SearchResearch (1/7/26): Where / why / what is causing point source pollution of the Susquehanna?
Dan Russell
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
SearchResearch (1/7/26): Where / why / what is causing point source pollution of the Susquehanna?
Even though it's beautiful...
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| Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania (P/C Wikimedia) |
... troubles lie beneath the surface.
The mighty Susquehanna River begins near Cooperstown, NY from the confluence of two main branches: the North Branch, and the West Branch, which join in central Pennsylvania. Between the source and the river's destination in Chesapeake Bay, hundreds of tributaries join with the main river.
The river drainage is around 27,500 square miles (71,000 km2), which is nearly half of the land area of Pennsylvania, and is the single largest inflow into the Chesapeake Bay.
As you can imagine, the Susquehanna River is fairly heavily polluted with agricultural runoff and sewage picked up during its long run to the sea. But there’s one truly dramatic point-source of pollution that changes the color of an important tributary from clear to… what?
That’s today’s Challenge.
1. Can you find this truly amazing point-source of pollution in a tributary of the Susquehanna River? Where is it? What’s the point source called and what tributary does it flow into? Why is it even there?
2. What color is the water just downstream from this point source?
The backstory is fascinating. Can you figure it out?
Be sure to let us know HOW you found it out. What steps did you follow? Did you just use an AI? How well did that work for you?
Keep searching.
