qualities, including streambank stability and the quality of the riparian buffer. The creek was rated as 7.1 out of 10, indicating "fair" water quality. Geology and geography Most of the southern part of the watershed of West Branch Briar Creek lies over either shale or calcareous shale. However, there is a small area of limestone as well. Most of the northern part of the watershed lies over siltstone and mudstone. The northernmost part of the watershed is on sandstone. The creek is not a limestone stream, however. There are a number of soil series in the watershed of West Branch Briar Creek. The Holly Series, a silt loam, is found along the creek. The Zipp Series, which is also a silt loam, is also found in parts of the watershed, including the headwaters. The Alvira series is found at the creek's headwaters. The Alvira soils in this location have fewer large fragments and are less eroded than typical Alvira soils. West Branch Briar Creek is approximately wide. There are plains at the headwaters of West Branch Briar Creek. These are either flat or have a slight slope. Watershed The watershed of West Branch Briar Creek has an area of 12.06 square miles. The sub-watershed of Fester Hollow has an area of 4.54 square miles and the sub-watershed of Cabin Run has an area of 0.73 square miles. The watershed of the main stem of West Branch Briar Creek has an area of 6.79 square miles. History In the 1700s, the Van Campen, Aikman, and Salmon families lived on West Branch Briar Creek. The first mill in Briar Creek Township was built at the confluence of the creek with Briar Creek by William Rittenhouse in 1800. Historically, the valley that West Branch Briar Creek flows through was one of the most fertile valleys in Columbia County. The Fowlersville Covered Bridge, which was built in 1886, was one of the last covered bridges to be built in Columbia County. It spanned West Branch Briar Creek until it was moved to Briar Creek. Biology West Branch Fishing Creek is stocked with fish. The creek is inhabited by minnows and may be inhabited by trout. The waters of the creek are approved trout waters. See also East Branch Briar Creek List of rivers of Pennsylvania References Rivers of Columbia County, Pennsylvania Tributaries of the Susquehanna River Rivers of Pennsylvania