Salt Lick Creek (Susquehanna River tributary) facts for kids
Salt Lick Creek is a cool stream in Pennsylvania. It flows for about 11.1 miles (17.9 kilometers). This creek is a "tributary," which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a bigger one. Salt Lick Creek eventually joins the mighty Susquehanna River.
About Salt Lick Creek
Salt Lick Creek is located in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It's an important part of the local water system. The creek helps carry water from smaller areas into the larger Susquehanna River.
Where Does It Flow?
Salt Lick Creek starts at Page Lake. This is near a village called Lakeside in New Milford Township. From there, the creek flows towards the northwest.
It passes through the town of New Milford. After New Milford, the creek turns and flows north. Finally, it meets the Susquehanna River in the town of Hallstead.
You might even see the creek if you travel on Interstate 81 or U.S. Route 11. These roads follow the creek's path from New Milford all the way to the Susquehanna River.
How Was It Formed?
The northern part of Salt Lick Creek follows a special path. This path is called the "Summit Sluiceway." It's a gently sloping channel about 24 miles long. This channel was formed a very long time ago during the Pleistocene epoch.
The Pleistocene epoch was a period often called the Ice Age. During this time, huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, moved across the land. As these glaciers moved, they carved out valleys and channels. This process is known as "glacial erosion." The Summit Sluiceway is a perfect example of how these ancient glaciers shaped the land we see today.
Interestingly, on the other side of New Milford, another creek called Martins Creek also follows the Summit Sluiceway. But Martins Creek flows south into Tunkhannock Creek. This shows how the same ancient channel can guide different streams in different directions!
