Mill Creek

Mill Creek rises along the Blue Mountain in Upper Bern Township , Berks County , and flows approximately 8 miles east and south to its confluence with the Schuylkill River Creek below Hamburg . The creek’s drainage area covers over 17 square miles. Mill Creek tributaries include Hassler Run, which has a drainage area of over 3 square miles, and several unnamed streams. The entire Mill Creek basin is designated Trout Stocking Fishery (TSF). However, the headwaters streams that feed Mill Creek originate along the Blue Mountain, and are characterized by the same soils, topography and underlying geology as the adjacent Northkill Creek watershed, the headwaters of which are designated Exceptional Value. Anecdotal information about the Mill Creek’s headwaters suggests the watershed may deserve greater protection than that afforded by the TSF designation.

DRN staff will first gather and review existing Mill Creek watershed data, including chemical data and habitat assessment work done by the Berks County Conservancy during its Upper Schuylkill River study. Macroinvertebrate sampling will be undertaken using methodologies modified from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (U.S.EPA, 1989), and the Volunteer Stream Monitoring Methods Manual (U.S. EPA, 1997). The data will be analyzed to determine suitability for pursuing a stream upgrade.

DRN then proposes conducting general geomorphic characterization of the Mill Creek watershed using maps and aerial photos to determine channel patterns, slopes, valley conditions and other characteristics. The proposed assessment activities will be augmented with an integrated assessment protocol developed by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network during a watershed assessment study of the Little Neshaminy Watershed in Bucks and Montgomery Counties . This assessment protocol, which combines and enhances various protocols from several well-known assessment methods, scores 15 stream characteristics grouped as follows:

• Human Impacts: Riparian Width; Fish Barriers; and Channel Alterations;
• Habitat: Habitat Cover; Velocity/Depth Variability; Pool Variability; and Pool/Rifle Frequency;
• Streambank: Bank Erosion; Bank Vegetation; Bank Material Protection; and Leaning Trees; and
• Stream Bottom: Embeddedness; Rock Angularity; Brightness; and Percent Stable Bottom.

The Delaware Riverkeeper Network (DRN)  is dedicated to protecting and restoring the Delaware River , its tributaries and habitats. Since 1988, DRN, a nonprofit membership organization and affiliate of the American Littoral Society, has worked throughout the 13,539 square mile of the Delaware River Watershed empowering citizens to take more active roles in protecting the streams and creeks that flow through their neighborhoods. Activities include taking stances on regional and local issues that threaten aquatic ecosystems, organizing and supporting communities working to protect local streams, stream restoration projects, volunteer monitoring, pollution hotlines, an enforcement program, and student intern opportunities.

Contact Info: 

Chari Towne  

610-469-6005 

Schuylkill Programs
Delaware Riverkeeper Network
1298 General Washington Memorial Boulevard
P.O. Box 326
Washington Crossing, PA 18977-0326
www.delawareriverkeeper.org