Thompson Creek (Oil Creek tributary) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thompson Creek
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Other name(s)	Tributary to Oil Creek
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Crawford
City	Hydetown
Physical characteristics
Main source	divide between Thompson Creek and Caldwell Creek about 0.5 miles east of Shelmadine Springs, Pennsylvania 1,600 ft (490 m) 41°40′32″N 079°33′12″W / 41.67556°N 79.55333°W / 41.67556; -79.55333
River mouth	about 1/4 miles southwest of Hydetown, Pennsylvania Oil Creek 1,240 ft (380 m) 41°38′53″N 079°43′54″W / 41.64806°N 79.73167°W / 41.64806; -79.73167
Length	6.82 mi (10.98 km)
Basin features
Progression	southwest
River system	Allegheny River (Oil Creek)
Basin size	35.9 square miles (93 km2)
Population	1,374 (2010)
Tributaries	Left: Hummer Creek Right: Shirley Run McLaughlin Creek

Thompson Creek is a small stream, about 6.8 miles (11.0 km) long, located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. It flows into a larger stream called Oil Creek. Thompson Creek starts high up on a land ridge that separates it from another stream called Caldwell Creek.

Other Names for Thompson Creek

Sometimes, streams and rivers have more than one name. According to the Geographic Names Information System, Thompson Creek has also been known by these names:

• Thompson's Run
• Thompsons Run

Where Thompson Creek Flows

Thompson Creek begins its journey about half a mile east of a place called Shelmadine Springs in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. It starts on a high point of land that divides water flow, known as a divide. From there, Thompson Creek flows west. It eventually joins Oil Creek near the town of Hydetown.

Understanding the Thompson Creek Watershed

A watershed is like a big bowl where all the rain and snowmelt collect and drain into a specific river or stream. The Thompson Creek watershed covers an area of about 35.9 square miles (93 square kilometers).

This area gets about 45.4 inches (115 cm) of rain and snow each year. The average water temperature in the creek is around 7.35 °C (45.23 °F). More than half of the land in the watershed, about 53%, is covered by forests. This means many trees help keep the water clean and healthy.

Maps of Thompson Creek

Here are some maps to help you see where Thompson Creek is and the area it drains.

Course of Thompson Creek (Oil Creek tributary)

Watershed of Thompson Creek (Oil Creek tributary)