Spencer Run facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spencer Run |
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| Other name(s) | Spencer's Run |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | valley just south of Waller in Jackson Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania between 1,180 and 1,200 feet (360 and 370 m) |
| River mouth | West Creek in Benton Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania 778 ft (237 m) 41°12′19″N 76°23′20″W / 41.2052°N 76.3889°W |
| Length | 2.1 mi (3.4 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | West Creek → Fishing Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 2.07 sq mi (5.4 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Spencer Run (also known as Spencer's Run) is a small stream, or tributary, that flows into West Creek. You can find it in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. This stream is about 2.1 miles (3.4 km) long. It travels through two areas: Jackson Township and Benton Township. The entire area that drains water into Spencer Run, called its watershed, covers about 2.07 square miles (5.4 km2). Cool fact: wild trout are born and live naturally in this stream! The ground around Spencer Run has different types of soil and rocks. These include a kind of clay and silt called Illinoian Till, plus other natural materials.
Contents
The Journey of Spencer Run
Spencer Run starts in a valley just south of a place called Waller. This is in Jackson Township. First, it flows towards the east. After a short distance, it enters Benton Township.
The stream then turns to the southeast. As it flows, the valley around it gets deeper. After a while, it turns south-southeast, then simply south. It crosses Waller Drive and then another small stream joins it from the right side.
Finally, Spencer Run turns southeast again for a bit. It then meets West Creek. This meeting point, called a confluence, is near the northwestern part of Benton. Spencer Run joins West Creek about 1.48 miles (2.38 km) before West Creek reaches its own end.
Land and Rocks Around the Stream
The land where Spencer Run ends, its mouth, is about 778 feet (237 m) above sea level. Where the stream begins, its source, the land is higher. It's between 1,180 and 1,200 feet (360 and 370 m) above sea level.
The ground and rocks near Spencer Run are mostly made of colluvium. This is loose material that has fallen down hills. There's also a type of till called Illinoian Till. Till is a mix of silt and clay left behind by glaciers. At the very start of the stream, there's a bit of Illinoian Lag, which is also from glaciers. The sides of the stream's valley have bedrock. This bedrock is made of sandstone and shale.
The Water Area
The entire area that collects water for Spencer Run is its watershed. This watershed covers about 2.07 square miles (5.4 km2). Spencer Run is completely located within the area mapped by the United States Geological Survey called Benton.
A Bit of History
Spencer Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of names for places like streams. Its special ID number there is 1188165.
Interestingly, a long time ago, Spencer Run used to flow directly into Fishing Creek. It didn't flow into West Creek first, like it does now.
Animals Living Here
Wild trout are a special part of Spencer Run. They naturally reproduce and live in the stream. You can find them all the way from where the stream starts to where it ends.
In 2004, a group called the Columbia County Natural Areas Inventory suggested that Spencer Run should be protected. This shows how important and special this stream is for nature.
