1-800-859-7902 The Legend of the Three Springs: A Rare Geographical Wonder Mapped by Professor Higbee
There is a spot in the wilds of Pennsylvania where raindrops falling mere inches apart are destined for journeys of thousands of miles, ultimately emptying into three different seas. This remarkable location, a triple continental divide, can be pinpointed with precision on Professor Higbee’s Stream and Lake Map of Pennsylvania, a testament to the incredible detail and accuracy of these unique waterway maps.
On a remote farm in Potter County, Pennsylvania, lies the rare convergence of three major watershed boundaries. A watershed boundary, typically found along the crest of mountains and hills, is a critical geographical feature. It’s the dividing line that dictates whether water flows in one direction or another, forming vast watershed basins. On Professor Higbee’s maps, these boundaries are clearly marked as green lines, with thicker lines representing the major divides. The convergence of three such major boundaries on a single farm is an exceptionally rare hydrogeological event.
Larry Seaman and Karl Ings, the cartographers and publishers of Professor Higbee’s Stream & Lake Maps, were so intrigued by this unusual feature on their own map that they decided to explore it firsthand. “After driving in circles for at least an hour in a raging thunderstorm, we located the farm at the end of a gravel road on top of a mountain in northern Pennsylvania. Yes, even mapmakers get lost occasionally,” Ings recounted. As they crested the hill, the storm broke, and a double rainbow appeared. Seaman knew then: “This place is special.”
On this secluded farm, Seaman and Ings discovered three springs, all less than a thousand yards apart. Each spring gives birth to a small stream, the headwaters of a mighty river system. These small streams, meticulously charted on Professor Higbee’s maps, flow into larger creeks, then into major rivers, and finally into one of three different seas. The journey of each drop of water can be traced from its humble origin to its final destination in the ocean.
•The easternmost spring becomes Pine Creek, which drains into the Susquehanna River, emptying into the Chesapeake Bay and then the Atlantic Ocean.
•A short distance to the north, a second spring gives rise to the Genesee River, which flows north through New York State to Lake Ontario, and eventually into the St. Lawrence River before entering the North Atlantic Ocean.
•The third spring, a brief walk to the west, is the headwaters of the Allegheny River. This mighty river flows past Pittsburgh, joining the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River on its long journey to the Gulf of Mexico.
Walking between these springs, Seaman and Ings identified a high point in the pasture, a spot no larger than a square foot, where the three major watershed boundaries converge. Seaman mused, “If this spot were on a manicured golf green, a golf ball dropped right here would roll in the direction of one of the three springs.” Raindrops falling just inches apart on this exact spot are separated for a journey of thousands of miles to three different seas.
This extraordinary place was known to Native Americans long before modern cartography. The “Legend of the Three Springs,” as told in Henry Shoemaker’s 1914 book, “Black Forest Souvenirs,” speaks of a wise Seneca man named Nahimen, who, to save his three daughters from a dark fate, had them transformed into three pure, life-giving rivers. He was buried at the highest point between the three springs, forever listening to the streams his daughters had become.
Professor Higbee’s Stream & Lake Maps are more than just navigational tools; they are a gateway to understanding the intricate network of waterways that shape our landscape. For anglers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts, these maps provide an unparalleled level of detail, revealing not just the major rivers and lakes, but every tributary and stream. Understanding the watershed boundaries and the flow of water is invaluable for anyone looking to explore the outdoors, find new fishing spots, or simply appreciate the complex beauty of our natural world.
About Professor Higbee’s Stream & Lake Maps:
Professor Higbee’s Stream & Lake maps are currently available for 22 states. Each map includes four guidebooks. The maps are available in a laminated, write-on-wipe-off version with brass eyelets for hanging ($39.95) or as a folded paper map ($24.95). These highly detailed fishing and recreation maps are essential tools for any outdoor enthusiast.
