Little Shickshinny Creek
| Little Shickshinny Creek | |
|---|---|
Little Shickshinny Creek in its middle reaches
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| Etymology | Native American word for "quick dashing water" |
| Basin | |
| Main source | Briar Creek Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania |
| River mouth | Shickshinny Creek in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania 531 ft (162 m) 41°09′15″N 76°09′17″W / 41.15403°N 76.15486°WCoordinates: 41°09′15″N 76°09′17″W / 41.15403°N 76.15486°W |
| Basin size | 9.8 sq mi (25 km2) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Length | 9.5 mi (15.3 km) |
Little Shickshinny Creek is a tributary of Shickshinny Creek in Columbia County and Luzerne County, in Pennsylvania, United States. It is 9.5 miles (15.3 km), nearly as long as Shickshinny Creek itself. The creek flows through Briar Creek Township, Columbia County; Salem Township, Luzerne County; and the borough of Shickshinny, in Luzerne County. It is designated as a high-quality coldwater fishery. Pennsylvania State Game Lands #55 and #260 are in the creek's watershed. The watershed has an area of 9.8 square miles, which includes swamps and forests. Waterfalls known as the Little Shickshinny Creek Falls are located on the creek.
Little Shickshinny Creek begins near the northwestern edge of Briar Creek Township, Columbia County, between Knob Mountain and Huntington Mountain. The creek flows east for a few miles, heading down into a valley between the two aforementioned mountains. The valley broadens gradually and the creek eventually exits Briar Creek Township.
Upon exiting Briar Creek Township, Little Shickshinny Creek enters Salem Township, Luzerne County. Here, it turns northeast and its valley narrows slightly. After a few more miles, the creek reaches the borough of Shickshinny, where it reaches its confluence with Shickshinny Creek.
Little Shickshinny Creek's mouth is 0.46 miles (0.74 km) upstream of the mouth of Shickshinny Creek.
The watershed of Little Shickshinny Creek has an area of 9.8 square miles.
There is a reservoir on Little Shickshinny Creek. There is also a swamp and some minor development.
A ridge is located in the vicinity of Little Shickshinny Creek in Columbia County. It is in the State Game Lands #55. Plants inhabiting this area include oaks, birches, laurel, and other species. The land on the northern side of the creek is level and not well-drained.
Little Shickshinny Creek flows through a gorge in Pennsylvania State Game Lands #260. There are also waterfalls on the creek here, which are termed the "Little Shickshinny Creek Falls" by Jeff Mitchell in his book Hiking the Endless Mountains. The waterfalls are 30 to 40 feet (9.1 to 12.2 m) high. Sandstone outcroppings appear near the falls. Varved laclustrine sediments may appear on the northern side of the creek. Its valley has experienced glaciation in the past.
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