Rapid Run (Buffalo Creek tributary)

Rapid Run
Rapids on Rapid Run
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	valley in Miles Township, Pennsylvania
• elevation	between 1,620 and 1,640 feet (490 and 500 m)
Mouth
• location	Buffalo Creek in Buffalo Township, Union County, Pennsylvania
• coordinates	40°57′27″N 77°00′41″W / 40.95747°N 77.01151°W / 40.95747; -77.01151
• elevation	512 ft (156 m)
Length	14.4 mi (23.2 km)
Basin size	18.7 sq mi (48 km2)
Basin features
Progression	Buffalo Creek → West Branch Susquehanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay
Tributaries
• left	Yankee Run, Halfway Run

Rapid Run is a tributary of Buffalo Creek in Centre County and Union County in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 14.4 miles (23.2 km) long and flows through Miles Township in Centre County and Hartley Township, Lewis Township, West Buffalo Township, and Buffalo Township in Union County.^[1] The watershed of the stream has an area of 18.7 square miles (48 km²). Some streams in the watershed are impacted by nutrients, sediment, E. coli, and thermal radiation and one unnamed tributary is designated as an impaired waterbody. Rapid Run is a freestone mountain stream in the ridge and valley physiographic province. It flows through a lake known as Halfway Lake and also passes through the Rapid Run Gap.

Rapid Run is one of the major tributaries of Buffalo Creek. Its watershed is mostly forested, but there is some agricultural land and impervious surfaces as well. Pennsylvania Route 192 runs alongside the stream for much of its length. A number of bridges have been constructed across the stream. The drainage basin is designated as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. Additionally, a reach of Rapid Run is Class A Wild Trout Waters. Various eels and freshwater sponges have also been observed in the stream. Rapid Run flows through Bald Eagle State Forest, R.B. Winter State Park, and Sand Bridge State Park.