Watershed Profile: West Branch Octoraro Creek Near White Rock, PA
Watershed Overview
West Branch Octoraro Creek drains portions of southern Lancaster County before joining the East Branch Octoraro Creek in the Octoraro Lake. The monitoring station is location upstream of the lake near the town of White Rock, PA.
Drainage Characteristics
- Drainage Area (square miles): 39.53
- Total Stream Length (miles): 62.8
- Average Annual Flow at Station (NHD) (cfs): 60.5
- Population (2020): 6,515
Stream Classifications (Pennsylvania)
Designation | Miles |
---|---|
High-Quality Cold Water Fisheries | 62.81 |
Total | 62.81 |
- Land Use
-
Description Percentage Water 0.03 Developed Open Space 6.24 Low Urban 2.32 Medium Urban 0.98 High Urban 0.16 Barren 0.03 Deciduous Forest 14.13 Coniferous Forest 0.12 Mixed Forest 2.79 Shrub Scrub 0.55 Grassland Herbaceous 0.12 Pasture/Hay 20.29 Cropland 51.24 Wetlands 1.01
Underlying Geology
Rock Type | Percentage |
---|---|
Limestone | 6.33 |
Other | 86.43 |
Quartzite | 7.24 |
Map
Recent Results
Sample Time | 11/21/2024 9:00:00 AM |
---|---|
Temperature (C) | 9.12 |
Specific Conductivity (mS/cm) | 0.303 |
PH | 7.52 |
Turbidity (NTU+) | 3.95 |
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) | 10.7 |
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 20
- Surface Water 1
NPDES Discharges
Description | Count |
---|---|
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation | 5 |
Mining/Quarry | 0 |
Stormwater | 3 |
Wastewater Treatment Plant/Sewage Treatment Plant | 1 |
Other | 1 |
Stream Impairments
Source | Category | Miles |
---|---|---|
Agriculture | Aquatic Life | 59.80 |
Agriculture | Potable Water Supply | 11.40 |