Shamokin Creek
Shamokin Creek is a 32.4-mile-long (52.1 km)[1] tributary of the Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania in the United States. The creek drains most of southeastern Northumberland County and part of southwestern Columbia County. The creek receives drainage from many now-defunct coal mines, and the acid mine drainage results in much of the water falling under the Environmental Protection Agency's "water quality limited waters" designation. Shamokin Creek empties into the Susquehanna River south of Sunbury.
Tributaries
- North Branch Shamokin Creek
- Locust Creek
- Quaker Run
- Coal Run
- Carbon Run
Tributary streams
- Buck Run
- Dark Run
- Trout Run
- Buddys Run
- Millers Run
- Lick Creek
- Kulps Run
- Sunnyside Run
- Elysburg Run
Pollution
The effects of mine runoff have made the Shamokin Creek one of the most polluted water ways in Pennsylvania. The creek transports around 5,000 pounds of lead to the Susquehanna River annually. The Shamokin Creek contributes 53% of the total lead that reaches the Susquehanna River.[2] The EPA advises against any swimming in or consumption of the water of the Shamokin Creek.[3] The Shamokin Creek is presently devoid of any aquatic life.
See also
References
- ↑ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed August 8, 2011
- ↑ http://newsitem.com/news/turning-a-menace-into-a-resource-1.1221262#axzz1bRgXmB9r
- ↑ http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/tmdl/pa_tmdl/ShamokinCreek/ShamokinAL_DR.pdf
