List of tributaries of Shamokin Creek facts for kids
Shamokin Creek is a stream in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. It flows for about 32 miles (52 kilometers) and empties into the Susquehanna River. Many smaller streams, called tributaries, flow into Shamokin Creek. There are 12 of these tributaries. Some of the longest ones are Little Shamokin Creek, Carbon Run, North Branch Shamokin Creek, Coal Run, and Millers Run.
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Shamokin Creek and Its Health
Many of the smaller streams that feed into Shamokin Creek are in an area where coal was once mined. Because of this, most of these streams have been affected by mining activities. For example, Furnace Run is one of the few streams not impacted by mining. Other streams, like North Branch Shamokin Creek, Locust Creek, Quaker Run, Coal Run, and Carbon Run, have problems with metals from old mine drainage. This means the water isn't as clean as it should be.
Little Shamokin Creek and its tributary Plum Creek have other issues. They are affected by too much dirt and sand (called siltation). They also have too many nutrients (organic enrichment) and not enough oxygen in the water.
Healthy Tributaries
Not all tributaries are unhealthy. Four streams that flow into Shamokin Creek are considered clean by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. These are Lick Creek, Millers Run, Bennys Run, and Trout Run.
Fish and Aquatic Life
The main part of Shamokin Creek is a good home for fish that like warmer water. However, all of its smaller streams (tributaries) are better for fish that prefer colder water. Some tributaries, like North Branch Shamokin Creek and Quaker Run, do not have many fish.
But other streams are much healthier! Several types of fish live in Carbon Run. Downstream tributaries such as Trout Run, Bennys Run, Millers Run, and Lick Creek have many different kinds of aquatic life. Local groups even run a small fish hatchery at the mouth of Trout Run. This helps to raise young fish.
Tributaries of Shamokin Creek
Here is a list of the main tributaries that flow into Shamokin Creek. The table shows their length, the area of land they drain, and how far they are from the mouth of Shamokin Creek.
| Name | Length (miles) | Watershed area (sq mi) | Distance from mouth of Shamokin Creek (miles) | Mouth elevation (ft) | Source elevation (ft) | Mouth coordinates | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Shamokin Creek | 15.0 | 29.0 | 2.58 | 433 | ~1020 | 40°51′38″N 76°46′33″W / 40.86056°N 76.77583°W |  |
| Lick Creek | 2.7 | 2.46 | 16.03 | 545 | 960 to 980 | 40°50′57″N 76°35′14″W / 40.84917°N 76.58722°W |  |
| Millers Run | 4.1 | 5.48 | 16.84 | 574 | 900 to 920 | 40°50′20″N 76°35′03″W / 40.83889°N 76.58417°W |  |
| Bennys Run | 3.8 | 6.12 | 18.20 | 584 | 840 to 860 | 40°49′24″N 76°35′07″W / 40.82333°N 76.58528°W |  |
| Trout Run | 1.4 | 3.01 | 20.48 | 656 | 880 to 900 | 40°48′15″N 76°34′08″W / 40.80417°N 76.56889°W |  |
| Furnace Run | 1.0 | 1.61 | 21.54 | 745 | 840 to 860 | 40°47′18″N 76°34′02″W / 40.78833°N 76.56722°W |  |
| Carbon Run | 5.2 | 8.78 | 21.62 | 709 | 1060 to 1080 | 40°47′20″N 76°33′47″W / 40.78889°N 76.56306°W |  |
| Coal Run | 4.7 | 6.25 | 22.54 | 725 | 1220 to 1240 | 40°47′29″N 76°33′12″W / 40.79139°N 76.55333°W |  |
| Quaker Run | 3.7 | 3.62 | 24.68 | 830 | 1100 to 1120 | 40°47′02″N 76°31′23″W / 40.78389°N 76.52306°W |  |
| Locust Creek | 4.0 | 5.75 | 28.88 | 1010 | 1340 to 1360 | 40°46′54″N 76°27′22″W / 40.78167°N 76.45611°W |  |
| North Branch Shamokin Creek | 4.8 | 5.73 | 29.96 | 1027 | 1480 to 1500 | 40°47′29″N 76°26′29″W / 40.79139°N 76.44139°W |  |
Tributaries of Little Shamokin Creek
Little Shamokin Creek also has its own smaller streams flowing into it.
| Name | Length (miles) | Watershed area (sq mi) | Distance from confluence with Shamokin Creek (miles) | Mouth elevation (ft) | Source elevation (ft) | Mouth coordinates | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plum Creek | 4.7 | 10.2 | 1.52 | 495 | 680 to 700 | 40°51′04″N 76°45′16″W / 40.85111°N 76.75444°W |  |
See also
