Johnson Creek (Lithia Springs Creek tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Johnson Creek |
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Johnson Creek looking upstream
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| Other name(s) | Johnson's Creek |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | valley on Montour Ridge in Point Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania 800 ft (240 m) |
| River mouth | Lithia Springs Creek in Point Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania 486 ft (148 m) 40°55′27″N 76°45′56″W / 40.9242°N 76.7655°W |
| Length | 2.3 mi (3.7 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Lithia Springs Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 4.09 sq mi (10.6 km2) |
Johnson Creek (also called Johnson's Creek) is a small stream in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. It flows into another stream called Lithia Springs Creek. Johnson Creek is about 2.3 miles (3.7 km) long. It flows through a place called Point Township.
The area of land that drains into Johnson Creek is about 4.09 square miles (10.6 km2). This area is called its watershed. A big hill, or ridge, named Montour Ridge is part of this watershed. One of the smaller streams that flows into Johnson Creek goes through a special valley on Montour Ridge. This valley is full of many different kinds of plants and animals.
Johnson Creek is known as a Coldwater Fishery. This means its water stays cool enough for certain fish to live there. It is also a Migratory Fishery, which means fish travel through it during their life cycles.
Contents
Where Johnson Creek Flows
Johnson Creek starts in a valley on Montour Ridge in Point Township. It flows towards the south and southeast, leaving the valley. Then, it turns south for a short distance. After that, it flows south-southeast again for more than a mile.
Along this path, two smaller, unnamed streams join Johnson Creek. The creek then enters another valley. Two more unnamed streams add their water to Johnson Creek. Finally, the creek turns east and a little north. After flowing for about a mile in this direction, it meets Lithia Springs Creek.
Johnson Creek joins Lithia Springs Creek about 1.64 miles (2.64 km) before Lithia Springs Creek reaches its own end.
Smaller Streams Joining Johnson Creek
Johnson Creek does not have any named smaller streams, called tributaries. However, several unnamed streams flow into it. At least one of these smaller streams is fed by a natural spring.
The Land Around the Creek
The land where Johnson Creek meets Lithia Springs Creek is about 486 feet (148 m) above sea level. Where Johnson Creek begins, the land is a bit less than 800 feet (240 m) above sea level.
Montour Ridge is a notable ridge near Johnson Creek. A smaller stream that flows into Johnson Creek runs through a special ravine on this ridge. This ravine is called the Montour Ridge Ravine. Johnson Creek is the only stream in its area that has a 100-year floodplain. This means it has an area next to it that could flood once every 100 years.
Sometimes, water from a local sewer project flows into Johnson Creek. There have been talks about adding more sewer pipes near the creek.
The Creek's Watershed
The watershed of Johnson Creek covers an area of about 4.09 square miles (10.6 km2). A watershed is all the land where water drains into a particular stream or river. Johnson Creek is located in the Northumberland area, according to the United States Geological Survey. It is about 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of the town of Northumberland.
The Montour Ridge Ravine, where one of the creek's tributaries flows, is very important. It is listed as a "Locally Significant Area" in the Northumberland County Natural Areas Inventory. It is given a "high" rank because of its natural value. This special ravine is on private land.
A Look at History
Johnson Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of names and locations of places in the United States.
Around the year 1917, people asked for permission to build a bridge over Johnson Creek. This shows that the creek has been an important part of the local area for a long time.
Plants and Animals of the Creek
The Montour Ridge Ravine, which is fed by a stream flowing into Johnson Creek, is home to many different plants and animals. Trees like hemlocks grow along the ravine. This area has a very high level of biodiversity, meaning there are many different kinds of living things.
You can find plants such as spicebush, Canada mayflower, wild sarsaparilla, skunk cabbage, jack-in-the-pulpit, red maple, striped maple, Allegheny blackberry, witch-hazel, basswood, beech, and violets.
Several types of salamanders also live in this area. These include the Eurycea bislineata, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, and Desmognathus fuscus fuscus. Sometimes, a tiny insect called the hemlock wooly adelgid has been seen in the ravine. This insect can harm hemlock trees.
As mentioned, Johnson Creek is a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it provides a good habitat for fish that need cool water and is a pathway for fish that travel to different places to lay their eggs.
