Penns Creek facts for kids

Sun rising, as seen from Penns Creek

Map of Penns Cave

Penns Creek is a stream in central Pennsylvania, United States. It flows for about 67.1-mile-long (108.0 km). This creek is a tributary that eventually joins the larger Susquehanna River.

The creek drains an area of about 163 square miles (420 km²). This area covers parts of Snyder, Union, and Centre counties. Penns Creek starts near Spring Mills. It then flows until it meets the Susquehanna River, about 3.6 miles (5.8 km) downstream from Selinsgrove.

A special place called Penn's Cave is one source for the creek. Penn's Cave is a commercial cave where people can take boat tours. The water from a large spring inside the cave helps form Penns Creek.

The upper parts of Penns Creek are famous for flyfishing. Many people come here to catch trout. A special event happens in late May when Green Drake insects hatch. This is one of the biggest insect hatches in the world! Other insects like Hendricksons, Sulphurs, and Tricos also attract fishers. As the water flows closer to the Susquehanna River, it gets warmer. This makes it a good place for fish like panfish.

History of Penns Creek

Long ago, the Iroquois people called this creek Kaarondinhah. They lived in the Susquehanna Valley from the mid-1600s to the mid-1700s.

In 1754, the Iroquois sold much of the Susquehanna Valley to the government of Pennsylvania. European settlers then moved to the area. Between 1754 and 1772, they called the creek "Big Mahany" or "John Penn's Creek." John Penn was the younger brother of William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania.

Smaller Streams Joining Penns Creek

Several smaller streams flow into Penns Creek. Here are some of them, listed in order as you go downstream:

• Sinking Creek
• Elk Creek
• Pine Creek
• Middle Creek

Keeping Penns Creek Clean

Sometimes, pollution and soil washing away can make the water in Penns Creek less clean. This affects the local environment and even the larger Chesapeake Bay. Things like farming, mining, and wastewater from towns can cause this.

Many groups are working to keep Penns Creek healthy. These include the Lower Penns Creek Watershed Association (LPCWA), the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission. Local groups like the Snyder County Conservation District and the Union County Conservation District also help. They have specialists who work with the LPCWA to protect the creek.

Images for kids

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  Penns Creek flowing through Penns Valley