Jericho Creek (Delaware River tributary) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jericho Creek
Jericho Creek
Native name	Towssisink
Other name(s)	Bakers Creek, Knowles Creek
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Bucks
Township	Wrightstown, Upper Makefield
Physical characteristics
Main source	260 feet (79 m) 40°17′13″N 74°59′53″W / 40.28694°N 74.99806°W / 40.28694; -74.99806
River mouth	43 feet (13 m) 40°18′51″N 74°59′9″W / 40.31417°N 74.98583°W / 40.31417; -74.98583
Length	6.12 miles (9.85 km)
Basin features
Progression	Jericho Creek → Delaware River → Delaware Bay
River system	Delaware River
Basin size	9.63 square miles (24.9 km2)
Landmarks	Jericho Mountain
Bridges	Pennsylvania Route 232 (Windy Bush Road) Thompson Mill Road Pineville Road Eagle Road Brownsburg Road East Stoneybrook Road Pennsylvania Route 32 (River Road) Pennsylvania Canal (Delaware Division) and towpath
Slope	35.46 feet per mile (6.716 m/km)

Jericho Creek (Towssisink, Bakers Creek, Knowles Creek) is a tributary of the Delaware River, rising in Wrightstown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, passing into Upper Makefield township where it meets its confluence with the Delaware.

History

Named for the nearby mountain of the same name, Jericho Creek formed part of the boundary of William Penn's original purchase of land on 15 July 1682 with the Lenape. Later it became the southern boundary of the Walking Purchase (19-20 September 1737). It was first named Bakers Creek for Henry Baker, Justice of the Peace, who may have been landowner and settler before 1682. The Indian Purchase of 1682 was limited to extend up the Delaware River from the mouth of the Neshaminy Creek "as far as a man can walk in a day and a half". It was said that this was done by William Penn himself, some of his friends and some indian chiefs. This was a leisurely walk with breaks, unlike the Walking Purchase of 1737 by Penn's sons. The creek was marked Knowles Creek on a number of maps of the 19th century.

Statistics

Jericho Creek was entered into the Geographic Names Information System database of the U.S. Geological Survey as identification number 1178049 on 2 August 1979, and is listed in the Pennsylvania Gazatteer of Streams as identification number 02975.

Course

Jericho creek rises in Wrightstown Township, Pennsylvania and flows generally easterly to its confluence at the Delaware River's 144.20 river mile and its watershed is 9.63 square miles (24.9 km²).

Municipalities

• Bucks County
  • Upper Makefield Township
  • Wrightstown Township

Crossings and Bridges