West Branch Briar Creek facts for kids
West Branch Briar Creek is a small river, also called a tributary, that flows into Briar Creek in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, USA. It's about 6.53 miles (10.51 km) long. This creek flows through two areas called North Centre Township and Briar Creek Township. It has two smaller streams that join it: Cabin Run and Fester Hollow. The whole area of land that drains water into West Branch Briar Creek is about 12.06 square miles.
The amount of water flowing in West Branch Briar Creek changes. It can be as little as 0.67 cubic meters per second or as much as 33.1 cubic meters per second. The rocks found in the land around the creek include shale, sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, and limestone.
A famous old bridge, the Fowlersville Covered Bridge, used to cross West Branch Briar Creek.
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Where Does West Branch Briar Creek Flow?
West Branch Briar Creek starts in the western part of North Centre Township. It begins near a place called Hidlay Church. The creek then flows mostly east-northeast over flat land.
After a while, another stream called Cabin Run joins it. Cabin Run flows south from Summer Hill. The main creek keeps flowing east-northeast. A few miles later, a longer stream named Fester Hollow also joins the creek.
Then, West Branch Briar Creek turns northeast. It flows close to the town of Fowlersville. The creek then starts flowing next to Pennsylvania Route 93 and leaves North Centre Township. Soon after, it enters Briar Creek Township. Not long after that, it meets and joins the main Briar Creek.
Meet the Tributaries: Cabin Run and Fester Hollow
West Branch Briar Creek has two important smaller streams, or tributaries, that feed into it: Cabin Run and Fester Hollow. Fester Hollow is much longer than Cabin Run. It also drains a much larger area of land.
- Cabin Run is about 1.22 miles (1.96 km) long.
- Fester Hollow is about 5.66 miles (9.11 km) long.
How Healthy is the Water?
The amount of water flowing in West Branch Briar Creek, called its discharge, varies a lot. It can be from 0.67 to 31.1 cubic meters per second. On average, about 3.2 cubic meters of water flow per second.
The water temperature in the creek also changes with the seasons. It can be as cold as 35.6 °F (2.0 °C) and as warm as 71.6 °F (22.0 °C). The average temperature is about 57.38 °F (14.10 °C). Sometimes, the water temperature is higher than what local groups think is healthy for the creek.
The pH level of the water tells us how acidic or basic it is. For West Branch Briar Creek, the lowest pH recorded is 6.96, and the highest is 8.31. The average pH is 7.87, which is slightly basic.
The water's electrical conductivity, which shows how many dissolved substances are in it, ranges from 117 to 281 milli-siemens. The average is 204 milli-siemens. The amount of dissolved solids in the water is between 58 and 141 parts per million. The average is 102 parts per million.
Sometimes, the amounts of lead and nitrates in the creek's water are higher than what is considered ideal for a healthy stream.
In 2012, a group called the Briar Creek Association for Watershed Solutions checked the creek's health. They looked at things like how stable the creek banks were and the quality of the plants along the water's edge. They gave the creek a score of 7.1 out of 10. This score means the water quality was "fair."
What is the Land Like Around the Creek?
The land around West Branch Briar Creek has different types of rocks. Most of the southern part of the area is made of shale or a type of shale called calcareous shale. There's also a small area with limestone. In the northern part, you'll find mostly siltstone and mudstone. The very northernmost part has sandstone. Even with some limestone, the creek itself is not considered a "limestone stream."
The soil around the creek also varies. Along the creek, you can find a type of soil called Holly Series, which is a silt loam. Another type, the Zipp Series (also a silt loam), is found in some areas, including where the creek starts. The Alvira series soil is also at the creek's beginning. In this spot, the Alvira soils are smoother and less worn away than usual.
West Branch Briar Creek is about 15 feet (4.6 m) wide. Where the creek begins, there are flat areas called plains. These areas are either very flat or have only a slight slope.
The Creek's Watershed Area
The entire area of land that collects and drains water into West Branch Briar Creek is called its watershed. This watershed covers 12.06 square miles.
- The area that drains into Fester Hollow (a sub-watershed) is 4.54 square miles.
- The area that drains into Cabin Run (another sub-watershed) is 0.73 square miles.
- The main part of West Branch Briar Creek's watershed, not including its tributaries, is 6.79 square miles.
A Look Back in Time: History of the Creek
In the 1700s, families like the Van Campens, Aikmans, and Salmons lived along West Branch Briar Creek. The very first mill in Briar Creek Township was built in 1800 by William Rittenhouse. This mill was located right where West Branch Briar Creek joins the main Briar Creek.
Long ago, the valley where West Branch Briar Creek flows was known as one of the most fertile, or productive for farming, valleys in all of Columbia County.
The Fowlersville Covered Bridge was built in 1886. It was one of the last covered bridges to be built in Columbia County. This bridge used to cross West Branch Briar Creek until it was moved to a new location on Briar Creek.
Who Lives in the Creek?
West Branch Briar Creek is a good home for fish! It is regularly stocked with fish, meaning new fish are added to it. The creek is known to have minnows. It might also be home to trout. In fact, the waters of West Branch Briar Creek are officially approved as "trout waters," which means they are suitable for trout fishing.
