Turkey Run (West Branch Susquehanna River)

Turkey Run

Turkey Run looking downstream
Basin
Progression West Branch Susquehanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay
Main source base of a large mountain in Clinton Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Source elevation 596 ft (182 m)
River mouth West Branch Susquehanna River in Clinton Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania near Seagers
41°10′56″N 76°49′08″W / 41.1823°N 76.8188°W / 41.1823; -76.8188Coordinates: 41°10′56″N 76°49′08″W / 41.1823°N 76.8188°W / 41.1823; -76.8188
Mouth elevation 459 ft (140 m)
Basin area 2.18 sq mi (5.6 km2)
Length 2.2 mi (3.5 km)

Turkey Run is a tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long and flows through Clinton Township.[1] The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.18 square miles (5.6 km2). The stream is not designated as an impaired waterbody. It is a relatively small stream and is located near State Correctional Institution – Muncy. The stream's watershed is designated as a Warmwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Course

Turkey Run looking upstream

Turkey Run begins at the base of a large mountain in Clinton Township. It flows east for a few tenths of a mile before turning south and passing through a small pond. After a few tenths of a mile, the stream turns southeast for several tenths of a mile, passing through another small pond, crossing Pennsylvania Route 405, and crossing railroad tracks. It then turns south-southwest for several tenths of a mile before reaching its confluence with the West Branch Susquehanna River.[1]

Turkey Run joins the West Branch Susquehanna River 25.64 miles (41.26 km) upstream of its mouth.[2]

Hydrology

Turkey Run is not designated as an impaired waterbody.[3]

Geography and geology

The elevation near the mouth of Turkey Run is 459 feet (140 m) above sea level.[4] The elevation of the stream's source is 596 feet (182 m) above sea level.[1]

Turkey Run was described as a "small stream" in an 1892 book of Lycoming County history.[5] The stream is in a region known as the Black Hole Valley, along with Black Hole Creek.[6]

Watershed

The watershed of Turkey Run has an area of 2.18 square miles (5.6 km2).[2] The stream is entirely within the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Muncy.[4] Its mouth is located within 1 mile (1.6 km) of Seagers.[2]

The designated use for Turkey Run is aquatic life.[3] The stream is not far from Williamsport, but is on the opposite bank of the West Branch Susquehanna River.[7] The State Correctional Institution Muncy is located near the headwaters of Turkey Run.[8]

History

Turkey Run was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1189947.[4]

Peter Smith had a farm on Turkey Run by 1778. His wife and children were killed in July 1778. In August of that year, a group of soldiers and militia were sent to the farm to protect people helping Smith harvest his crop.[7] Turkey Run provided power to gristmills and sawmills in the early days of settlement in the stream's vicinity.[6]

A bridge carrying Pennsylvania Route 405 crosses Turkey Run. In 2013, an $85,000 bridge replacement was planned for 2014 to 2016.[9] Turkey Run Partners once applied for and/or received a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit to discharge stormwater into the stream during construction activities.[10]

Biology

The drainage basin of Turkey Run is designated as a Warmwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.[11] In the 1970s, the stream was described as being "moderately depressed" downstream of the State Correctional Institute Muncy.[8]

See also

References

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