Buffalo Creek (West Branch Susquehanna River)
| Buffalo Creek | |
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Buffalo Creek from the Hayes Bridge in West Buffalo Township, Union County, Pennsylvania
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| Basin features | |
| Main source | Branch Mountain in Hartley Township, Union County, Pennsylvania between 2,080 and 2,100 feet (630 and 640 m) |
| River mouth | West Branch Susquehanna River on the border between Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania and Kelly Township, Union County, Pennsylvania between 420 and 440 feet (130 and 130 m) 40°58′09″N 76°52′57″W / 40.9693°N 76.8824°WCoordinates: 40°58′09″N 76°52′57″W / 40.9693°N 76.8824°W |
| Progression | West Branch Susquehanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 134 sq mi (350 km2) |
| Tributaries | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Length | 28.5 mi (45.9 km) |
Buffalo Creek is a tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Union County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 28.5 miles (45.9 km) long and flows through Hartley Township, Lewis Township, West Buffalo Township, Mifflinburg, Buffalo Township, Kelly Township, and Lewisburg. Its watershed has an area of 134 square miles (350 km2). It is in the ridge-and-valley province of the Appalachian Mountains. Some streams and parts of streams in the creek's watershed are high-quality cold-water fisheries. There are ten types of rock formations and eight types of soil series in the watershed. The forests in the Buffalo Creek watershed are mostly deciduous hardwood, hemlock, and pine.
The waters of Buffalo Creek are slightly acidic, with a pH ranging between 5.0 and 6.7. Metals such as magnesium have been observed in the waters. Nonmetals in the water include dissolved oxygen, calcium carbonate, suspended solids, and phosphorus.
The etymology of Buffalo Creek is unknown. No buffalo have ever been definitely observed on the creek, although there are rumors about old buffalo wallows. Buffalo Township, Buffalo Valley, and Buffalo Mountain are all named after the creek. Historical industries in the watershed included mills and timbering, but livestock raising and agriculture are more common in the 21st century.
Buffalo Creek begins in Hartley Township, in Union County, near the Union County/Centre County border. It flows east and slightly north between Buffalo Mountain and Branch Mountain before falling steeply through two geographical features known as the Gooseneck and Buffalo Gap. The creek then turns southeast and flows out of Hartley Township. Upon leaving Hartley Township, the creek enters Lewis Township and meanders eastward, south of Jones Mountain. It passes through the Mifflinburg Reservoir. The creek then flows into southern West Buffalo Township and northern Mifflinburg. Shortly before exiting West Buffalo Township, Buffalo Creek picks up its tributary North Branch Buffalo Creek and briefly turns northwards before turning eastward again and leaving the township.
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