Tributaries

Tinicum Creek

An Exceptional Value Waterway

Tinicum Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River, drains the townships of Nockamixon and Tinicum in Upper Bucks County , PA. With its two major branches, Rapp and Beaver Run Creeks (also rated EV by the PADEP), the Tinicum is a named tributary included in the designation of the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River . Descending nearly 500 feet from the headwaters of its two branches, the stream enters the Delaware south of Erwinna and north of Point Pleasant , flowing under State Route 32 and the Delaware Canal . The thirty-six square mile watershed is laced with nearly 40 miles of named and unnamed streams.

Prior to European settlement the watershed was inhabited by the Algonquin speaking Lenape tribe, many of whom later intermarried with German and Irish settlers and whose families remain in area today. Lenape stoneworks and artifacts are prevalent. Numerous place names in the watershed are Lenape in origin, including “ Tinicum ” , which means “ along the edge of the island ” .

The entire Tinicum Creek watershed is ranked as first priority to protect in a countywide study (Rhoads and Block, Natural Areas Inventory of Bucks County, PA, 1999) based on its variety of uncommon plant communities, large numbers of rare plant and animal species, and the exceptional quality of the water. Four hundred plant species and over 100 nesting bird species inhabit the watershed.

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Ridge Valley Rural Historic District

This district encompasses 515 acres beginning above the confluence of the Rapp and Beaver Run Creeks and continuing for two miles. It was first settled in the late 18 th century. Several 19th century three bay farmhouses of indigenous red shale with their bank barns contribute to the district, as well as early examples of iron and stone bridges. A restored butcher and blacksmith shop from the late 1800 ' s sits on the eastern bank.

The Tinicum winds through the district with high cliffs on either side. All of the land in the district is in private ownership; some is conserved by private conservation easements.

 

 

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Frankenfield Covered Bridge ( Bucks County Bridge # 51)  

Frankenfield Bridge , longest in Bucks County at 130 feet, crosses Tinicum Creek on Cafferty Road . Built in 1872 by Town Truss Designs, it is two miles upstream from the mouth of the Tinicum, and was built to assure horses and wagons a dry crossing on a busy route. Repairs were made in 1918 with solid oak timbers from Plumstead Township .

The original bridge had one single span; today, a concrete pillar in the center allows it to support a 20 ton weight. The land surrounding the bridge was originally settled by the indigenous Lenape people. Today 65 acres is under conservation easement, assuring protection of the area ' s natural and historic resources for the future.

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Beaver Run Creek  

The more easterly of Tinicum Creeks major tributaries, Beaver Run begins in flat forested wetlands, then drops 180 feet in the course of a 1.5 mile run through diabase boulders under a canopy of hardwoods. The water quality and macroinvertebrate population have allowed the stream to be rated Exceptional Value by the DEP, the highest ranking the state awards. It joins the Tinicum mainstem in the Ridge Valley District.

Recreation  

With the exception of one undeveloped county-owned parcel near Frankenfield Bridge , all of the property in the Tinicum watershed is privately owned, and there is no public access to the stream. However, the covered bridge is on a self – guided county tour map, and the creek is visible from several scenic roads. Parking is available near the canal towpath in Tinicum Park on River Road for those who enjoy the challenge of cycling the hills and rural roads of Upper Bucks.