Streams in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Did you know that many small rivers and streams flow through Armstrong County, Pennsylvania? These waterways are super important for the environment and for the people living there. They help carry water across the land, supporting plants and animals, and sometimes even providing water for towns.

This article will tell you about some of the main streams and rivers in Armstrong County. You'll learn where they start, where they end up, and which bigger rivers they join!

What Are Streams and Rivers?

Streams and rivers are natural flowing watercourses. They usually start from higher ground, like mountains or hills, and flow downhill. As they flow, smaller streams often join together to form bigger streams, and then these bigger streams join to form rivers. Eventually, most rivers flow into an ocean or a large lake.

Why Are Waterways Important?

Waterways like streams and rivers are vital for many reasons:

Homes for Wildlife: They provide homes for fish, insects, and other aquatic animals. Many land animals also depend on them for drinking water.
Water for People: People use water from rivers for drinking, farming, and generating electricity.
Shaping the Land: Over long periods, streams and rivers help shape the landscape by carving valleys and carrying away soil and rocks.
Fun Activities: Many people enjoy activities like fishing, boating, and swimming in rivers and streams.

Major Rivers in Armstrong County

Armstrong County is home to parts of some very important rivers.

The Allegheny River

The Allegheny River is a big river that flows through Armstrong County. It starts far north in Pennsylvania and travels south. It's like a main highway for water in the region!

Starts: In northern Pennsylvania.
Flows into: The Ohio River.
Ends: In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where it meets the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River.

The Kiskiminetas River

The Kiskiminetas River is another significant river in the county. It's often called the "Kiski" by locals.

Starts: In western Pennsylvania.
Flows into: The Allegheny River.
Ends: Near Freeport, Pennsylvania.

Mahoning Creek

Mahoning Creek is a large stream that eventually joins the Allegheny River.

Starts: In eastern Pennsylvania.
Flows into: The Allegheny River.
Ends: Where Madison Township and Pine Township meet.

Redbank Creek

Redbank Creek is a beautiful waterway that also flows into the Allegheny River.

Starts: In northern Pennsylvania.
Flows into: The Allegheny River.
Ends: In Madison Township.

Smaller Streams and Their Journeys

Many smaller streams, often called "runs" or "creeks," flow into these larger rivers or into other streams. Each one has its own journey!

Streams Flowing into the Allegheny River

Several streams directly join the mighty Allegheny River:

Armstrong Run: Starts in the county and flows into the Allegheny River in Perry Township.
Big Run: Joins the Allegheny River in South Buffalo Township.
Birch Run: Also flows into the Allegheny River in Perry Township.
Buffalo Creek: A larger creek that starts in the county and flows into the Allegheny River in Freeport, Pennsylvania.
Cowanshannock Creek: Starts in the county and flows into the Allegheny River near Gosford, Pennsylvania.
Garretts Run: Joins the Allegheny River in Manor Township.
Glade Run: This one flows into the Allegheny River in Cadogan Township.
Hays Run: Joins the Allegheny River in Rayburn Township.
Hill Run: Flows into the Allegheny River in South Buffalo Township.
Huling Run: Joins the Allegheny River in Washington Township.
Knapp Run: Another stream flowing into the Allegheny River in South Buffalo Township.
Limestone Run: Joins the Allegheny River in East Franklin Township.
Mast Run: Flows into the Allegheny River in Madison Township.
Nicholson Run: Joins the Allegheny River in South Buffalo Township.
Pine Creek: Flows into the Allegheny River where Boggs Township and Rayburn Township meet.
Snyders Run: Joins the Allegheny River in Bradys Bend Township.
Sugar Creek: Flows into the Allegheny River in Bradys Bend Township.
Taylor Run: Joins the Allegheny River in Bethel Township.
Tub Mill Run: Flows into the Allegheny River in Manor Township.
Watson Run: Joins the Allegheny River in South Buffalo Township.
Whiskey Creek: Flows into the Allegheny River in Pine Township.

Streams Flowing into Crooked Creek

Crooked Creek is a significant tributary to the Allegheny River, and many smaller streams feed into it:

Beers Run: Joins Crooked Creek in Burrell Township.
Campbell Run: Flows into Crooked Creek in Manor Township.
Cherry Run: Joins Crooked Creek in Burrell Township.
Coal Bank Run: Flows into Crooked Creek in Bethel Township.
Craig Run: Joins Crooked Creek in South Bend Township.
Elbow Run: Flows into Crooked Creek in Kittaning Township.
Fagley Run: Joins Crooked Creek in Burrell Township.
Gobblers Run: Flows into Crooked Creek in South Bend Township.
Horney Camp Run: Joins Crooked Creek in Burrell Township.
Lindsay Run: Flows into Crooked Creek in South Bend Township.
Pine Run: Joins Crooked Creek in Burrell Township.
Plum Creek: Flows into Crooked Creek in Plumcreek Township.
Sugar Run: Joins Crooked Creek in South Bend Township.

North Branch Cherry Run

North Branch Cherry Run: Flows into Cherry Run, which then goes into Crooked Creek, in Burrell Township.

North Branch Plum Creek

North Branch Plum Creek: Flows into Keystone Lake, which is part of Plum Creek, in Plumcreek Township.

