West Creek (Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Creek |
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West Creek on the outskirts of Benton, looking upstream
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Huckleberry Mountain in Davidson Township, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania between 1,780 and 1,800 feet (540 and 550 m) |
| River mouth | Fishing Creek in Benton Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania 735 ft (224 m) |
| Length | 9.1 mi (14.6 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Fishing Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 17.2 sq mi (45 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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West Creek is a cool stream located in Columbia County and Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. It's like a smaller river, called a tributary, that flows into a bigger one called Fishing Creek. West Creek is about 9.1 miles (14.6 km) long.
This creek is special because it has the most different kinds of plants and animals (high biodiversity) compared to other streams in the upper Fishing Creek area. Its water temperature can change a lot, from freezing cold in winter to warm in summer. People have used West Creek for a long time, building mills and schoolhouses along its banks in the past.
Contents
Journey of West Creek: Where It Flows
West Creek starts high up on Huckleberry Mountain in Sullivan County. Imagine it as a tiny stream beginning its adventure!
From Mountain to Valley
First, it flows east, then turns south-southeast. Soon, it leaves Sullivan County and enters Jackson Township in Columbia County. It then heads south-southwest, passing the base of Huckleberry Mountain. The creek even crosses a road called Pennsylvania Route 118.
Next, West Creek flows southeast through a valley for a few miles. Along the way, it gets water from smaller streams that join it.
Through Sugarloaf and Benton
The creek then enters Sugarloaf Township. It turns south and flows alongside West Creek Road for several miles. More small streams add to its water here.
It crosses Pennsylvania Route 239 and welcomes its first named helper stream, York Hollow. West Creek then turns southeast, still following Pennsylvania Route 239, and enters Benton Township. It continues south, crossing Route 239 several times.
Reaching Fishing Creek
Finally, West Creek leaves its valley and flows along the edge of a flat area. It meets its second named helper, Spencer Run. After flowing south past the western edge of Benton, it turns south-southeast. A short distance later, West Creek joins Fishing Creek, about 21.72 miles (34.95 km) upstream from where Fishing Creek itself ends.
Water Quality: What's in the Creek?
The water in West Creek changes throughout the year. Understanding its quality helps us know how healthy the creek is for living things.
Water Temperature and Oxygen
In summer, the water can get as warm as 25 °C (77 °F). This is a bit too warm for some cold-water fish. However, in winter, it can drop below 0 °C (32 °F).
The amount of dissolved oxygen in the water is very important for fish and other creatures. West Creek usually has plenty of oxygen, which is great for fish! It ranges from about eight to seventeen milligrams per liter.
Acidity and Aluminum Levels
The water's pH tells us how acidic or basic it is. West Creek's pH is usually around 6.3 in late winter and spring, which is slightly acidic. The rest of the year, it's above 7.0, which is more neutral. The pH range is generally between 6.0 and 7.3.
The amount of aluminum in the water is usually very low, often close to zero. This is good because high levels of aluminum can be harmful to fish.
Water Flow and Conductance
The discharge is how much water flows through the creek. West Creek's flow is usually less than two cubic meters per second. Sometimes, after heavy rain, it can flow much faster, up to nearly ten cubic meters per second!
The conductance measures how well the water conducts electricity, which tells us about dissolved minerals. West Creek's conductance is typically between 40 and 60 micro-siemens per centimeter.
Land and Rocks: The Creek's Surroundings
West Creek flows through an interesting landscape with different types of rocks.
Elevation Changes
The creek starts high up, between 1,780 and 1,800 feet (540 and 550 m) above sea level. By the time it reaches Fishing Creek, its elevation is much lower, at 735 feet (224 m) above sea level. This drop in elevation helps the water flow downhill.
Rock Formations
The rocks around West Creek tell a story about Earth's past.
- In the southern part of the creek's area, you'll find the Trimmers Rock Formation. These rocks are made of siltstone and shale and formed a very long time ago during the Devonian period.
- Further north, the rocks belong to the Catskill Formation, which includes sandstone and siltstone, also from the Devonian period.
- Near where the creek begins, there's the Huntley Mountain Formation. These rocks are sandstone and siltstone from both the Mississippian and Devonian periods.
West Creek's Home: The Watershed
A watershed is like a giant bowl where all the rain and snow that falls eventually drains into a specific creek or river. West Creek's watershed covers an area of 17.2 square miles (45 km2).
Land Use in the Watershed
The land around West Creek is used in different ways:
- In the lower parts of the watershed, there's a lot of agricultural activity, meaning farms. There are also some homes.
- Even in the upper parts of the watershed, you can find some farmland.
- Much of the rest of the watershed is covered by forests.
- Some areas closest to where the creek joins Fishing Creek are more urban, meaning they have more buildings and people.
West Creek's Past: A Look Back in Time
West Creek has a long history, with its name being used for nearly 200 years.
Early History and Names
The name "West Creek" has been known since at least the late 1830s. The creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System (a database of place names) in 1979.
Buildings and Bridges
Over the years, many structures were built along West Creek:
- In 1799, one of the first schoolhouses in the Benton area was built on West Creek.
- A mill called the Thomas Mill was built in 1865 and was still working in 1914.
- A business that cut and sold timber operated on the creek in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- Many bridges have been built over West Creek. An old covered bridge was built in 1881 and later moved.
- Several modern concrete and steel bridges were built in the 1930s, 1950s, and 2004 to carry roads like Pennsylvania Route 239 over the creek.
Dams and Campgrounds
In 1914, a dam was built on West Creek upstream from Benton to help with water supply. Later, in 1979, a private campground called West Creek Gap Campgrounds was started near the creek's source.
Life in West Creek: Animals and Habitat
West Creek is a thriving home for many different creatures, especially tiny ones you might not even see!
Macroinvertebrates: Tiny Creek Dwellers
Scientists have found 41 different types of macroinvertebrates (small creatures without backbones, like insects and worms) in West Creek. This is more than in any other part of upper Fishing Creek!
These tiny animals are super important for the creek's ecosystem. In some parts of West Creek, there are nearly 900 macroinvertebrates in just one square meter! About 60% of them are Ephemeroptera (mayflies), 10% are Plecoptera (stoneflies), and about 5% are Trichoptera (caddisflies).
Fish Species: Swimming in the Creek
West Creek is home to eight different species of wild fish.
- Both Brook trout and brown trout live here, with brook trout being a bit more common.
- The most common fish are sculpin, eastern blacknose dace, and cutlips minnows.
- Other fish you might find include johnny darter, white sucker, and creek chub.
Trout tend to be found more often in the upper parts of the creek, before it crosses Pennsylvania Route 239.
Habitat Quality: A Healthy Home
Experts have rated the habitat quality of West Creek. A higher rating means a healthier place for animals to live. The headwaters (where the creek begins) of West Creek have a very high rating of 192 out of 200.
However, the quality goes down as the creek flows downstream, especially in Benton, where it can be as low as 115. This is partly because there isn't much natural riparian buffer (trees and plants along the banks) in areas where farming happens. These buffers help keep the water clean and cool.
