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THE GREAT SWAMP
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The settlement at the "Great Swamp", as it was originally known by members of the Society of Friends, began in the early years of the eighteenth century. Early Quakertown was in the center of Richland Township at the juncture of roads leading from Philadelphia to the Lehigh Valley, to Durham, Pottstown and to Newtown. Originally known as Richland, it was later called Quakertown and the first post office bearing its name was established in 1803.
Quakertown Historical Society
The swamp is a 400-acre wetland formed by water perched near the soil surface. The diverse habitat includes open water, shrub wetland, cattail marsh, wet meadow and forested swamp. The entire swamp is underlain by diabase, or trap-rock, an igneous intrusion that forms the boulder-strewn landscape in this part of the county.
The swamp is located 2 miles southeast of Quakertown along Bog Run, a tributary to Tohickon Creek. The swamp spans the upper Bucks County townships of West Rockhill, East Rockhill and Richland. it includes wetlands all along Bog Run from just west of Rt. 309 to its confluence with the Tohickon Creek north of Rt. 313.
Quakertown Swamp is the largest inland wetland in Bucks County and is designated by the Audubon society as an Important Bird Area. It is home to the largest great blue heron rookery in eastern Pennsylvania, and provides habitat for 91 bird species. Virginia rail and marsh wren, both rare in Pennsylvania, have been seen recently in the swamp.
Heritage Conservancy
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QUAKERTOWN SWAMP
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 | 518 acre wetland recognized as significant by the Pennsylvania
natural Diversity inventory as a haven for a variety of wildlife
species, including beaver and waterfowl. |
| More than 74 bird species nest in the swamp |
| Listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an "all important
wetland area". |
| Spanning the three Upper Bucks County townships of West Rockhill,
east Rockhill and Richland |
| Geologically, Quakertown Swamp is located on an ancient formation
created by impermeable igneous intrusions into older sedimentary
sandstone, forming a surface water table. |
| Quakertown Swamp is one of the largest intact, inland wetlands in
southeastern Pennsylvania |
| Quakertown Swamp is home to the largest Great Blue heron rookery in
eastern Pennsylvania. |
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