Spruce Run (Buffalo Creek tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spruce Run |
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Spruce Run looking upstream
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | narrow valley in eastern Hartley Township, Union County, Pennsylvania between 1,760 and 1,780 feet (536 and 543 m) |
| River mouth | Buffalo Creek on the border between Buffalo Township, Union County, Pennsylvania and Kelly Township, Union County, Pennsylvania 482 ft (147 m) 40°58′38″N 76°58′43″W / 40.97715°N 76.97849°W |
| Length | 14 mi (23 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Buffalo Creek → West Branch Susquehanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 27.2 sq mi (70 km2) |
| Tributaries | |
Spruce Run is a stream in Union County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Buffalo Creek, which is a larger stream. Spruce Run is about 14 miles (23 km) long. It travels through several townships, including Hartley, Lewis, and Buffalo.
The area of land that drains into Spruce Run is 27.2 square miles (70 km2). Two smaller streams, Black Run and Muddy Run, flow into Spruce Run. Even though it's a healthy stream, it can sometimes be affected by too much dirt (sediment) and nutrients.
Spruce Run mostly flows through mountains. There's also a reservoir called Spruce Run Reservoir in its area. Most of the land around the stream is covered by forests. Long ago, there was a mill near where the stream ends, and people used to cut down trees (lumbering) in the area. Many bridges have been built over Spruce Run. Parts of the stream are special because they are very clean and good for fish. People also enjoy fishing there!
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The Journey of Spruce Run
Spruce Run starts in a narrow valley in Hartley Township. It flows east-northeast, following the north side of Sand Mountain. Then it enters Lewis Township. The stream turns north for a short distance, passing by a place called Round Knob. After that, it turns east-northeast again for several miles.
As it flows, Spruce Run passes near other hills like Long Knob and Buffalo Mountain. It leaves Lewis Township and goes through West Buffalo Township. Eventually, it turns east and flows along the border between Buffalo Township and White Deer Township. Here, it goes past the Spruce Run Reservoir.
The stream then turns south-southwest, and its valley becomes less deep. It starts flowing along the border of Buffalo Township and Kelly Township. Here, Black Run, its first named tributary, joins it from the right side. A short distance later, Muddy Run, its second and last named tributary, also joins from the right. Finally, Spruce Run meets Buffalo Creek.
Spruce Run joins Buffalo Creek about 7.70 miles (12.39 km) before Buffalo Creek reaches its own end.
Water Quality of Spruce Run
Spruce Run is considered a healthy stream and is not listed as "impaired." This means its water quality is generally good. Even though a nearby stream, Buffalo Creek, can have problems with acid rain, Spruce Run is not affected by it. However, Spruce Run can still get too much nutrients and sediment (dirt or tiny bits of rock).
In 2000, the amount of sediment in Spruce Run and Black Run was 2,065,843 pounds (937,051 kg). By 2008, it was 2,021,053 pounds (916,734 kg). Experts hope to reduce this amount by a lot in the future. The amount of nitrogen in these streams was 79,278 pounds (35,960 kg) in 2000 and 78,608 pounds (35,656 kg) in 2008. They also hope to lower the nitrogen levels. For phosphorus, the amounts were 2,998 pounds (1,360 kg) in 2000 and 2,939 pounds (1,333 kg) in 2008. Plans are in place to reduce phosphorus too.
Geography and Land Around Spruce Run
The elevation near where Spruce Run meets Buffalo Creek is 482 feet (147 m) above sea level. Where the stream begins, its elevation is much higher, between 1,760 and 1,780 feet (536 and 543 m) above sea level.
You can find signs of ancient floods caused by melting glaciers (called Jökulhlaup surfaces) near Spruce Run. There are also areas with piles of rock and dirt left behind by glaciers. The upper parts of Spruce Run flow through mountains. It runs between two mountains called Buffalo Mountain and Nittany Mountain.
Spruce Run's Watershed
The watershed (the area of land that drains water into the stream) of Spruce Run covers 27.2 square miles (70 km2). The stream's mouth is in the Lewisburg area on maps, but its source is in the Carroll area. Spruce Run is one of the biggest streams that flows into Buffalo Creek. The main part of Spruce Run makes up 13 percent of the entire Buffalo Creek watershed.
Most of the land in Spruce Run's watershed, about 88 percent, is covered by forests. Another 9 percent is used for farming, and 2 percent is covered by paved areas like roads. This paved area might grow to 7 percent in the future.
Spruce Run is an important source of drinking water for the town of Lewisburg. The Spruce Run Reservoir, which is on the stream, helps supply this water. The upper parts of the watershed are in a state forest. You can reach parts of Spruce Run from Spruce Run Road.
History of Spruce Run
Spruce Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. It has been known by its current name since at least June 11, 1769. That's when Colonel Kelly applied for land nearby.
One of the first settlers in the area, Barney Parsons, arrived near Spruce Run in the fall of 1769. A mill called Retchler's Mill used to be near where Spruce Run ends. A village grew up there, first called Union, then Boyertown, and now Mazeppa.
Years ago, a small railroad line was built into the Spruce Run watershed, passing near where the reservoir is now. This railroad was used to transport timber. People also cut down trees in the mountains around the stream to make charcoal. Around 1900, a lumber mill processed millions of feet of timber from the Spruce Run area.
Several bridges have been built over Spruce Run. For example, a concrete bridge carrying State Route 1001 was built in 1921. Another bridge of the same type was built in 1925. Later, steel bridges were constructed in 1947 and 1948.
Wildlife and Fish in Spruce Run
From its start down to the edge of the Bald Eagle State Forest, Spruce Run is a very special place for fish. It's called "Exceptional Value" and a "Migratory Fishery." This means the water is very clean, and fish travel through it. From that point downstream to its mouth, it's a "High-Quality Coldwater Fishery" and still a "Migratory Fishery." This means the water is cold and clean, perfect for fish that like cold water.
Wild trout naturally live and reproduce in Spruce Run. They can be found from the stream's source all the way down to where Black Run joins it, a distance of about 12.24 miles (19.70 km).
There are no known rare or endangered species living directly in Spruce Run in Buffalo and Kelly Townships. However, some special birds like Acadian Flycatchers and Black-throated blue warblers have been seen near the stream on Buffalo Mountain.
In the past, a 6.5 miles (10.5 km) section of Spruce Run was stocked with fish. This means fish were added to the stream for people to catch. For a while, fish were only added before the fishing season started. But in 1990, they began adding fish during the season too.
Fun Activities at Spruce Run
Spruce Run is an "excellent" place for angling (fishing). It is officially named "Approved Trout Waters," which means it's a good spot to catch trout. In 2014, a large area of land near the stream, about 100 acres (40 ha), was bought to become part of the state forest. This helps protect the area. There's also a hiking trail nearby called the Bear Gap Trail, which is great for exploring the outdoors.
