Obendoffers Creek

Obendoffers Creek (also known as Obendorfers Creek) is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long and flows through Exeter Township.[1] The watershed of the creek has an area of 2.08 square miles (5.4 km2). It is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. The surficial geology in its vicinity consists of alluvium, alluvial fan, Wisconsinan Ice-Contact Stratified Drift, Wisconsinan Till, and bedrock.

Obendoffers Creek
Obendorfers Creek
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationvalley to the northwest of Peterson Mountain in Exeter Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
 • elevationbetween 1,160 and 1,180 feet (350 and 360 m)
Mouth 
 • location
Susquehanna River in Exeter Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
 • coordinates
41°21′46″N 75°48′28″W
 • elevation
538 ft (164 m)
Length2.4 mi (3.9 km)
Basin size2.08 sq mi (5.4 km2)
Basin features
ProgressionSusquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay

Course

Obendoffers Creek begins in a valley to the northwest of Peterson Mountain in Exeter Township. It flows northeast for a few tenths of a mile before turning east-northeast as its valley deepens. After several tenths of a mile, the creek turns east-southeast for several tenths of a mile. It then turns southeast and crosses Pennsylvania Route 92 before turning east. The creek then turns east for several hundred feet before reaching its confluence with the Susquehanna River.[1]

Obendoffers Creek joins the Susquehanna River 199.96 miles (321.80 km) upriver of its mouth.[2]

Geography and geology

The elevation near the mouth of Obendoffers Creek is 538 feet (164 m) above sea level.[3] The elevation of the creek's source is between 1,160 and 1,180 feet (350 and 360 m) above sea level.[1]

The surficial geology in the vicinity of the mouth of Obendoffers Creek consists of alluvial fan and alluvium, both of which contain stratified sand, silt, and gravel. Further upstream, there is alluvium, Wisconsinan Ice-Contact Stratified Drift, and bedrock consisting of coal, conglomerate, sandstone, and shale. However, in the vicinity of the creek's upper reaches, the surficial geology mainly consists of the bedrock and a glacial or resedimented till known as Wisconsinan Till.[4]

One proposed route for the Susquehanna-Roseland 500 kV Transmission Line would pass through the watershed of Obendoffers Creek.[5]

Watershed

The watershed of Obendoffers Creek has an area of 2.08 square miles (5.4 km2).[2] The creek is entirely within the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Pittston.[3]

History

Obendoffers Creek was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1182856.[3] The creek is also known as Obendorfers Creek.[6]

PPL Electric Utilities once requested a permit to discharge stormwater associated with construction activities into Obendoffers Creek and a number of other nearby streams.[7] A bridge carrying State Route 1038/Obendorfers Road crosses the creek as well.[6] A bridge replacement/rehabilitation project has been programmed for the bridge, which is structurally deficient.[6][8]

Biology

The drainage basin of Obendoffers Creek is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.[9]

See also

References
  1. United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer, archived from the original on April 5, 2012, retrieved June 28, 2015
  2. Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, p. 107, retrieved June 28, 2015
  3. Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: Obendoffers Creek, retrieved June 28, 2015
  4. Duane D. Braun (February 2008), Surficial geology of the Pittston 7.5-minute quadrangle, Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties, Pennsylvania, p. 16, retrieved June 28, 2015
  5. EXHIBIT C – SITING ANALYSIS (PDF), December 7, 2008, p. 25, archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2015, retrieved June 28, 2015
  6. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, SR 1038 ov Obendorfers Cr, retrieved June 28, 2015
  7. "General Permit Type—PAG-02", Pennsylvania Bulletin, March 22, 2014, retrieved June 28, 2015
  8. "Untitled", Times Leader, archived from the original on April 2, 2015, retrieved June 28, 2015
  9. "§ 93.9i. Drainage List I. Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania Susquehanna River", Pennsylvania Code, retrieved June 28, 2015
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