Muddy Run (Spruce Run)
| Muddy Run | |
|---|---|
Muddy Run at its mouth, with Spruce Run visible in the background
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | near the base of Buffalo Mountain in West Buffalo Township, Union County, Pennsylvania between 780 and 800 feet (238 and 244 m) |
| River mouth | Spruce Run in Buffalo Township, Union County, Pennsylvania 486 ft (148 m) 40°58′47″N 76°59′02″W / 40.97969°N 76.98382°WCoordinates: 40°58′47″N 76°59′02″W / 40.97969°N 76.98382°W |
| Length | 4.8 mi (7.7 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Spruce Run → Buffalo Creek → West Branch Susquehanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 4.57 sq mi (11.8 km2) |
Muddy Run is a tributary of Spruce Run in Union County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.8 miles (7.7 km) long and flows through West Buffalo Township and Buffalo Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 4.57 square miles (11.8 km2). Part of the stream is designated as an impaired waterbody due to sedimentation and siltation from grazing-related agriculture. The majority of the watershed is forested, but there is also a considerable amount of agricultural land. A bridge has been constructed over the stream in the community of Mazeppa.
Muddy Run begins near the base of Buffalo Mountain in West Buffalo Township. It flows east-southeast for several tenths of a mile before turning east-northeast and then east-southeast. Several tenths of a mile further downstream, the stream turns south-southeast for a few tenths of a mile before entering Buffalo Township and turning east for a few miles. It then turns southeast for several tenths of a mile before turning northeast. Several hundred feet further downstream, it reaches its confluence with Spruce Run.
Muddy Run joins Spruce Run 0.34 miles (0.55 km) upstream of its mouth.
A total of 2.6 miles (4.2 km) of streams in the watershed of Muddy Run are designated as impaired waterbodies. The cause of the impairment is sedimentation/siltation and the source of the impairment is grazing-related agriculture. The total maximum daily load date is 2015. In addition to sediment, Muddy Run is also affected by E. coli, nutrient pollution, and thermal radiation.
In 2000, the load of sediment in Muddy Run was 526,669 pounds (238,893 kg), while in 2008 it was 494,901 pounds (224,483 kg). This equates to somewhere between 150 and 200 pounds per acre (170 and 220 kg/ha). In the future, the load could be reduced by 50.30 percent to 245,956 pounds (111,564 kg) per year. In 2000, the nitrogen load in the stream was 37,176 pounds (16,863 kg) and in 2008, it was 36,879 pounds (16,728 kg). This equates to somewhere between 10 and 15 pounds per acre (11 and 17 kg/ha). In the future, the nitrogen load could be reduced by 20.26 percent to 29,406 pounds (13,338 kg) per year. In 2000 and 2008, the phosphorus load was 1,372 and 1,343 pounds (622 and 609 kg), respectively. This equates to more than 0.4 pounds per acre (0.45 kg/ha). In the future, the phosphorus load could be reduced by 37.53 percent to 839 pounds (381 kg) per year.
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