Hess Hollow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hess Hollow |
|
|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | unnamed pond in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania 1,240 ft (380 m) |
| River mouth | Coles Creek in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania 951 ft (290 m) 41°15′33″N 76°20′51″W / 41.25920°N 76.34748°W |
| Length | 1.8 mi (2.9 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Coles Creek → Fishing Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 1.25 sq mi (3.2 km2) |
Hess Hollow is a small stream in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Coles Creek. Even though it doesn't have an official name, it's an important part of the local environment.
Hess Hollow is about 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long. It flows through a place called Sugarloaf Township. The area of land that drains water into the stream, called its watershed, is about 1.25 square miles (3.2 km2).
This stream is special because it's listed as a "Locally Significant Area" in the Columbia County Natural Areas Inventory. This means it's a valuable natural place. It's also known for having very clean water where wild trout can live.
Contents
The Stream's Journey
Hess Hollow starts in a small pond in Sugarloaf Township. This is just south of a place called Central Mountain.
The stream flows south for a while. It crosses a road called Pennsylvania Route 118. Then, it enters a valley. After flowing for more than a mile, the stream changes direction. It turns southwest, then quickly turns southeast. It crosses another road, Pennsylvania Route 487. Soon after this, Hess Hollow meets and joins Coles Creek.
Hess Hollow joins Coles Creek about 2.06 miles (3.32 km) before Coles Creek reaches its own end.
Nature Around Hess Hollow
The land around Hess Hollow is quite high up. Near where the stream joins Coles Creek, the elevation is about 951 feet (290 m) above sea level. Where the stream begins, it's even higher, over 1,240 feet (380 m) above sea level.
The stream doesn't flow in a straight line. It does some meandering, which means it curves and bends. There's a hill called Fritz Hill to the west of the stream. The pond where Hess Hollow starts doesn't have a name.
The water in Hess Hollow is quite clean. It has a total alkalinity of 12 milligrams per liter. This is a measure of how well the water can resist changes in its pH level.
The Watershed Area
The watershed of Hess Hollow covers an area of 1.25 square miles (3.2 km2). Most of the land around the stream is made up of wetlands with forests and open grassy marshes.
The stream has a good riparian buffer around it. This is a strip of trees and plants along the banks. It helps protect the water quality. Most of the land around the stream is private property.
The Columbia County Natural Areas Inventory suggests that protecting the stream's riparian buffer is important. This helps keep the stream healthy.
History of the Name
Hess Hollow was most likely named after a person called William Hess. He owned land near the stream in the 1800s.
Plants and Trees
Hess Hollow is a "locally significant site" for plants. This means it's an important place for nature.
Many different kinds of trees grow in the forests around Hess Hollow. These include:
- red oak
- red maple
- sugar maple
- White pine
- yellow birch
- black birch
- Eastern hemlock
In the wetlands of Hess Hollow, you can find trees like sassafras and striped maple.
Other Plants in the Wetlands
Besides trees, many other plants grow in the wetlands of Hess Hollow. These include:
- Many types of sedges
- Different kinds of ferns
- buttercups
- club mosses
- false hellebores
- Indian cucumbers
- huckleberries
- jewelweed
- raspberries
- sphagnum moss
- trillium
- wood nettles
- And many other plant species!
Animals and Wildlife
Many different animals live in the Hess Hollow area.
Birds
Several types of birds have been seen in Hess Hollow. These include:
- Two kinds of warblers
- The black-capped chickadee
- The blue-headed vireo
- The common yellowthroat
- The ovenbird
- The veery
- The wood thrush
Other Animals
Besides birds, you might also see chipmunks and red-spotted newts in the stream's watershed. Sometimes, there are many deer in the area.
Fish and Aquatic Life
The entire area that drains into Hess Hollow is known as a coldwater fishery. This means the water is cold and clean enough for fish that need cool temperatures. It's considered a high-quality coldwater fishery.
Hess Hollow is also special because it's a "Class A Wild Trout Waters" stream. This means it has a healthy population of wild trout. Brook trout live in Hess Hollow along its entire length. These trout also reproduce naturally in the stream, which is a sign of a very healthy environment.
