Watershed Profile: Chiques Creek near Route 283


Watershed Overview
The headwaters of Chiques Creek are located in Lebanon County, PA, but the majority of the watershed lies within Lancaster County, PA. The stream flows south through the western half of the county until its confluence with the Susquehanna River. The monitoring station is located in the middle of the watershed near Route 283.
Drainage Characteristics
  • Drainage Area (square miles): 49.28
  • Total Stream Length (miles): 76.6
  • Average Annual Flow at Station (NHD) (cfs): 70.5
  • Population (2020): 20,000
Stream Classifications (Pennsylvania)
Designation Miles
High-Quality Cold Water Fisheries 10.20
Warm Water Fisheries 66.44
Total 76.64
  • Land Use
  • Description Percentage
    Water 0.08
    Developed Open Space 8.02
    Low Urban 6.89
    Medium Urban 3.46
    High Urban 2.09
    Barren 0.04
    Deciduous Forest 19.99
    Coniferous Forest 0.04
    Mixed Forest 3.20
    Shrub Scrub 0.84
    Grassland Herbaceous 0.18
    Pasture/Hay 10.34
    Cropland 43.66
    Wetlands 1.18
Underlying Geology
Rock Type Percentage
Conglomerate 6.49
Dolomite 2.65
Limestone 24.67
Other 4.88
Sandstone 21.38
Shale 39.92
Map
Recent Results
Sample Time 10/7/2024 4:00:00 PM
Temperature  (C) 16.99
Specific Conductivity  (mS/cm) 0.594
PH 7.78
Turbidity  (NTU+) 6.28
Dissolved Oxygen  (mg/L) 9.16
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 60
  • Surface Water 0
NPDES Discharges
Description Count
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation 10
Mining/Quarry 0
Stormwater 24
Wastewater Treatment Plant/Sewage Treatment Plant 5
Other 13
Stream Impairments
Source Category Miles
Agriculture Aquatic Life 69.30
Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers Aquatic Life 31.00
Source Unknown Recreational 52.00