fish that prefer cold water. It is also a Migratory Fishery, meaning fish that travel long distances to lay their eggs use this creek. People sometimes go fishing in the creek for fun. The creek is also part of an area that the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) considers important for habitats.
