Susquehanna Valley

The Susquehanna Valley is a beautiful region of low-lying land that borders the Susquehanna River in the U.S. states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. This valley includes areas along the main branch of the river, which begins in Upstate New York and flows through Pennsylvania and Maryland before reaching the Chesapeake Bay. It also includes parts along the shorter West Branch in Pennsylvania.

Susquehanna River in Bradford County, Pennsylvania

This area is important because the river has shaped the land and the lives of people living there for many years. The valley is a place where nature and human activity come together, making it a special region in these three states.

History and architectural features

As of 2014, seventeen of the oldest covered bridges in the United States were found in the Susquehanna Valley. These special bridges add to the unique charm and history of the area.

Geography

The Susquehanna River is very important for the Chesapeake Bay. Some people call it the "lifeblood" of the bay because it helps keep the water healthy. The river is like a long arm reaching from upstate New York through Pennsylvania and Maryland and finally into the Chesapeake Bay.

In Pennsylvania, the Susquehanna Valley is closely connected to the area that drains into the Chesapeake Bay. This area includes many parts of the state, especially the counties along the Susquehanna River and its smaller rivers. About half of Pennsylvania's land sends its water into this important river system.

Communities in the valley

Main Branch

Cities

The Susquehanna Watershed incorporates all the valley sidewalls within the Susquehanna Valley, including large areas of the southern tier counties of lower New York state, the majority of central Pennsylvania's Susquehanna Gap above and past Lancaster and York County into upper Maryland, where it meets the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay above Aberdeen, Maryland.

Counties

West Branch

Counties constituting the Susquehanna Valley region of Pennsylvania. Counties in red are those in which the Susquehanna River and West Branch physically flow, while dark red counties are part of the watershed.

Main article: West Branch Susquehanna Valley

History and architectural features

Geography

Communities in the valley

Main Branch

Cities

Counties

West Branch

Cities

Counties

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