Moshannon Creek is a
[U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data]
The National Map
accessed August 8, 2011 tributary
A tributary, or an ''affluent'', is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream (''main stem'' or ''"parent"''), river, or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries, and the main stem river into which they ...
of the
West Branch Susquehanna River
The West Branch Susquehanna River is one of the two principal branches, along with the North Branch, of the Susquehanna River in the Northeastern United States. The North Branch, which rises in upstate New York, is generally regarded as the ex ...
in
Centre County,
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...
in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
.
[Gertler, Edward. ''Keystone Canoeing'', Seneca Press, 2004. ] Throughout its length, it serves as the boundary between Centre and
Clearfield counties.
The name ''Moshannon'' is said to be derived from the
Native American "Moss-Hanne," meaning "moose stream."
However, as recognized by Gertler, the North American moose was not native to central Pennsylvania. More likely, the name means "elk stream" from the Lenape word Mos'hanna'unk, which means "elk river place." See Handbook of tribal names of Pennsylvania, together with signification of Indian words; also A History of Great Council of Pennsylvania with articles pertaining to the
Improved Order of Red Men
The Improved Order of Red Men is a List of civic, fraternal, service, and professional organizations, fraternal organization established in North America in 1834. It claims direct descent from the colonial era Sons of Liberty. Their rituals and ...
by Donnalley, Thomas K. Published 1908, page 40.
Moshannon Creek, commonly called the ''Red Moshannon'' or ''Red Mo'', is noted for its reddish-orange rocks, banks and water caused by an iron compound that precipitates out of the acidic waters that seep into the stream from numerous old coal and clay mines in the basin.
While the acidity is a detriment to fish, wild
cranberry
Cranberries are a group of evergreen dwarf shrubs or trailing vines in the subgenus ''Oxycoccus'' of the genus ''Vaccinium''. Cranberries are low, creeping shrubs or vines up to long and in height; they have slender stems that are not th ...
appear to thrive in the environment.
The name ''Red Mo'' is also used to distinguish it from the smaller tributary
Black Moshannon Creek which joins the Red where
PA Route 53 crosses the creek.
The Red Moshannon is the site of an annual canoe and kayak race known as the Red Moshannon Downriver Race which has been held on the last Saturday in March since 1967.
The race course covers approximately from the Peale bridge near the town of
Grassflat to the Rt. 53 bridge and includes several class 1 and class 2 whitewater sections. The course record is 39 minutes, 29 seconds, set in 1993 by Brad Nelson.
Moshannon Creek joins the West Branch Susquehanna River, opposite an area known as Miller's Landing, approximately 3.4 miles (5.5 km) upstream of
Karthaus.
Tributaries
*Ames Run
*Sevenmile Run
*
Black Moshannon Creek
*Crawford Run
*Weber Run
*Browns Run
*Laurel Run
*Potter Run
*Tark Hill Run
*Six Mile Run
*Black Bear Run
*Sulphur Run
*Hawk Run
*Onemile Run
*Emigh Run
*Cold Stream
*Laurel Run
*Big Run
*Shimel Run
*Beaver Run
*Bear Run
*Mountain Branch
*Whiteside Run
*Roup Run
*
Wilson Run
See also
*
List of rivers of Pennsylvania
This is a list of streams and rivers in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
By drainage basin
This list is arranged by drainage basin, with respective tributaries indented under each larger stream's name.
Delaware Bay
Chesapeake Bay
*''E ...
References
External links
"Moshannon Creek, Pennsylvania, US" American Whitewater
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Rivers of Pennsylvania
Tributaries of the West Branch Susquehanna River
Rivers of Centre County, Pennsylvania
Rivers of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania