Neshaminy Creek (Nishamening "at the place we drink twice") | |
Country | United States |
---|---|
State | Pennsylvania |
County | Bucks County |
Source | |
- coordinates | 40°16′59″N 75°12′19″W / 40.28306°N 75.20528°W |
Mouth | |
- elevation | 49 ft (15 m) |
- coordinates | 40°4′26″N 74°54′32″W / 40.07389°N 74.90889°WCoordinates: 40°4′26″N 74°54′32″W / 40.07389°N 74.90889°W |
Length | 40.7 mi (66 km) |
Basin | 17.40 sq mi (45 km2) |
Neshaminy Creek is a 40.7-mile-long (65.5 km)stream that runs entirely through Bucks County, Pennsylvania, rising south of the borough of Chalfont, where its north and west branches join. Neshaminy Creek flows southeast toward Bristol Township and Bensalem Township to its confluence with the Delaware River. The name "Neshaminy" originates with the Lenni Lenape and is thought to mean "place where we drink twice". This phenomenon refers to a section of the creek known as the Neshaminy Palisades, where the course of the water slows and changes direction at almost a right angle, nearly forcing the water back upon itself. These palisades are located in Dark Hollow Park, operated by the county, and are flanked by Warwick Township to the south and Buckingham Township to the north.
The watershed of the Neshaminy Creek covers an area of approximately 236 square miles (610 km2), 86 percent of which is located in Bucks County and 14 percent in Montgomery County. It is part of the greater Delaware River watershed. The creek's course runs mostly through suburban areas to the north of Philadelphia. However, the course of the creek does run through a few sections of rural and semi-rural terrain, and some forested areas remain. Neshaminy Creek passes through two state parks, Tyler State Park and Neshaminy State Park.