Martin Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.0 miles (3.2 km) long and flows through Northmoreland Township and Eaton Township.[1] The watershed of the creek has an area of 2.25 square miles (5.8 km2). It is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. The creek is not designated as an impaired waterbody.
| Martin Creek | |
|---|---|
 Martin Creek looking upstream | |
 | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | valley in Northmoreland Township, Pennsylvania |
| • elevation | between 1,040 and 1,060 feet (317 and 323 m) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Susquehanna River in Northmoreland Township, Pennsylvania |
• coordinates | 41°27′19″N 75°53′33″W / 41.45528°N 75.89244°W |
• elevation | 558 ft (170 m) |
| Length | 2.0 mi (3.2 km) |
| Basin size | 2.25 sq mi (5.8 km2) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | one unnamed tributary |
Course
edit
Martin Creek begins in a valley in Northmoreland Township. It flows northeast for a few tenths of a mile before turning east-northeast for several tenths of a mile. The creek then turns north for a short distance, enters Eaton Township, and receives an unnamed tributary from the left before turning east-southeast and reentering Northmoreland Township. Several tenths of a mile further downstream, it reaches its confluence with the Susquehanna River.[1]
Martin Creek joins the Susquehanna River 211.26 miles (339.99 km) upriver of its mouth.[2]
Tributaries
editMartin Creek has no named tributaries.[1] However, it does have an unnamed tributary.[3]
Hydrology
editMartin Creek is not designated as an impaired waterbody.[4]
Geography and geology
editThe elevation near the mouth of Martin Creek is 558 feet (170 m) above sea level.[5] The elevation of the creek's source is between 1,040 and 1,060 feet (317 and 323 m) above sea level.[1]
The surficial geology along most of the length of Martin Creek features Wisconsinan Till. However, patches of alluvium and Wisconsinan Ice-Contact Stratified Drift occur in the creek's vicinity as well. There is also Wisconsinan Outwash near its mouth.[6]
Watershed
editThe watershed of Martin Creek has an area of 2.25 square miles (5.8 km2).[2] The creek is entirely within the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Center Moreland.[5] The community of Keelersburg is located near its mouth.[6]
The designated use for Martin Creek is aquatic life.[4]
Williams Field Services has applied for a permit to operate and maintain a gathering pipeline for natural gas in the watershed of Martin Creek. Such a pipeline would have a diameter of 24 inches (61 cm) and crosses an unnamed tributary of the creek.[3]
History
editMartin Creek was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1199117.[5]
There is a bridge carrying State Route 2007 (Keelersburg Road) over Martin Creek. In 2012, a permanent bridge repair was approved for the bridge.[7]
Biology
editThe drainage basin of Martin Creek is designated as a Coldwater fishery and a Migratory Fishery.[8] The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold a meeting in January 2018 to consider adding the entire length of the creek, along with many other streams, to its list of wild trout streams.[9]
See also
edit- Fitch Creek, next tributary of the Susquehanna River going downriver
- Moneypenny Creek, next tributary of the Susquehanna River going upriver
- List of rivers of Pennsylvania
References
edit- ^ a b c d United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer, archived from the original on March 29, 2012, retrieved September 7, 2015
- ^ a b Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, p. 95, retrieved September 8, 2015
- ^ a b "Notices" (PDF), Pennsylvania Bulletin, p. 29, February 9, 2013, retrieved September 8, 2015
- ^ a b United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2006 Waterbody Report for Martin Creek, retrieved September 8, 2015
- ^ a b c Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: Martin Creek, retrieved September 8, 2015
- ^ a b Duane D. Braun, Surficial geology of the Center Moreland 7.5-minute quadrangle, Wyoming and Luzerne Counties, Pennsylvania, p. 15, archived from the original on May 24, 2014, retrieved September 8, 2015
- ^ Package Document, March 12, 2012, retrieved September 8, 2015
- ^ "§ 93.9i. Drainage List I. Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania Susquehanna River", Pennsylvania Code, retrieved September 8, 2015
- ^ Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Classification of Wild Trout Streams Proposed Additions and Revisions January 2018 (PDF), p. 6, retrieved January 7, 2018