Everything about Schuylkill River totally explained
The
Schuylkill River, most often ("SKOO-kull"), is a river in the
U.S. state of
Pennsylvania. It is a designated
Pennsylvania Scenic River.
The
river is about 130
miles (209 km) long. Its
watershed of about 2000 square miles (5,000 km²) lies entirely within the
state of
Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the
Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora
Springs, near
Tamaqua in
Schuylkill County. The west branch starts near
Minersville and joins the eastern branch at the town of
Schuylkill Haven. The
Tulpehocken Creek joins it at the western edge of
Reading.
Wissahickon Creek joins it in northwest
Philadelphia. Other major tributaries include the
Little Schuylkill River,
Maiden Creek,
Manatawny Creek,
French Creek, and
Perkiomen Creek. The Schuylkill joins the
Delaware River, of which it's the largest
tributary, at the site of the former
Philadelphia Navy Yard, now the Philadelphia Naval Business Center, just northeast of
Philadelphia International Airport.
Major towns and cities on the banks of the river
The river's history and the etymology of its names
The
Delaware Indians were the original settlers of the area around this river, which they called
Ganshohawanee, meaning "rushing and roaring waters." The river was later named
Schuylkill by its European discoverer,
Arendt Corssen of the
Dutch West India Company. One explanation given for this name is that it translates to "hidden river" and refers to the river's confluence with the Delaware River at
League Island, which was nearly hidden by dense
vegetation. Another explanation is that the name properly translates to "hideout creek".
Thomas Paine tried in vain to interest the citizens in funding an iron bridge over this river, before abandoning "pontifical works" on account of the
French revolution.
The restoration of the river was funded by money left for that purpose in Benjamin Franklin's will.
http://fi.edu/franklin/family/lastwill.html
Points of interest along the river
The Limerick nuclear power plant facility in Limerick
Valley Forge National Historical Park, site of the winter encampment of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War at the mouth of Valley Creek
Boathouse Row, a landmark set of boathouse facilities on Kelly Drive in Fairmount Park which houses several local college-affiliated or independent crew teams
Lemon Hill, a recently restored historic mansion overlooking Boathouse Row
Fairmount Water Works, a national historic landmark in Fairmount Park
Bartram's Garden
The former Philadelphia Naval Yard, located near the Schuylkill's confluence with the Delaware River.
Transportation and recreation in the Schuylkill valley
Transportation
The Schuylkill river valley was an important thoroughfare in the eras of canals and railroads. The river itself, the Schuylkill Canal, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad (later the Reading Railroad), and the Pennsylvania Railroad were vital shipping conduits from the mid-19th century through the mid-20th century.
Rail freight still uses many of the same valley rights-of-way that the 19th-century railroads used. Passenger and commuter rail service is more limited. Today, the old railbed rights-of-way along the river between Philadelphia and Norristown contain SEPTA's R6 Norristown Regional Rail line (former Reading Railroad right-of-way) and the Schuylkill River Trail (former Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way).
There are efforts to extend both rail and trail farther upriver than they currently reach. The Schuylkill River Trail continues upriver from Norristown to Valley Forge, and designers plan to extend it for scores of miles farther upriver. SEPTA Regional Rail service currently doesn't go farther upriver than Norristown. Visions of commuter rail service farther up the Schuylkill valley ("Schuylkill Valley Metro") have yet to become reality.
Roads associated with the river include the Schuylkill Expressway, the West Shore Bypass (on the west bank), the Kelly Drive (on the east bank, so also called the East River Drive), and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive (on the west bank, so also called the West River Drive).
Recreation
The Schuylkill River Trail, which generally follows the river bank, is a multi-use trail for walking, jogging, bicycling, rollerblading, and other outdoor activities. The trail presently runs from Philadelphia to the Perkiomen Creek, just beyond Valley Forge Park. There is also a section of trail starting at Pottstown and running upriver. Plans are underway to develop the trail between the existing sections.
The Schuylkill River is very popular with watersports enthusiasts. The Dad Vail Regatta, an annual crew competition, is held on the river near Boathouse Row, as is the annual Bayada Regatta, featuring disabled rowers from all over the continent.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Schuylkill River'.
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