Muncy Creek
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Good article Template:Infobox river Muncy Creek (also known as Big Muncy Creek<ref name = "historylycoming">Template:Citation</ref>) is a tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Sullivan County and Lycoming County, in Pennsylvania, United States. It is approximately Template:Convert long.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> The watershed of the creek has an area of Template:Convert. The creek's discharge averages Template:Convert at Sonestown, but can be up to a thousand times higher at Muncy. The headwaters of the creek are on the Allegheny Plateau. Rock formations in the watershed include the Chemung Formation and the Catskill Formation.
There are a number of lakes in the watershed of Muncy Creek, including Eagles Mere Lake, Highland Lake, and Beaver Lake. The creek was known as Occohpocheny to Native Americans. The area in its vicinity was settled in 1783. Various other industries and mills were constructed in the creek's vicinity from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. Wild trout naturally reproduce in part of Muncy Creek. Part of the creek is navigable by canoe.
Course
Muncy Creek begins in southeastern Laporte Township, Sullivan County, near its border with Davidson Township, Sullivan County. The creek flows southwest and then west for a short distance before reaching the border between Laporte Township and Davidson Township. It then turns southwest as it begins to follow this border. Shortly afterwards it turns northwest and begins to flow into a valley, then turns west and begins receiving very short tributaries from both sides. Examples of these include Rock Run and Lopez Pond Branch. After picking up Peters Creek, one such tributary, Muncy Creek turns southwest and passes the community of Nordmont, where the tributary Elklick Run flows into it. The creek then turns southwest and later west. Deep Hollow Run then enters the creek, which heads south away from the Laporte Township/Davidson Township border.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Upon leaving behind the Laporte Township/Davidson Township border, the creek enters Davidson Township and heads west-southwest, passing a gauging station. After several miles, it reaches the community of Sonestown, where the tributary Big Run flows into it from the north. Muncy Creek then makes a sharp bend south and begins flowing parallel to U.S. Route 220. After a few miles, it passes the community of Muncy Valley and makes a sharp turn south, exiting Davidson Township.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Upon exiting Davidson Township, Sullivan County, Muncy Creek enters Lycoming County and flows along the border between Shrewsbury Township and Penn Township for several miles. It continues following U.S. Route 220 during this time, picking up a few tributaries, including Lick Run. The creek also passes by Glen Mawr and Tivoli during this stretch. Beyond the stretch, in Picture Rocks, the creek crosses Pennsylvania Route 864. Beyond the community, the creek continues south into Wolf Township, leaving its valley passing by the eastern edge of Hughesville. Some distance further on, the creek receives the tributary Sugar Run and some miles later leaves Wolf Township in a southwesterly direction. Upon exiting Wolf Township, the creek enters Muncy Creek Township, where Little Muncy Creek flows into it. Muncy Creek then turns northeast, crossing Pennsylvania Route 405 and turns southwest, crossing Interstate 180. The creek then receives the tributary Wolf Run and immediately afterwards empties into the West Branch Susquehanna River.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Muncy Creek joins the West Branch Susquehanna River is Template:Convert upstream of its mouth.<ref name = "gaz"/>
Tributaries
Significant tributaries of Muncy Creek include Little Muncy Creek and Wolf Run. The watershed of Little Muncy Creek has an area of Template:Convert. This creek reaches its confluence with Muncy Creek Template:Convert upstream of its mouth. The watershed of Wolf Run has an area of Template:Convert. This stream reaches its confluence with Muncy Creek Template:Convert upstream of its mouth.<ref name = "gaz">Template:Citation</ref> Other large tributaries of the creek include Lewis Creek, Rock Run, and Sugar Run. The watersheds of these tributaries have areas of Template:Convert, Template:Convert, and Template:Convert, respectively. Muncy Creek also has numerous minor tributaries.<ref name = "water resources"/>
Hydrology
The highest recorded discharge of Muncy Creek near Muncy is Template:Convert per second.<ref name = "usgswaters"/> In 2012 and 2013, the creek's discharge at this location ranged from Template:Convert per second.<ref name = "usgswaters"/> The discharge of the creek at Sonestown averages 44.9 cubic feet per second.<ref name = "surfacewater">Template:Citation</ref> The osmotic pressure of the stream's waters at this location ranged from less than 1 up to 4 millios-moles per Template:Convert.<ref name = "usgswaters">Template:Citation</ref> The annual rate of precipitation near the creek ranges from Template:Convert.<ref name = "water resources"/>
The pH of Muncy Creek's waters near Muncy ranged from 7.0 to 7.5 in 2012 and 2013. The stream's specific conductance ranged from 89 to 134 micro-siemens per centimeter at Template:Convert.<ref name = "usgswaters"/>
