A20NeshaminyCreek

Figure 2: Reduced size topographic map illustrating Wissahickon Creek headwaters relationship to the Neshaminy Creek headwaters. The West Branch Neshaminy Creek flows in a south-southeast and then northeast and east direction from the map northwest corner to Chalfont, near the map center, where it joins the North Branch to form Neshaminy Creek. The northernmost marked West Branch tributary flows in a southwest direction to join east oriented West Branch Neshaminy Creek, while the southern marked West Branch tributary flows in a northeast direction. The North Branch Neshaminy Creek and its tributary Pine Run both flow in southwest directions before turning to flow in a south direction to join east-oriented Neshaminy Creek (which east of figure 3 turns to flow in a south-southeast direction to join the Delaware River). The southwest oriented North Branch Neshaminy Creek, Pine Run, and West Branch Neshaminy Creek tributary all provide evidence that headward erosion of the Neshaminy Creek valley captured multiple southwest-oriented channels. The northeast oriented West Branch Neshaminy Creek tributary shown was created by a reversal of flow on the northeast end of a beheaded southwest oriented flow channel. The southwest oriented Wissahickon Creek headwaters are a relic of southwest oriented drainage routes that preceded the present day drainage system. United States Geological Survey map presented using National Geographic TOPO software.