Muddy Creek (Susquehanna River tributary) facts for kids

Muddy Creek is a stream located in York County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It's a smaller waterway that flows into the much larger Susquehanna River. Think of it as a helpful helper stream that brings its water to a bigger river!

What is Muddy Creek?

Muddy Creek is a natural stream that helps carry water across the land. It's known as a tributary, which means it's a river or stream that flows into a larger river or lake. In this case, Muddy Creek flows into the mighty Susquehanna River.

Where Does Muddy Creek Start?

Muddy Creek actually begins when two smaller streams meet up. These two streams are called the North Branch and the South Branch.

• The North Branch is about 11.2 miles (18.0 kilometers) long.
• The South Branch is about 10.3 miles (16.6 kilometers) long.

They come together at a place called Muddy Creek Forks. This meeting point is like the official start of Muddy Creek itself!

Where Does Muddy Creek Go?

After the North and South Branches join, Muddy Creek flows for about 17.2 miles (27.7 kilometers). Its journey ends when it joins the Susquehanna River.

It flows into a part of the Susquehanna River that is backed up by the Conowingo Dam. This area is known as the Conowingo Reservoir. A reservoir is like a big, human-made lake that holds water, often created by a dam.

Bridges Over Muddy Creek

As Muddy Creek makes its way to the Susquehanna River, it flows through different areas. One interesting spot is where it's crossed by the Muddy Creek Bridge, Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad. This bridge is located in two different townships:

• Lower Chanceford Township
• Peach Bottom Township

Bridges like this help people and trains cross over the water safely.