| Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek | |
| Source1 Location: | valley in Madison Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania |
| Mouth Location: | Chillisquaque Creek in Derry Township, Montour County, Pennsylvania |
| Name Etymology: | Native American word for either a "place frequented by snowbirds" or "frozen duck" |
| Length: | 5.2miles |
| Source1 Elevation: | 660feetto680feetft (toft) |
| Mouth Elevation: | 522feet |
| Basin Size: | 9.64sqmi |
Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek is a tributary of Chillisquaque Creek in Columbia County and Montour County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 5.2miles long and flows through Madison Township in Columbia County and Anthony and Derry Townships in Montour County. The creek's watershed has an area of 9.64sqmi. There are 14.35miles of streams in the watershed. Lake Chillisquaque is also in the creek. There are 122 features classified as "disturbances" on Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek. Two bridges more than 20feet long cross the creek.
Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek begins in a valley in western Madison Township, Columbia County. It flows southwest through the valley into Anthony Township, Montour County, where it flows southwest for a few miles before leaving the valley and crossing Pennsylvania Route 44. The creek then turns south and flows through Lake Chillisquaque. South of the lake, the creek flows through a flat area for some distance. It then exits Anthony Township and enters Derry Township, Montour County. In Derry Township, the creek almost immediately meets East Branch Chillisquaque Creek to form Chillisquaque Creek.
Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek joins Chillisquaque Creek 19.96miles upstream of its mouth.
Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek is ranked 6th in priority on the 305B Stream Listings in the watershed of Chillisquaque Creek. It experiences siltation and has been subjected to hydromodifcation and flow alterations.
The water temperature of Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek ranges from approximately 0C22C.
The concentration of alkalinity in Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek ranges from under 10 to over 70 milligrams per liter. The concentrations of nitrates and phosphates are both high.
The depth of Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek near Pennsylvania Route 44 typically ranges between a few inches and a foot (30 centimeters), but is occasionally over 20inches.
There are 122 features classified as "disturbances" on Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek. 96 of these (78.7 percent) are erosion sites, 45 of which are on the creek's right bank and 51 of which are on the creek's left bank. 14 of the "disturbances" are gravel bars, 7 are bridges, 3 are riprap, and 2 are pipes.
There are nearly 30 stream banks on East Branch Chillisquaque Creek that area between 0feet and 50feet long. Slightly more than 20 are less than 6feet high, 5 are 6feetto9feetft (toft) high, and approximately two are over 9feet high. There are slightly over 30 banks on the creek that are 51feetto100feetft (toft) long. Between 15 and 20 are under 6feet high, slightly more than 10 are 6feetto9feetft (toft) high, and approximately three are over 9feet high. The creek has 25 banks that are 101feetto250feetft (toft) long. Of these, there are approximately equal numbers of banks less than 6feet high and 6feetto9feetft (toft) high and none higher than 9feet.
There are several stream banks on East Branch Chillisquaque Creek that are between 251feet and 500feet. Five are less than 6feet high and two are over 6feet hingh. The creek also has several banks over 500feet long, all of which are less than 6feet high.
The streambed of Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek is publicly owned. The elevation of the creek near its mouth is 522feet above sea level. Near its source, the creek's elevation is between 860feet and 880feet.
The watershed of Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek has an area of 6.94sqmi. There are 14.35miles of streams in the watershed of Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek. 12.86miles, or 89.6 percent, are classified as "not attaining".
Lake Chillisquaque is a reservoir located on Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek and is the largest lake in Montour County. It has an area of 165 acres. The lake is dammed by an earth-fill dam that is 2000feet long and 54feet high.
Middle Branch Chillisqauque Creek is the most significant tributary of Lake Chillisqauque.
Lake Chillisquaque was created on Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek in 1972. Its original purpose was as a supply of cooling water for a nearby power plant. Two bridges more than 20feet long cross the creek. One was built in 1923 and is 43feet long and the other was built in 1932 and is 28.9feet long. Both bridges are made of concrete.
The Chillisquagi Trail in the Montour Preserve crosses Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek.
The word chillisquaque in Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek's name comes from either the Native American word chilisuagi, which refers to a place commonly visited by snowbirds (specifically, a "place frequented by snowbirds") or the Native American word for "frozen duck".
Lake Chillisquaque is stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Middle Branch Chillisquaque Creek is designated as a warmwater fishery.