Beech Creek is a
[U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data]
The National Map
, accessed August 8, 2011 tributary of
Bald Eagle Creek in
Centre and
Clinton
Clinton is an English toponymic surname, indicating one's ancestors came from English places called Glympton or Glinton.Hanks, P. & Hodges, F. ''A Dictionary of Surnames''. Oxford University Press, 1988 Clinton has frequently been used as a given ...
counties, in
Pennsylvania in the
United States.
[Gertler, Edward. ''Keystone Canoeing'', Seneca Press, 2004. ]
Via Bald Eagle Creek, its water flows to the
West Branch Susquehanna River, then the
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River (; Lenape: Siskëwahane) is a major river located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, overlapping between the lower Northeast and the Upland South. At long, it is the longest river on the East Coast of the ...
, and ultimately to
Chesapeake Bay.
Beech Creek is born at the confluence of the North and South Forks, upstream of
Kato, and flows for to join Bald Eagle Creek, downstream of the borough of
Beech Creek.
The abandoned grade of the
Beech Creek Railroad
The Beech Creek Railroad is a defunct railroad which operated in central Pennsylvania between Jersey Shore and Mahaffey. Originally chartered in 1882, it was leased by the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad (later the New York Central Rail ...
follows it along its length, running from its mouth up to the North Fork.
At one time it was called North Branch of the Bald Eagle. It was a thoroughfare for the lumber industry, which made canals alongside the stream so it could be useful during the low water season of summer. There are 3 towns alongside it: Beech Creek borough, and 2 villages: Orviston (Centre County), and Monument (Centre and Clinton Counties).
The lower half of the creek has no fish population due to high sulfur concentrations from coal industry. The creek is not clearing up as fish can't survive in the water. However, some small amounts of moss, mushrooms and wildlife on the banks are returning. Frogs, wolf spiders, bears, squirrels, snakes, groundhogs, bald eagles, deer, skunks, and many other Pennsylvania wildlife can be found alongside the stream, especially in its upper region. Animals tend to avoid drinking the water, but favor the contributing tributaries. Additionally, on Beech Creek Mountain, one can find active sulfur springs. Evidence is available on Sproul State Forest (41.111978, -77.664207). The south fork of the Beech Creek stream which flows in Centre County gets stocked with trout every year.
Beech Creek flows through Beech Creek Township (Clinton County), Liberty Township (Centre County), and Curtain Township (Centre county).
The stream is abundant with sand stones, flint and granite, though in some spots clay can be found. Beech, oak, maple, ash, trembling willow and sumac trees grow along with elephant ear tall grass, fern, barberry and other plants like skunk cabbage. The stream is a good swimming stream but in certain spots it is posted,
See also
*
List of rivers of Pennsylvania
References
External links
U.S. Geological Survey: PA stream gaging stations
{{authority control
Rivers of Pennsylvania
Tributaries of the West Branch Susquehanna River
Rivers of Centre County, Pennsylvania
Rivers of Clinton County, Pennsylvania