Buck Run (West Branch Brandywine Creek tributary)

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Buck Run is a 17.2-mile-long stream in Chester County, Pennsylvania, that flows into West Branch Brandywine Creek. It rises south of State Hill in West Sadsbury Township at about 680–700 feet above sea level and travels southeast before joining Brandywine Creek in Newlin Township at about 226 feet elevation, roughly 10.5 miles upstream of Brandywine’s mouth.

The stream drains a watershed of about 48.6 square miles, crossing through 11 municipalities. Its two named tributaries are Birch Run (drainage area about 5.3 square miles) and Doe Run (about 21.7 square miles). Buck Run has an average discharge of around 20.3 cubic feet per second, with readings that can range from roughly 3.9 to 44 cfs. The water is generally slightly alkaline, with a pH around 7.0 to 7.8, and carries various minerals as it moves through a landscape made up of shale, sandstone, and some limestone.

Geographically, Buck Run runs through a broken, hilly country with some narrow valleys. It mostly flows southeast, following a sinuous channel. The watershed sees about 40–50 inches of rain per year. The stream is a wildlife corridor, even crossing U.S. Route 30, and supports aquatic life such as mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and trout.

Historically, Buck Run hosted several mills and numerous bridges. In the past, papermills and rolling mills operated along the stream, including the Rokeby papermill and Rokeby and Laurel rolling mills. Several covered bridges also span Buck Run, with a number located on private property. Buck Run is designated as approved trout waters, but it is not classified as High-Quality Coldwater Fishery or Exceptional Value.