Plum Creek (Little Shamokin Creek tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Plum Creek |
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Plum Creek looking downstream
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | small pond in Shamokin Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania between 680 and 700 feet (207 and 213 m) |
| River mouth | Little Shamokin Creek in Rockefeller Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania 495 ft (151 m) 40°51′04″N 76°45′17″W / 40.85103°N 76.75471°W |
| Length | 4.7 mi (7.6 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Little Shamokin Creek → Shamokin Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 10.2 sq mi (26 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Plum Creek is a small stream, also called a tributary, that flows into Little Shamokin Creek in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. It is about 4.7 miles (7.6 km) long. The creek runs through Shamokin Township and Rockefeller Township. The land area that drains water into the creek, known as its watershed, covers about 10.2 square miles (26 km2). Plum Creek is a small stream that flows all year round. People started settling in its valley in the early 1800s. Many bridges have been built over this creek over the years.
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Plum Creek's Journey
Plum Creek starts its journey in a small pond in Shamokin Township. It flows towards the northwest for a short distance. Then, it turns west.
The creek soon enters Rockefeller Township. Here, it flows west-southwest for more than a mile. It then turns west-northwest for a bit. Along this path, it meets two smaller streams, called tributaries. One joins from the left side and one from the right.
After receiving these new waters, Plum Creek turns west-southwest for a short distance. It then heads north for a few tenths of a mile. Next, it turns west again for a short stretch. Here, it receives two more unnamed tributaries, both from its right side. Finally, the creek turns northwest. A short distance downstream, Plum Creek meets and joins Little Shamokin Creek.
Plum Creek joins Little Shamokin Creek about 1.52 miles (2.45 km) before Little Shamokin Creek reaches its own end.
Water Quality of Plum Creek
A large part of Plum Creek, about 4 miles (6.4 km) of its main flow and all its smaller unnamed streams, has been identified as "impaired." This means the water quality isn't as good as it should be.
The main problems are:
- Siltation: Too much silt (fine dirt) in the water.
- Organic enrichment: Too many natural materials, like plant matter, in the water.
- Low dissolved oxygen: Not enough oxygen for fish and other water creatures to breathe.
These issues are mainly caused by grazing animals, like cows, near the creek. However, about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) of the main part of Plum Creek is still considered healthy and not impaired.
Plum Creek's Surroundings
The land around Plum Creek is interesting. The lowest point of the creek, where it joins Little Shamokin Creek, is about 495 feet (151 m) above sea level. The highest point, where the creek begins, is between 680 and 700 feet (210 and 210 m) above sea level.
Plum Creek is known as a perennial stream. This means it flows continuously throughout the year, even during dry seasons.
The entire area that collects water for Plum Creek, its watershed, covers about 10.2 square miles (26 km2). The mouth of the creek is shown on the United States Geological Survey map called the Sunbury quadrangle. However, its source is on the map called the Trevorton quadrangle.
The very beginning of Plum Creek is about 0.4 miles (0.64 km) south of a place called Millers Crossroads Church. The end of the creek, where it flows into Little Shamokin Creek, is close to Pennsylvania Route 890.
Plum Creek has also been used in the past to supply water to the town of Sunbury. There are even some reservoirs, which are places to store water, in the area around the creek.
History of Plum Creek Valley
Plum Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system helps keep track of names and locations of geographic features.
By the early 1800s, the valley around Plum Creek was one of the first places in the area where people settled. Many Lutheran families moved there during this time. A road called Plum Creek Road used to run through the valley. It connected Tulpehocken Road (now Pennsylvania Route 890) with Old King's Highway (now Pennsylvania Route 61). This road made it easier to travel between the towns of Sunbury and Shamokin.
Because there wasn't another church nearby, the Eden Evangelical Lutheran Church was started by people living in the Plum Creek valley in 1844.
Agriculture was also very important in the Plum Creek valley in the early 1800s. For example, an early settler named Henry Yoxtheimer, Sr., farmed in the valley. Also, a 58-acre farm, known as the William Miller homestead, was located near where the creek begins. Parts of this valley were known for being "fertile" and "well-cultivated" in the 1800s and 1900s.
Many bridges have been built over Plum Creek over the years. Four of these bridges were built in just one year, 1939!
- A concrete bridge on Peace Valley Road was built in 1920. It is 44.0 feet (13.4 m) long.
- A steel bridge on State Route 4016 was built in 1939. It is 51.8 feet (15.8 m) long. Another similar bridge on State Route 4016 was also built that year and repaired in 1999. It is also 51.8 feet (15.8 m) long.
- Two concrete slab bridges on State Route 4013 were built in 1939. One is 23.0 feet (7.0 m) long and was repaired in 1997. The other is 22.0 feet (6.7 m) long and was repaired in 1994.
- A newer bridge, made of prestressed box beams, was built in 1989. It is 40.0 feet (12.2 m) long and carries road T-684.
Interestingly, in 1952, a map from the United States Geological Survey mistakenly called another stream in the area "Plum Creek." This mistake was noticed in the late 1960s and confirmed by two local farmers.
Images for kids
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Plum Creek looking downstream
