Watershed Profile: South Branch Codorus Creek near Leader Heights, PA


Watershed Overview
South Branch Codorus Creek Watershed is located completely in York County, PA. The creek generally flows south to north before it enters Codorus Creek near Leader Heights, PA.
Drainage Characteristics
  • Drainage Area (square miles): 112.84
  • Total Stream Length (miles): 182.2
  • Average Annual Flow at Station (NHD) (cfs): 140.7
  • Population (2020): 40,697
Stream Classifications (Pennsylvania)
Designation Miles
Cold Water Fisheries 39.98
High-Quality Cold Water Fisheries 38.18
Warm Water Fisheries 104.02
Total 182.18
  • Land Use
  • Description Percentage
    Water 0.42
    Developed Open Space 11.22
    Low Urban 4.49
    Medium Urban 1.52
    High Urban 0.36
    Barren 0.02
    Deciduous Forest 22.51
    Coniferous Forest 0.22
    Mixed Forest 6.54
    Shrub Scrub 1.04
    Grassland Herbaceous 0.24
    Pasture/Hay 11.94
    Cropland 39.01
    Wetlands 0.48
Underlying Geology
Rock Type Percentage
Limestone 1.64
Other 85.55
Quartzite 12.81
Map
Recent Results
Sample Time 3/29/2024 3:45:00 AM
Temperature  (C) 8.2
Specific Conductivity  (mS/cm) 0.234
PH 7.44
Turbidity  (NTU+) 4.72
Dissolved Oxygen  (mg/L) 11.17
Dissolved Oxygen (last month of readings)
pH (last month of readings)
Specific Conductivity (last month of readings)
Temperature (last month of readings)
Turbidity (last month of readings)
Natural Gas
  • Natural Gas Pads 0
  • Natural Gas Water Withdrawals 0
Public Water Supply Withdrawals
  • Groundwater 33
  • Surface Water 1
NPDES Discharges
Description Count
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation 1
Mining/Quarry 1
Stormwater 30
Wastewater Treatment Plant/Sewage Treatment Plant 4
Other 7
Stream Impairments
Source Category Miles
Agriculture Aquatic Life 42.40
Habitat Modification Aquatic Life 2.30
Municipal Point Source Aquatic Life 1.60
Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers Aquatic Life 2.80
Source Unknown Recreational 160.20