Swamp Creek (Delaware River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swamp Creek |
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 Swamp Creek
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 360 feet (110 m) 40°31′51″N 75°5′8″W / 40.53083°N 75.08556°W |
| River mouth | Pennsylvania Canal (Delaware Division) 118 feet (36 m) 40°30′32″N 75°4′28″W / 40.50889°N 75.07444°W |
| Length | 2.88 miles (4.63 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Swamp Creek→Delaware River |
| River system | Delaware River |
| Landmarks | Erwinna, Uhlerstown |
| Bridges | Upper Tinicum Church Road, Upper Tinicum Church Road (second crossing), Geigel Hill Road, Geigel Hill Road (second crossing), |
Swamp Creek is a small stream, also called a tributary, that flows into the Pennsylvania Canal (Delaware Division). This canal then connects to the larger Delaware River. Swamp Creek is located in Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania in the United States.
Contents
The Creek's Journey
Swamp Creek starts its journey less than 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the Delaware River. It begins near a place called Uhlerstown.
From there, it flows south for almost 2 miles (3.2 km). Along the way, it collects water from three smaller streams that join it from its right side.
The creek then reaches an area just west of Erwinna, where another small stream adds to its flow from the right. After this, Swamp Creek turns southeast for about 0.5 miles (0.80 km).
Finally, it gets very close to the Pennsylvania Canal (Delaware Division). Instead of crossing, it turns north and flows alongside the canal for about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) before emptying directly into it.
Quick Facts About Swamp Creek
Swamp Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 30, 1990. This system helps keep track of names and locations for geographic features.
- Starting Point: The creek begins at an elevation of about 360 feet (110 m) above sea level. This is like starting from the top of a tall building!
- Ending Point: It flows down to meet the Pennsylvania Canal (Delaware Division) at an elevation of about 118 feet (36 m).
- Length: The entire creek is about 2.88 miles (4.63 km) long.
What the Creek Flows Through: Geology
The ground that Swamp Creek flows over is made up of different types of rocks and soil. This is called the area's geology.
- Starting Area: Where Swamp Creek begins, the ground is mostly made of something called the Brunswick Formation. This includes:
* Mudstone: A type of rock made from hardened mud. * Siltstone: Similar to mudstone, but made from hardened silt (which is finer than sand but coarser than clay). * Shale: A soft, layered rock made from compressed mud or clay. * You might also find argillite (a hard, fine-grained rock) and some hornfels (a rock changed by heat) in this area.
- Later Stages: As the creek turns from flowing southeast to north, it enters an area with something called Trenton Gravel. This part of the ground is made of:
* Sand: Tiny bits of rock. * Clay-silt layers: Very fine particles of earth, often sticky when wet.
So, the creek flows from an area with harder, layered rocks into an area with more loose sand and clay.
Bridges Over Swamp Creek
Even though Swamp Creek is a small stream, several roads cross over it using bridges. These bridges help people and vehicles get around the area.
Some of the roads that cross Swamp Creek include:
- Upper Tinicum Church Road (which crosses the creek twice)
- Geigel Hill Road (which also crosses the creek twice)
These bridges were built at different times, with some dating back to 1914 and others more recently, like one built in 1996. They are important for local transportation.
