North Branch Buffalo Creek

North Branch Buffalo Creek
North Branch Buffalo Creek in The Hook Natural Area
Basin features
Main source	wetland in Haines Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania between 1,720 and 1,740 feet (520 and 530 m)
River mouth	Buffalo Creek in West Buffalo Township, Union County, Pennsylvania 531 ft (162 m) 40°55′54″N 77°02′10″W / 40.9318°N 77.0361°W / 40.9318; -77.0361Coordinates: 40°55′54″N 77°02′10″W / 40.9318°N 77.0361°W / 40.9318; -77.0361
Progression	Buffalo Creek → West Branch Susquehanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay
Basin size	22.9 sq mi (59 km2)
Tributaries	Left: Panther Run Right: Coal Run
Physical characteristics
Length	13.5 mi (21.7 km)

North Branch Buffalo Creek is a tributary of Buffalo Creek in Centre County and Union County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 13.5 miles (21.7 km) long and flows through Haines Township in Centre County and Hartley Township, Lewis Township, and West Buffalo Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 22.9 square miles (59 km²). The creek has two named tributaries: Panther Run and Coal Run. Some streams in the watershed are impacted by nutrients, sedimentation, and siltation. The creek generally flows through mountainous terrain and has a sinuous channel. Rock formations made of sandstone are in its watershed and rock containing carbonate minerals is at its headwaters.

Roughly seven eighths of the watershed of North Branch Buffalo Creek is on forested land, but agricultural land such as row crops and pastures occurs, as do impervious surfaces. The creek was historically used as water power for a number of mills and logging and agriculture have also been historically done in its watershed. It passes through a water supply reservoir known as the Mifflinburg Reservoir. A number of bridges have also been constructed across it.

The drainage basin of North Branch Buffalo Creek is designated as Exceptional Value waters in one reach, a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery in another reach, and a Migratory Fishery throughout. Several types of trout inhabit it, both naturally and through . The creek has a healthy population of benthic macroinvertebrates. It flows through The Hook Natural Area and Bald Eagle State Forest. A number of hiking trails are in its vicinity.

North Branch Buffalo Creek begins in a wetland in Haines Township, Centre County. It flows east-northeast for several tenths of a mile through a deep, narrow valley before exiting Haines Township and Centre County.