Maiden Creek facts for kids
Maiden Creek is a stream in Pennsylvania, USA. It is about 20 miles (32.7 kilometers) long. Maiden Creek flows into the Schuylkill River. This river is in Berks County.
The name "Maiden" comes from a Native American word, Ontelaunee. It means the same thing.
Maiden Creek starts where two smaller streams meet. These are Ontelaunee Creek and Kistler Creek. They join together in a place called Kempton. Another stream, Sacony Creek, also flows into Maiden Creek near Virginville.
In 1926, a dam was built on Maiden Creek. This dam created a lake called Lake Ontelaunee.
Maiden Creek flows into the Schuylkill River north of Reading. It is a very important source of drinking water for the city of Reading.
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Structures Along the Creek
Many interesting structures can be found along Maiden Creek. These include old mills and bridges.
Historical Buildings
- The Merkel Mill is an old mill located on Maiden Creek. It is in Greenwich Township.
Bridges Over Maiden Creek
- The Bridge in Albany Township crosses Maiden Creek near Trexler.
- A railroad bridge also crosses Maiden Creek. It is very close to where the creek joins the Schuylkill River.
Maiden Creek Watershed
A watershed is an area of land. All the rain and snow that falls in a watershed drains into a specific river or stream. The Maiden Creek watershed is quite large. It covers about 216 square miles (560 square kilometers). It has over 2,100 miles (3,380 kilometers) of streams that flow all year.
Where the Watershed Is Located
The Maiden Creek watershed is in southeastern Pennsylvania. Most of it is in northeastern Berks County. A small part is in western Lehigh County. Tiny parts are also in eastern Schuylkill County. This area is near Blue Mountain.
Many towns and parts of towns are within this watershed. Some towns completely inside the watershed are Kutztown, Fleetwood, Lenhartsville, and Lyons.
Water Quality and Fish Habitats
The streams in the Maiden Creek watershed have very good water quality. This is important for fish and other wildlife.
Some streams have special protection. Peters Creek and the start of Saucony Creek have the highest protection. This means they are some of the cleanest waters in the state.
Other parts of the creek support different types of fish.
- Some areas are "Cold Water Fisheries." These are good for trout and other animals that like cold water.
- Other parts are "Trout Stocked Fisheries." This means trout are added to these streams for fishing during certain times of the year.
- The lower part of Maiden Creek and Lake Ontelaunee are "Warm Waters Fisheries." They support fish and plants that prefer warmer water.
Recreational Areas
The Appalachian Trail is a very long hiking trail. It runs from Maine to Georgia. Part of this trail runs along the northern edge of the Maiden Creek watershed. Many people visit this trail each year.
Several smaller trails connect to popular spots. These include Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Blue Rocks, and the Pinnacle. These are great places for outdoor activities.
The Federal Highland Conservation area is another important natural area. It stretches from Connecticut through Pennsylvania. It helps protect green spaces near big cities like New York City and Philadelphia. Sacony Creek starts in this area. It is a very clean stream and provides drinking water for Kutztown. It also helps supply water to Reading.
