West Branch Mahantango Creek

West Branch Mahantango Creek is a tributary of Mahantango Creek in Snyder County and Juniata County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 18 miles (29 km) in length. The creek starts on Shade Mountain in Snyder County. It ends at its confluence with Mahantango Creek. Most of the land in the watershed is devoted to forest or agriculture. Trout and minnows have been observed in the creek, which is stocked with trout. A covered bridge was built over it in 1908.

West Branch Mahantango Creek starts in the Allen Gap on Shade Mountain in Bald Eagle State Forest. The source is located in West Perry Township, Snyder County. The creek flows southeast down the mountain to the Snyder County/Juniata County line. From here, the creek turns eastward and follows the county line, as well as roughly following Pennsylvania Route 35. After about 3 miles (4.8 km), the creek turns southward, following the county line, but no longer paralleling Pennsylvania Route 35. It passes by Forrey Ridge before turning eastward again after about one mile. After several miles, the creek meanders past the Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 194. At this point, the stream, along with North Branch Mahantango Creek, flows into Mahantango Creek. Mahantango Creek continues approximately two miles eastward before flowing into the Susquehanna River.

West Branch Mahantango Creek is entirely located in West Perry Township, Snyder County and Monroe Township, Juniata County. The creek and all its tributaries make up a total of 19.98 stream miles. The upper part of the watershed is considered "impaired" by the state of Pennsylvania. The impaired section of the watershed occupies 9.83 square miles.

Out of the impaired upper portion of the West Branch Mahantango Creek watershed, 66% of the land is forest, 28% is devoted to agriculture, and 6% has other uses. In the impaired area of the watershed, hay and pastureland makes up 741 acres. Cropland takes up 1018 acres and forest takes up 4154 acres. Wetland occupies 32 acres and low-intensity development occupies 336 acres. There are 5 acres of land in transition and 5 acres of high-intensity development.

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