Hop Bottom Creek facts for kids

Hop Bottom Creek (also called Hopbottom Creek) is a small river, or tributary, in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Martins Creek. The creek is about 13.5 miles (21.7 km) long.

It flows through several areas. These include Bridgewater Township, New Milford Township, Brooklyn Township, Lathrop Township, and the town of Hop Bottom. The land area that drains into the creek, called its watershed, is about 15.6 square miles (40 km²).

Hop Bottom Creek is known for its clear water. It is not considered a polluted or "impaired" waterbody. The creek flows through a deep valley. In its upper parts, it is about 10 feet (3.0 m) wide. The ground around the creek is mostly made of till (rocky soil left by glaciers), alluvium (river deposits), and solid bedrock. There are also some wetland areas.

Where Does Hop Bottom Creek Flow?

Hop Bottom Creek starts in a small, unnamed lake. This lake is near Pennsylvania Route 706 in Bridgewater Township.

The Creek's Journey South

From its start, the creek flows south-southwest. It then enters Heart Lake. This lake is partly in Bridgewater Township and partly in New Milford Township.

After leaving Heart Lake, the creek flows west and then southwest. It soon reaches Lake Chrisann. From Lake Chrisann, the creek continues to flow generally south. It winds its way through Bridgewater Township.

Flowing Through Townships

The creek then enters Brooklyn Township. Here, it crosses Pennsylvania Route 167 several times. It meanders southwest and then southeast for a few miles. It continues to flow alongside Pennsylvania Route 167.

Next, the creek turns south and enters Lathrop Township. It flows southeast for a short distance. Finally, it reaches the town of Hop Bottom. Here, it crosses Pennsylvania Route 167 one last time.

Joining Martins Creek

In Hop Bottom, the creek turns east-northeast. It re-enters Lathrop Township briefly. Then, it meets Martins Creek. Hop Bottom Creek joins Martins Creek about 7.32 miles (11.78 km) before Martins Creek reaches its own mouth.

How Clean is Hop Bottom Creek?

Hop Bottom Creek is considered a healthy waterway. It is not listed as an "impaired" (polluted) waterbody.

Water Flow and Temperature

From 1965 to 1969, scientists measured the water flow of Hop Bottom Creek. This was done near Brooklyn. The flow ranged from 0.50 to 20 cubic feet per second (0.014 to 0.566 m³/s). The average flow was about 7.2 cubic feet per second (0.20 m³/s).

During the same time, the water temperature was measured. It ranged from 5.5 to 16.5 °C (41.9 to 61.7 °F).

Water Chemistry

The pH of the creek's water ranged from 6.5 to 7.5. This means it was slightly acidic to slightly basic. Its specific conductance (how well water conducts electricity) ranged from 95 to 149 micro-siemens per centimeter.

Scientists also measured different chemicals in the water. These included magnesium, calcium, and sodium. The water also contained carbon dioxide and bicarbonate. The "hardness" of the water ranged from 35 to 64 milligrams per liter (0.035 to 0.064 oz/cu ft). Other chemicals found were sulfate, chloride, and nitrate.

Land and Rocks Around the Creek

The land around Hop Bottom Creek varies in height. The creek's mouth is about 883 feet (269 m) above sea level. Its source is much higher, between 1,560 and 1,580 feet (475 and 482 m) above sea level.

Creek's Shape and Valley

Hop Bottom Creek is a small stream. It winds through a deep valley. In its upper parts, the creek has a very clean channel. Where it leaves Heart Lake, the channel is about 10 feet (3.0 m) wide and 1 foot (0.30 m) deep.

The very beginning of the creek is in a "beaded valley." This means it has wider and narrower sections that alternate. Lakes or wetlands can often be found in the wider parts.

Types of Ground and Soil

The ground along the lower parts of Hop Bottom Creek is mostly alluvium. This is soil deposited by the river. Nearby, there is also a type of till called Wisconsinan Till. This soil was left behind by glaciers. Some areas also have solid bedrock, which is made of sandstone and shale. There are also some wetlands.

The ground near the creek's source is similar. However, there is no alluvium above Lake Chrisann, only Wisconsinan Till.

The soils in the area include different types of silt loam. Some of these soils are "hydric," meaning they are often wet. Others are "non-hydric," meaning they are usually dry.

The Creek's Drainage Area

The watershed of Hop Bottom Creek covers about 15.6 square miles (40 km²). This is the entire area of land where water drains into the creek.

Location and Nearby Watersheds

The mouth of the creek is on the United States Geological Survey map called Hop Bottom. However, its source is on the Montrose East map. The creek's watershed is long from north to south but narrow from east to west.

It is close to the watersheds of other creeks. These include West Branch Meshoppen Creek, Horton Creek, Martins Creek, Salt Lick Creek, and Snake Creek.

Heart Lake and Land Use

Heart Lake is located on Hop Bottom Creek. It is about 43.6 acres (17.6 ha) in size and does not have a dam. The area around the creek's watershed does not have many people living in it.

The main purpose for Hop Bottom Creek is to support aquatic life. This means it's important for fish and other water creatures. There is a United States Geological Survey station on the creek at Brooklyn. This station measures the water flow. The part of the watershed above this station is about 11.7 square miles (30 km²).

By the early 1900s, the valley of Hop Bottom Creek was used for farming. Even today, there are active farms near the creek.

History of Hop Bottom Creek

Hop Bottom Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. It is also known as Hopbottom Creek. This other name appeared on a 1981 map of Susquehanna County.

How the Creek Got Its Name

The creek is named after wild hops plants. These plants used to grow in its valley. People have described the creek's name as "quaint," meaning charming or old-fashioned.

Early Settlements and Buildings

The community of Hop Bottom, located near the creek, was started in 1787. The very first gristmill (a mill for grinding grain) in Susquehanna County was built on Hop Bottom Creek. In the past, there was also a cotton factory near the creek.

Bridges Over the Creek

Many bridges have been built over Hop Bottom Creek over the years:

• A concrete bridge for Pennsylvania Route 167 was built in 1939 in Bridgewater Township. It is 30.8 feet (9.4 m) long.
• A steel bridge for State Route 2015 was built in 1945 in Brooklyn Township. It was repaired in 1993 and is 43.0 feet (13.1 m) long.
• Another concrete bridge for State Route 2024 was built in Brooklyn Township in 1947. It is 65.0 feet (19.8 m) long.
• A concrete culvert bridge for State Route 2015 was built in 1959 in Bridgewater Township. It was repaired in 1998 and is 21.0 feet (6.4 m) long.
• A large bridge for Pennsylvania Route 167 was built in Brooklyn Township in 1961. It is 66.9 feet (20.4 m) long.
• Another bridge for Pennsylvania Route 167 was built in Hop Bottom in 1962. It is 43.0 feet (13.1 m) long.
• A bridge for T554/Quicks Hill Road was built in 1969. It is 32.2 feet (9.8 m) long and is southeast of Brooklyn.

Animals and Plants in the Creek

Hop Bottom Creek is known as a Coldwater Fishery. This means its waters are cold enough for certain types of fish.

Fishing Opportunities

In 1998, a plan for the Tunkhannock Creek Watershed said that Hop Bottom Creek had "excellent" fishing. However, the creek is not stocked with trout. This means no trout are added to the creek by people. Even so, eels have been seen in the creek in the past.

Plants and Forests

Historically, wild hops plants grew along the banks of the creek near Hop Bottom. Today, one of the largest areas of untouched forest in the region is found along the banks of Hop Bottom Creek.