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Pennsauken Creek facts for kids

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Pennsauken Creek New Jersey 2020
Pennsauken Creek flowing into the Delaware River (2020)

Pennsauken Creek is a small river, about 3.8 miles (6.1 kilometers) long, located in New Jersey. It's a tributary, which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger one. Pennsauken Creek flows into the mighty Delaware River.

This creek runs through parts of Burlington and Camden counties in the United States. It collects water from an area of about 33 square miles (85 square kilometers) before joining the Delaware River near the town of Palmyra.

The creek has two main parts, called branches. The North Branch is entirely within Burlington County. The South Branch acts like a natural border between Burlington and Camden counties. Both the main creek and its branches are affected by the ocean's tides for a few miles upstream. Each of these branches is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) long.

The Story Behind the Name

Have you ever wondered where the name "Pennsauken" came from? The name of the creek, "Pennsauken," probably came from an old Native American village. This village was called "Pemisoakin" and was located in the same area long ago.

Branches of Pennsauken Creek

Pennsauken Creek has two important branches that feed into it:

  • North Branch Pennsauken Creek
  • South Branch Pennsauken Creek

Protecting Pennsauken Creek

Like many waterways, Pennsauken Creek faces some challenges. Water flowing off farms and city areas can carry pollution into the creek. Also, water from treatment plants and old landfills can sometimes affect the creek's cleanliness. There can also be pollution from industries located near where the creek meets the Delaware River. People are working to keep the creek healthy and clean for everyone to enjoy.

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