Between November 2012 and September 2013, the lowest recorded water temperatures of Muncy Creek at Muncy were Template:Convert on January 9, 2013 and Template:Convert on March 19, 2013. The highest recorded water temperatures were Template:Convert and Template:Convert, on September 4, 2013 and July 9, 2013, respectively.<ref name = "usgswaters"/>
The concentration of dissolved solids in Muncy Creek ranges from Template:Convert. The concentration of suspended solids, however, is always less than Template:Convert. The water hardness of the creek (in terms of the concentration of calcium carbonate) ranges from Template:Convert. The concentration of calcium in the creek ranges from Template:Convert. Its magnesium concentration can be as low as Template:Convert or as high as Template:Convert, while its sodium concentration ranges from Template:Convert.<ref name = "usgswaters"/>
There are trace amounts of bromides, phosphorus, orthophosphates, and ammonia in Muncy Creek. All of these occur in concentrations of 0.3 milligrams per liter or less. Nitrites occur in concentrations of less than Template:Convert. The chloride concentration in the creek ranges from Template:Convert. The minimum sulfate concentration is Template:Convert and the maximum is Template:Convert milligrams per liter. The minimum nitrate concentration is Template:Convert milligrams per liter and the maximum is Template:Convert milligrams per liter. The total concentration of nitrogen in the creek ranges from Template:Convert.<ref name = "usgswaters"/>
The concentration of aluminum in Muncy Creek ranges from less than Template:Convert up to Template:Convert and the copper concentration is always less than Template:Convert micrograms per liter. The lead concentration is always less than Template:Convert. In 2013, the creek's concentration of manganese was observed to be Template:Convert. The zinc concentration ranges from less than Template:Convert up to Template:Convert. The nickel and selenium concentrations are less than Template:Convert, respectively, while the boron concentration is less than Template:Convert. The creek's strontium concentration is Template:Convert.<ref name = "usgswaters"/>
Geography and geology
The mouth of Muncy Creek has an elevation of slightly less than Template:Convert, while the source of the creek has an elevation of between Template:Convert and Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> The headwaters of the creek are more than Template:Convert higher than its mouth.<ref name = "report"/> The headwaters of Muncy Creek are mountainous and are situated on the Allegheny Plateau.<ref name = "report"/><ref name = "thegeology"/> The southern edge of the Allegheny Mountain runs from the creek west as far as Lock Haven or Pine Creek.<ref name = "thegeology"/> The valley of Muncy Creek is surrounded by scalloped hills.<ref name = "nowandthen">Template:Citation</ref> Muncy Creek's course winds significantly, but flows generally southwest.<ref name = "report"/>
A narrow belt of the Chemung Formation occurs along Muncy Creek in Shrewsbury Township, Lycoming County.<ref name = "historylycoming"/> An outcropping of the Catskill Formation also occurs along parts of the creek in Jordan Township, Lycoming County. The Chemung Formation has an outcropping on the creek near Moreland. This outcropping is Template:Convert high and gray in color. It consists of shale and sandstone. Red shale is also found on the creek.<ref name = "thegeology">Template:Citation</ref> In general, rock formations consisting of sandstone and shale are found along much of the creek, while rock formations of limestone occur close to its mouth.<ref name = "water resources"/>
The Tombs Run and Muncy Creek Anticline runs parallel to the creek through northern Penn Township, Lycoming County and also enters Sullivan County near the creek.<ref name = "thegeology"/> The creek also has a cliff known as Picture Rock on it. An area of boulders on the creek forms a Class 2 rapid. There is a levee on Muncy Creek in Hughesville.<ref name = "keystonecanoeing">Template:Citation</ref>
The soils in the valley of Muncy Creek are deep but relatively poor.<ref name = "thegeology"/> However, farming was done in the valley in the late 1800s and still is as of the late 1900s.<ref name = "thegeology"/><ref name = "keystonecanoeing"/> The valley has forested hills on either side.<ref name = "keystonecanoeing"/> The Morris-Oquaga-Wellsboro soil series is found along the creek in Sullivan County.<ref name = "sullivaninventory">Template:Citation</ref>
The channel of Muncy Creek is sinuous with high streambanks and the creek has cobble and gravel bars.<ref name = "water resources"/><ref name = "keystonecanoeing"/> There are a few strainers on the creek.<ref name = "keystonecanoeing"/>
Watershed
The watershed of Muncy Creek has an area of Template:Convert.<ref name = "gaz"/> The area of the watershed upstream of Hugesville comprises approximately half of the total watershed.<ref name = "report">Template:Citation</ref> The area of the creek's watershed upstream of Sonestown is Template:Convert.<ref name = "surfacewater"/> The watershed of the creek occupies parts of Lycoming County, Sullivan County, Columbia County, and Montour County.<ref name = "water resources">Template:Citation</ref>
