Wiconisco Creek facts for kids
Wiconisco Creek is a stream in Pennsylvania. It flows into the Susquehanna River. The creek is about 45.5 miles (73.2 km) long. It runs through Schuylkill and Dauphin counties.
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Where Wiconisco Creek Flows
Wiconisco Creek starts on a mountain in Porter Township, Schuylkill County. It flows mostly west-southwest for many miles. It runs between two mountains: Big Lick Mountain to the north and Stony Mountain to the south.
The creek flows near Tower City. After that, it leaves Schuylkill County. It then enters Williams Township, Dauphin County. Here, it continues flowing west. It crosses U.S. Route 209 and passes Williamstown.
Further on, the creek enters Wiconisco Township. It flows by the community of Lykens. Here, other smaller streams join it. These are called tributaries. Bear Creek and Rattling Creek are two of these.
Wiconisco Creek then enters Washington Township. More tributaries, Big Run and Canoe Gap Run, join it here. The creek then turns sharply north. It crosses U.S. Route 209 again. It briefly goes into Lykens Township. Then it starts to curve and wind, flowing southwest back into Washington Township.
The creek crosses Pennsylvania Route 225. It keeps winding in the same direction. It crosses U.S. Route 209 one more time. Then it enters Upper Paxton Township. Here, it flows next to Berry Mountain.
Finally, Wiconisco Creek stops winding as much. It continues west. It receives another tributary called Little Wiconisco Creek. The creek then meets the Susquehanna River. This meeting point is between Lenkerville and Millersburg. The creek joins the Susquehanna River about 98 miles (158 km) upstream from the Susquehanna's mouth.
Smaller Streams that Join Wiconisco Creek
Smaller streams that flow into Wiconisco Creek are called tributaries. Some of these include Little Wiconisco Creek, Keefers Run, Big Run, Rattling Creek, and Bear Creek.
Rattling Creek is the biggest tributary. Its watershed covers about 19.6 square miles (50.8 km2). A watershed is the area of land where all the water drains into a particular stream or river. Little Wiconisco Creek is the second largest tributary. Its watershed is about 17.1 square miles (44.3 km2). Big Run is the smallest tributary. Its watershed is about 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2). Rattling Creek also has its own smaller streams that flow into it.
Water Quality of the Creek
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection says that Wiconisco Creek's water quality is affected by several things. These include water from old mines, wastewater, and farming activities. About half of the main creek and large parts of Little Wiconisco Creek are affected. The water quality is also impacted by Bear Creek and three tunnels: the Big Lick Tunnel, Keffer's Tunnel, and the Porter Tunnel.
Land and Climate Around the Creek
The land around the mouth of Wiconisco Creek is about 380 feet (116 meters) above sea level. The highest point in the creek's watershed is on Big Lick Mountain. This spot is about 1,785 feet (544 meters) above sea level. From about 37.5 miles (60.4 km) upstream to its mouth, the creek drops about 11.4 feet (3.5 meters) in elevation for every mile it flows.
The creek flows through a narrow valley, or gorge, for several miles in its lower parts. Upstream from Lykens, it is a fairly small creek. The creek's path is very winding and curvy.
The creek flows over rock formations made of sandstone and shale. There are also deposits of anthracite (a type of coal) in the area around the creek. The main rock formation is called the Mauch Chunk Formation. Other rock types found here include the Pocono Formation and the Pottsville Formation.
The amount of rain in the Wiconisco Creek watershed each year is usually between 40 inches (102 cm) and 50 inches (127 cm).
The Creek's Watershed Area
The watershed of Wiconisco Creek covers about 116 square miles (301 km2). This area is in southwestern Schuylkill County and northern Dauphin County.
Many towns and villages are located in the Wiconisco Creek watershed. Some towns in the western part are Berrysburg, Elizabethville, and Millersburg. In the middle part, you'll find Lykens, Gratz, and Wiconisco. In the eastern part are Tower City and Williamstown.
Important roads in the watershed include U.S. Route 209, Pennsylvania Route 225, and Pennsylvania Route 325. Many smaller local roads are also found here.
Most of the southern part and the northern and northwestern edges of the watershed are covered by forests. This includes Pennsylvania State Game Lands, which are areas set aside for hunting and wildlife. Nearly all of the western part of the watershed is used for farming. You can find patches of old mining land in the eastern half. Most of the towns and cities are in a band that runs through the middle of the watershed from east to west.
History and Name of the Creek
The name Wiconisco Creek comes from a Native American word. It means "wet and dirty camp."
Coal mining has been done in the upper parts of the Wiconisco Creek watershed since the late 1800s. Both strip mining (removing coal from the surface) and deep mining (digging tunnels underground) have taken place. There are still six active mining permits in the watershed today. The remains of an old dam can be seen in the lower parts of the creek.
In the early 1900s, two major railroads followed Wiconisco Creek. The Pennsylvania Railroad followed it from its mouth to Williamstown. The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad followed the creek from its start all the way to Lykens.
Plants and Animals Around the Creek
You can find groves of hemlock trees along Wiconisco Creek. Alder trees also grow there.
Wiconisco Creek is known as a warmwater fishery in Dauphin County. This means it's a good place for fish that prefer warmer water.
Fun Things to Do at the Creek
You can canoe on about 34 miles (55 km) of Wiconisco Creek. The best times to go are when the snow melts in late winter and spring, or a few days after heavy rains. The creek is good for people who are new to canoeing. However, there are some small rapids near the community of Lykens. These are called Class 1 and Class 2 rapids. Edward Gertler, in his book Keystone Canoeing, says the views along the creek are "poor to good."