South Branch Plum Creek

South Branch Plum Creek: Joins Plum Creek in Plumcreek Township.

Streams Flowing into the Kiskiminetas River

The Kiski River also has many smaller streams joining it:

Brady Run: Joins the Kiskiminetas River in Leechburg.
Carnahan Run: Flows into the Kiskiminetas River in Parks Township.
Elder Run: Joins the Kiskiminetas River in Gilpin Township.
Flat Run: Flows into the Kiskiminetas River in Kiskiminetas Township.
Guffy Run: Joins the Kiskiminetas River where Gilpin Township and Parks Township meet.
Long Run: Flows into the Kiskiminetas River in Kiskiminetas Township.
Roaring Run: Joins the Kiskiminetas River in Kiskiminetas Township.

Rattling Run

Rattling Run: Flows into Roaring Run, which then goes into the Kiskiminetas River, in Kiskiminetas Township.

Streams Flowing into Mahoning Creek

Mahoning Creek has several streams that contribute to its flow:

Camp Run: Joins Mahoning Creek in Wayne Township.
Cathcart Run: Flows into Mahoning Creek in Mahoning Township.
Cave Run: Joins Mahoning Creek in Mahoning Township.
Foundry Run: Flows into Mahoning Creek in Wayne Township.
Glade Run: Joins Mahoning Creek in Wayne Township.
Hamilton Run: Flows into Mahoning Creek in Mahoning Township near Putneyville.
Little Mudlick Creek: Joins Mahoning Creek in Redbank Township.
Pine Run: Flows into Mahoning Creek in Redbank Township.
Scrubgrass Creek: Joins Mahoning Creek at Mahoning Station, in Pine Township.

Nye Branch

Nye Branch: Flows into Sugarcamp Run, which then goes into Mahoning Creek, in Redbank Township.

Sugarcamp Run

Sugarcamp Run: Flows into Mudlick Creek, which then goes into Mahoning Creek, in Redbank Township.

Streams Flowing into Buffalo Creek

Buffalo Creek is another important tributary, and these streams join it:

Cornplanter Run: Joins Buffalo Creek in South Buffalo Township.
Marrowbone Run: Flows into Buffalo Creek in North Buffalo Township.
Patterson Creek: Joins Buffalo Creek in West Franklin Township.
Pine Run: Flows into Buffalo Creek in South Buffalo Township.
Rough Run: Joins Buffalo Creek in North Buffalo Township.
Sipes Run: Flows into Buffalo Creek in South Buffalo Township.

Long Run

Long Run: Flows into Patterson Creek, which then goes into Buffalo Creek, in West Franklin Township.

Streams Flowing into Cowanshannock Creek

Cowanshannock Creek has its own network of smaller streams:

Craigs Run: Joins Cowanshannock Creek in Rural Valley.
Huskins Run: Flows into Cowanshannock Creek in Cowanshannock Township.
Long Run: Joins Cowanshannock Creek in Valley Township.
Mill Run: Flows into Cowanshannock Creek in Rayburn Township.
Spra Run: Joins Cowanshannock Creek in Valley Township.
Spruce Run: Flows into Cowanshannock Creek in Cowanshannock Township.

South Branch Cowanshannock Creek

South Branch Cowanshannock Creek: Joins Cowanshannock Creek in Cowanshannock Township.

Streams Flowing into Pine Creek

Pine Creek is fed by several smaller streams, including its forks:

North Fork Pine Creek: Joins Pine Creek in Boggs Township.
South Fork Pine Creek: Flows into Pine Creek in Rayburn Township.

Bullock Run

Bullock Run: Flows into North Fork Pine Creek in Boggs Township.

Deaver Run

Deaver Run: Flows into South Fork Pine Creek where Boggs Township and Valley Township meet.

Laurel Run

Laurel Run: Flows into South Fork Pine Creek where Boggs Township and Valley Township meet.

North Branch South Fork Pine Creek

North Branch South Fork Pine Creek: Joins South Fork Pine Creek in Wayne Township near Echo.

South Branch South Fork Pine Creek

South Branch South Fork Pine Creek: Joins South Fork Pine Creek in Wayne Township.

Streams Flowing into Sugar Creek

Sugar Creek, which flows into the Allegheny River, also has its own tributaries:

Cove Run: Joins Sugar Creek in Bradys Bend Township.
Hart Run: Flows into Sugar Creek in Bradys Bend Township.
Holder Run: Joins Sugar Creek in Bradys Bend Township.
Long Run: Flows into Sugar Creek in Bradys Bend Township.
Pine Run: Joins Sugar Creek in Bradys Bend Township.
Whiskey Run: Flows into Sugar Creek in Bradys Bend Township.

Other Streams

Some streams flow into other smaller streams before reaching a major river:

Cessna Run: Flows into South Branch Plum Creek in Plumcreek Township.
Dutch Run: Joins Plum Creek in Plumcreek Township.
Long Run: This one flows into Fagley Run in South Bend Township.
Mudlick Creek: Joins Pine Run in Redbank Township.
Nolf Run: Flows into Little Sandy Creek in Redbank Township.
Rupp Run: Joins Garretts Run in Manor Township.
Spur Run: Flows into Taylor Run in Bethel Township.

This list shows just how many waterways crisscross Armstrong County, each playing a part in the larger water system!

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