Major Watersheds

A watershed, also called a drainage basin, is an area of land that drains into a river or stream. The Susquehanna River watershed is known as the Susquehanna River Basin. The Basin is further divided into six subbasins, following the mainstem and three of its major tributaries, the West Branch Susquehanna, Juniata, and Chemung Rivers. Each stream in the Basin also has its own watershed. There are 88 major watersheds in the Basin that encompass the largest rivers draining directly into the Susquehanna River or its three main tributaries, with some exceptions in the Chenango and Tioga Rivers and Bald Eagle Creek Watersheds.

Largest Non-Mainstem Watersheds (sq. mi.)

1. Chenango River - 1,609
2. Tioga River - 1,384
3. Sinnemahoning Creek - 1,034
4. Pine Creek - 981
5. Raystown Branch Juniata River - 962
6. Bald Eagle Creek - 773
7. Tioughnioga River - 764
8. Cohocton River - 605
9. Swatara Creek - 571
10. Unadilla River - 562