Lower Little Swatara Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lower Little Swatara Creek |
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Satellite map of Lower Little Swatara Creek. The red dot is the stream's source and blue dot is its mouth.
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Blue Mountain, Wayne Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania 40°31′49″N 76°13′41″W / 40.5302°N 76.2281°W |
| River mouth | Swatara Creek near Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania 40°32′14″N 76°23′19″W / 40.5373°N 76.3886°W |
| Length | 11 mi (18 km) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Susquehanna River system |
| Basin size | 34 sq mi (88 km2) |
Lower Little Swatara Creek is a small river, also called a tributary, that flows into Swatara Creek in southern Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA. It is about 11 miles (18 km) long. The creek begins on Blue Mountain and travels southwest. It joins Swatara Creek close to the town of Pine Grove. People enjoy fishing and canoeing here. The creek also carries some phosphorus and sediment, which are things that can affect water quality.
Contents
Where Lower Little Swatara Creek Flows
Lower Little Swatara Creek starts on the northern side of Blue Mountain. This is in Wayne Township, near the border of Schuylkill and Berks counties. The creek first flows northwest towards a community called Moyers.
After Moyers, the creek turns and flows west-southwest into Washington Township. Here, it flows next to Blue Mountain. It also briefly flows alongside Summer Hill. As it moves along, other smaller streams join it.
The valley around the creek gets wider as it leaves Washington Township. It then enters Pine Grove Township. In this area, the creek flows between Swope Mountain to the south and Swatara Hill to the north. It passes by the communities of Marstown and Crowtown. Finally, the creek flows into Swatara Creek.
Smaller Streams Joining the Creek
Lower Little Swatara Creek has several smaller streams, called tributaries, that flow into it. Some of these smaller streams do not have official names.
The Land Around the Creek
Lower Little Swatara Creek is located in a region known as the Ridge and Valley province. This area is famous for its long, parallel ridges and valleys. The place where Lower Little Swatara Creek begins is about 1,040 feet (317 meters) higher than where it ends.
The types of rock in the area around the creek are interesting. For example, the Shawanganuk Formation is found on Blue Mountain. North of that, you'll find the Bloomsburg Formation. The Hamilton Group rocks are in the central part of the watershed, right where the creek flows. Different types of rock formations create the landscape you see today.
The soil around Lower Little Swatara Creek also varies. There are three main types: Berks-Weikert-Beddington, Leck Kill-Minersville-Calvin, and Hazleton-Dechaub-Buchanon. These different soils affect what kinds of plants can grow and how water moves through the ground.
Lower Little Swatara Creek's Watershed
A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a specific river or creek. The watershed for Lower Little Swatara Creek covers about 34 square miles (88 square kilometers).
Most of the land in this watershed is used for farming. About 64% of the land is agricultural land, meaning it's used for crops or raising animals. About 29% of the land is covered by forests. The remaining 7% of the land has buildings or roads.
Specifically, the watershed has a lot of land for hay or pastures, which is about 2,901 acres. There are also about 1,379 acres of cropland and 1,913 acres of forest. A small amount of land, about 430 acres, has low-intensity development. There are also a few wetland areas, which are important for nature.
Water Quality and Flow
Lower Little Swatara Creek carries some materials that can affect its water quality. For example, a lot of sediment flows through the creek each day. Sediment is like tiny bits of dirt or rock. There is also a significant amount of phosphorus flowing in the water. Phosphorus is a nutrient that can sometimes cause problems if there's too much of it.
Most of the sediment that flows into the creek comes from agricultural land (farms). Some also comes from the creek banks themselves, from pastures, and from developed areas. Forests contribute a very small amount of sediment.
Similarly, most of the phosphorus comes from agricultural land and pastures. Some phosphorus also comes from groundwater (water under the ground) and from developed areas. Even septic systems and forests contribute a tiny bit. In the 1980s, scientists found that about 25% to 33% of the phosphorus was dissolved in the water. The rest, about 67% to 75%, was attached to the sediment.
The water from Lower Little Swatara Creek helps to clean up acid mine drainage in Swatara Creek. This is because the creek's water helps to dilute, or weaken, the effects of the acidic water from old mines.
Scientists have also measured other things in the creek's water. In 1985, the highest amount of manganese found was 670 micrograms per liter. The average amount of iron was 850 micrograms per liter.
History and Fun Activities
There was a special station on Lower Little Swatara Creek that measured the water flow. This station was active from 1936 to 1953. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection held a public meeting about the creek's water quality in 2010. This was one of the first meetings of its kind in Pennsylvania.
Recreation and Enjoyment
You can go canoeing on Lower Little Swatara Creek. It's a great way to explore the water. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission also adds trout to some parts of the creek. This is called stocking. This means that people are allowed to go fishing in the creek. It's a popular spot for anglers!