There are a number of lakes in the watershed of Muncy Creek. The largest is Eagles Mere Lake, which has an area of Template:Convert. Hunters Lake has an area of Template:Convert and Highland Lake has an area of Template:Convert. Additionally, Beaver Lake (which has an area of Template:Convert) is located in the watershed of the tributary Little Muncy creek.<ref name = "water resources"/>
Communities in the watershed of Muncy Creek include Hugesville, Picture Rocks, Lairdsville, and Sonestown. Smaller communities in the creek's watershed include Muncy Valley, Eagles Mere, and Nordmont.<ref name = "water resources"/>
In the late 1800s, the only road in Davidson Township, Sullivan County besides the Susquehanna and Tioga Turnpike passed near Muncy Creek and the settlements along it.<ref name = "thegeology"/> The valley of Muncy Creek is largely undeveloped, largely lacking even summer camps.<ref name = "keystonecanoeing"/>
History
Muncy Creek derives its name from the Munsee Indians.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The name sometimes has been spelled "Muncey Creek".<ref name = "gnis">Template:Citation</ref>
Muncy Creek was known to the Native Americans as Occohpocheny.<ref name = "nowandthen"/> Historically, Native Americans painted on Picture Rock, a cliff on the creek.<ref name = "keystonecanoeing"/> Additionally, six Native American lance heads made of stone were found near the creek by Joseph Fahrenbach in the autumn of 1872.<ref name = "nowandthen"/>
Muncy Creek was settled in 1783 by John Beeber. In 1797, the Willow Grove Mill was built on Muncy Creek in 1797 by Isaac Walton and by the late 1800s, there was a sawmill on the creek in Shrewsbury Township, Lycoming County. A woolen mill was also built on the creek in Wolf Township, Lycoming County in 1842.<ref name = "historylycoming"/> An aqueduct carrying the West Branch Canal once crossed Muncy Creek.<ref name = "muncy"/>
Historically, railroads ran parallel to Muncy Creek Template:Convert upstream from its mouth, as far as the community of Nordmont. There were also numerous railroad stations on the creek upstream from the community of Picture Rocks.<ref name = "report"/> The Reading Railroad also had a bridge over the creek in the past.<ref name = "muncy">Template:Citation</ref> The creek experienced severe flooding in 1889.<ref name = "nowandthen"/>
In the early 1900s, many of the sewers in the community of Eagles Mere discharged into tributaries of Muncy Creek, such as Outlet Run. Sewage was also discharged into Muncy Creek in Hugesville. Additionally, in the early 1900s, the waters of Muncy Creek were contaminated with tannery waste products from Muncy Valley and also chemicals. For this reason, the creek was only used for power during this time. Additionally, a methyl alcohol plant, the Nordmont Chemical Works, discharged chemicals into the creek at Nordstown.<ref name = "report"/> Other major industries in the watershed in the early part of the 1900s included clay mines and furniture factories.<ref name = "water resources"/>
Biology
From its headwaters to a point Template:Convert upstream of its mouth, the drainage basin of Muncy Creek is designated as Exceptional Value and a Migratory Fishery. From this point downstream to the US Route 220 bridge at Muncy Valley, the creek's main stem is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. From this point downstream to its mouth, the main stem is designated as a Trout Stocked Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Wild trout naturally reproduce in the creek from Trout Run downstream to its mouth.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
A total of 92 percent of assessed streams in the watershed of Muncy Creek are inhabited by trout. Of the inhabited streams, 82 percent are inhabited only by brook trout, nine percent are inhabited by only brown trout, and nine percent are inhabited by both brook trout and brown trout.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> A number of tributaries of the creek are designated as high-quality coldwater fisheries. These include Lick Run, Roaring Run, Rock Run, and Spring Run in Lycoming County and Big Run, Trout Run, and a number of others in Sullivan County.<ref name = "sullivaninventory"/><ref name = "lycominginventory"/>
There are some forested areas in the floodplains of Muncy Creek in the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Hughesville. The Natural Areas Inventory of Lycoming County recommended retaining the natural vegetation in this area to improve water quality.<ref name = "lycominginventory">Template:Citation</ref>
Recreation
It is possible to canoe on Muncy Creek during snowmelts or shortly after heavier rainstorms. Although the creek is used for canoeing by locals, it is less popular for this use than the nearby Loyalsock Creek. Edward Gertler considers the creek to be especially good for novice canoers. He describes Muncy Creek as a "pleasing but generally mediocre mountain stream" in his book Keystone Canoeing. However, it is only possible to canoe on the creek downstream of the plateau of North Mountain. A total of Template:Convert of the creek is canoeable. The difficulty rating of Muncy Creek for canoeing ranges from 1+ to 2.<ref name = "keystonecanoeing"/>
There is a boat ramp belonging to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in the lower reaches of Muncy Creek. It can also serve as a take-out for canoers on the creek.<ref name = "keystonecanoeing"/>