There are 2 major ways a watershed can "start". Many creeks flowing into the main river can start as runoff of water from the surrounding land. Underground springs can also start a watershed. The water runs underground and rises above the surface of the ground. It then starts a journey which will eventually lead to a river. Many smaller streams are greatly affected by the climate. Seasonal changes may cause a stream to become intermittent. Extended drought will also often greatly affect the rate of flow in river and its tributaries.

The East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek is relatively small where it starts in Bedminster, PA.		As other small waterways such as Pleasant Spring Creek (that starts near Penn Central Middle School) join the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek the width of the waterway increases.
At Cathill Road in West Rockhill Township it is a relatively wide waterway. The width is also affected by the slope in a given area.		As the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek leaves our school district it increases in size. Downstream it will soon join the Perkiomen Creek in Montgomery County.

The Perkiomen watershed in our community starts in Bedminster, PA as the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek empties into the the Perkiomen Creek; it then empties into the Schuylkill River as the water moves toward Philadelphia, PA.