Watershed Profile: Swatara Creek near Annville, PA


Watershed Overview
The Swatara Creek Watershed covers parts of Berks, Schuylkill and Lebanon Counties. The creek generally flows northeast to southwest before it empties into the Susquehanna River near Middletown PA.
Drainage Characteristics
  • Drainage Area (square miles): 343.17
  • Total Stream Length (miles): 539.5
  • Average Annual Flow at Station (NHD) (cfs): 629.1
  • Population (2020): 48,208
  • Land Use
  • Description Percentage
    Water 0.53
    Developed Open Space 5.87
    Low Urban 3.49
    Medium Urban 1.34
    High Urban 0.73
    Barren 0.37
    Deciduous Forest 42.20
    Coniferous Forest 0.85
    Mixed Forest 6.06
    Shrub Scrub 1.19
    Grassland Herbaceous 1.02
    Pasture/Hay 13.35
    Cropland 22.19
    Wetlands 0.82
Underlying Geology
Rock Type Percentage
Limestone 1.52
Other 1.03
Quartzite 0.32
Sandstone 26.44
Shale 70.68
Map
Inactive Station
The station is active but not currently transmitting data. Please contact SRBC for more information.
Natural Gas
  • Natural Gas Pads 0
  • Natural Gas Water Withdrawals 0
Public Water Supply Withdrawals
  • Groundwater 208
  • Surface Water 4
NPDES Discharges
Description Count
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation 31
Mining/Quarry 11
Stormwater 75
Wastewater Treatment Plant/Sewage Treatment Plant 10
Other 36
Stream Impairments
Source Category Miles
Acid Mine Drainage Aquatic Life 56.30
Agriculture Aquatic Life 125.70
Crop Production Aquatic Life 15.20
Industrial Point Source Aquatic Life 0.90
Municipal Point Source Aquatic Life 0.90
On-Site Treatment Systems Aquatic Life 6.90
Source Unknown Aquatic Life 2.20
Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers Aquatic Life 13.70
Source Unknown Potable Water Supply 4.20
Source Unknown Recreational 130.10