Watson Creek (Pennsylvania) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Watson Creek
Watson Creek
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Bucks
Township	Buckingham
Physical characteristics
Main source	360 feet (110 m) 40°20′4″N 75°4′50″W / 40.33444°N 75.08056°W / 40.33444; -75.08056
River mouth	207 feet (63 m) 40°18′50″N 75°3′22″W / 40.31389°N 75.05611°W / 40.31389; -75.05611
Length	2.48 miles (3.99 km)
Basin features
Progression	Watson Creek → Mill Creek → Neshaminy Creek → Delaware River → Delaware Bay
River system	Delaware River
Basin size	4.26 square miles (11.0 km2)
Slope	61.69 feet per mile (11.684 m/km)

Watson Creek is a small stream located entirely within Buckingham Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Mill Creek. Mill Creek then joins the Neshaminy Creek, which eventually flows into the Delaware River. The creek is officially recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior Geological Survey.

The Story Behind the Name: Watson Creek's History

Watson Creek gets its name from the Watson family. Henry Watson owned a large farm near where the creek starts. He was an important person in the area's early history. Henry Watson used the creek's water to power three grist mills and one sawmill. Grist mills grind grain into flour, and sawmills cut wood.

Journey of the Water: Watson Creek's Course

Watson Creek begins its journey just east of Doylestown Borough. It winds its way generally towards the south and southeast. Then, it turns and flows northeast. The creek meets Lahaska Creek to form Mill Creek. This meeting point is about 6.05 miles up Mill Creek from its mouth.

Rocks and Land: Understanding Watson Creek's Geology

The land around Watson Creek is made of different types of rocks. These rocks were formed over millions of years. Scientists can tell how old the rocks are by studying them.

Ancient Rocks Along the Creek

• Stockton Conglomerate: The creek starts in this rock type. It formed during the Triassic period, which was a very long time ago. This rock is a mix of different sized stones, like quartz cobbles and boulders, all cemented together. It also contains sandstone.
• Stockton Formation: As the creek flows, it passes through the Stockton Formation. This rock also formed during the Triassic period. It includes different kinds of sandstone, shale (a soft, layered rock), siltstone, and mudstone.
• Beekmantown Group: Further along, the creek flows over rocks from the Beekmantown Group. These rocks are even older, from the Ordovician period. They are mostly limestone and dolomite, which are types of rock that often form in water. You might also find some chert and calcite here.
• Allentown Formation: Finally, where Watson Creek meets Lahaska Creek, the rocks are from the Allentown Formation. These are the oldest rocks along the creek, from the Cambrian period. They are made of dolomite, limestone, chert, and siltstone. Sometimes, you can even see interesting features like oölites (tiny round grains) and stromatolites (layered structures made by ancient microbes).

Local Areas: Municipalities Along Watson Creek

Watson Creek flows entirely within one local area.

• Buckingham Township

Fun Activities: Fishing in Watson Creek

Watson Creek is a great place for fishing! The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission lists it as a Class D Natural Reproduction Trout Stream. This means that trout naturally live and reproduce in the creek. It's a healthy environment for these fish.

Connecting Places: Bridges Over Watson Creek

Many roads cross over Watson Creek. Here are some of the bridges: