Susquehanna Valley Facts for Kids

For the region in south-central Pennsylvania, see Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan statistical area. For other uses, see Susquehanna Valley (disambiguation).

The Susquehanna River flowing through Bradford County, Pennsylvania.

Imagine a long, wide area of land that stretches along the Susquehanna River. This special place is called the Susquehanna Valley. It runs through three U.S. states: New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The valley includes land along the main part of the river, which starts in Upstate New York and flows all the way to the Chesapeake Bay. It also includes areas along a smaller part of the river called the West Branch in Pennsylvania.

History and Special Buildings
Understanding the Geography
- The Chesapeake Bay Connection
Cities and Counties in the Valley
- Main Branch Communities
  - Cities Along the Main Branch
  - Counties Along the Main Branch
- West Branch Communities
  - Cities Along the West Branch
  - Counties Along the West Branch

History and Special Buildings

The Susquehanna Valley is home to some really old and cool structures! As of 2014, seventeen of the oldest covered bridges in the United States were found right here. These bridges are like tunnels made of wood, protecting the bridge deck from weather. They are a neat peek into history!

Understanding the Geography

Historians and environmental experts at the Chesapeake Conservancy describe the Susquehanna River as the "lifeblood" of the Chesapeake Bay. This means the river is super important for the health of the bay, bringing fresh water and nutrients. They even say the bay is like an "extension" of the Susquehanna Valley that the ocean has slowly filled over thousands of years.

The Chesapeake Bay Connection

Within Pennsylvania, the Susquehanna Valley is closely linked to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into one main river or body of water. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is huge! It covers parts of Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Pennsylvania's connection to this watershed is mainly through the counties along the Susquehanna River, its West Branch, and all the smaller streams that flow into them. About half of all the land in Pennsylvania drains into the Susquehanna River, which then flows into the Chesapeake Bay. This shows how important the Susquehanna Valley is for the environment of the entire region.

Cities and Counties in the Valley

Many towns and cities are located in the Susquehanna Valley, making it a vibrant place to live and visit. These communities benefit from the river for things like transportation, water, and recreation.

Main Branch Communities

The main branch of the Susquehanna River flows through many important cities.

Cities Along the Main Branch

Counties Along the Main Branch

Counties that make up the Susquehanna Valley region in Pennsylvania. The counties in red are where the Susquehanna River and West Branch actually flow. The dark red counties are part of the larger watershed area.

Many counties are part of the Susquehanna Valley, either because the river flows through them or because their land drains into the river.

West Branch Communities

The West Branch of the Susquehanna River also has its own set of communities.

Cities Along the West Branch

Counties Along the West Branch

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Susquehanna Valley facts for kids

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