AREA HISTORY:  The Gut, Manchester Township, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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THE GUT – Page 614

The Gut, is a singular freak of nature.  Some time, not long before the 
settlement of York County by the whites, the Big Conewago Creek, on account of 
high water, overflowed its banks, and cut a deep channel two miles in length, 
causing this, the southern branch, to flow into the Susquehanna at New Holland, 
while the main branch of the creek flows into the river, three miles farther up 
the stream at York Haven.  During times of high water the Gut is a rapid stream, 
but in dry seasons it is sluggish and sometimes altogether dry.  Within this 
irregularly shaped delta, is contained about five square miles of excellent 
alluvial soil.  “The River Gut” is a branch of half a mile in length, passing 
from the Gut to the Susquehanna.  A singular phenomenon is illustrated:  When 
the river is high it flows toward the creek, when the creek is high it flows 
toward the river.  It is true bifurcation.