North Branch Mehoopany Creek facts for kids

The North Branch Mehoopany Creek is a stream in Pennsylvania. It is also known as North Fork Mehoopany Creek or North Branch Mehoppany Creek. This creek is a tributary (a smaller stream that flows into a larger one) of Mehoopany Creek.

It flows through parts of Bradford County, Sullivan County, and Wyoming County. The creek is about 14 miles (23 km) long. Its watershed (the area of land that drains into the creek) covers about 40.0 square miles (104 km²). The North Branch Mehoopany Creek is home to wild trout.

Where the Creek Flows

The North Branch Mehoopany Creek starts in Wilmot Township, Bradford County. It flows south through a small lake. Then it turns southwest and south-southeast, entering Colley Township, Sullivan County. Here, it crosses Pennsylvania Route 87.

The creek continues east-southeast and meets Wolf Run. It then flows south to meet Smith Cabin Run. The creek then turns east, still following Pennsylvania Route 87. It flows southeast and then east again. Later, it turns northeast, where it meets Barnes Brook and Scotia Brook.

Journey Through Wyoming County

Next, the North Branch Mehoopany Creek enters North Branch Township, Wyoming County. It flows east-northeast for a few miles, still alongside Pennsylvania Route 87. It receives water from Miller Brook. Then it turns east-southeast, meeting Burgess Brook and Douglas Hollow.

The creek then turns east-northeast and enters Forkston Township. It flows east for a short distance, receiving Farr Hollow. Finally, the creek turns south and joins the Mehoopany Creek. The North Branch Mehoopany Creek is about 14 miles (23 km) long. It joins Mehoopany Creek about 6.26 miles (10.07 km) before Mehoopany Creek ends.

Water Flow and Weather

The amount of water flowing in North Branch Mehoopany Creek changes throughout the year. This is called the discharge. Between 1942 and 1958, the average yearly flow near Lovelton varied. It was lowest in 1954 and highest in 1948.

The most water usually flows in April and March. The least water flows in September and July. For example, in September 1941, very little water flowed. In April 1958, a lot of water flowed. In the early 1900s, the area around the creek received about 35 to 40 inches (89 to 102 cm) of rain each year.

Land and Rocks Around the Creek

The land around North Branch Mehoopany Creek is "rough and hilly." The creek flows through a deep, narrow valley with steep hills. Long ago, people said the valley was very fertile, meaning good for farming.

Near where the creek starts, there are swamps and small lakes. The creek's path is curvy. It flows over sandstone and shale rocks. The main type of rock under the ground in the watershed is sandstone.

Erosion and Changes

In the 2000s, some parts of the creek's banks were wearing away faster than normal. This is called streambank erosion. It was caused by human changes and big floods, like Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972. Fixing this erosion helps reduce the amount of dirt flowing into Mehoopany Creek.

The Creek's Watershed

The watershed of North Branch Mehoopany Creek covers an area of 40.0 square miles (104 km²). The creek's mouth is near Forkston. Its source is near Meshoppen. There are about 56.9 miles (91.6 km) of streams in the entire watershed.

The watershed includes parts of Wyoming, Sullivan, and Bradford counties. A 65-acre (26 ha) pond called Saxe Pond is in the upper part of the watershed. It has a dam in Wilmot Township. Pennsylvania Route 87 runs next to the creek for much of its length.

Land Use in the Watershed

Most of the land in the watershed is covered by forests. However, there are also many areas used for farming. The watershed has several wells that provide water. The North Branch Mehoopany Creek is the biggest tributary of Mehoopany Creek. It makes up about one-third of Mehoopany Creek's entire watershed.

History of the Creek Area

The name "North Branch Mehoopany Creek" was officially recorded on August 2, 1979. It is also known as North Fork Mehoopany Creek. However, old records and local people mostly used "North Branch Mehoopany Creek." North Branch Township likely got its name from the creek.

The first road in North Branch Township was built along the North Branch Mehoopany Creek valley. In the early 1900s, farming was the main activity in the creek's watershed. Towns like Lovelton and Colley were important communities. The creek's water power was used for a gristmill (a mill for grinding grain) in Lovelton.

Bridges Over the Creek

Several bridges cross the creek. A long bridge carrying State Route 3001 was built in Forkston Township in 1987. Another bridge, carrying T-410, was built in Colley Township in 1925.

In 2003, experts found that North Branch Mehoopany Creek needed restoration work. By 2013, projects were underway to make the creek banks stronger.

Creek Life: Fish and More

The North Branch Mehoopany Creek is a great place for fish. Wild trout naturally reproduce (have babies) in the creek from its start all the way to its mouth. The creek's watershed is known as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's good for fish that like cold water and for fish that travel to different places.

About 25.0 miles (40.2 km) of streams in the watershed are known for natural trout reproduction. Another 10.8 miles (17.4 km) are stocked with trout. In the 1980s, people said the creek was best for trout fishing early in the fishing season.

Trout and Other Fish

The North Branch Mehoopany Creek is stocked with trout. This means young trout are added to the creek to help fishing. In the 1980s, brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout were stocked here. Fish stocking happens in both Wyoming and Sullivan counties.

In the 2000s, scientists found 31 different kinds of fish in the creek. These included darters, daces, suckers, and bluegills. The creek is too small for large hellbender populations.