Champlin Creek is a relatively clean, cold, free-flowing, freshwater stream, generally less than 6 feet (1.8 m) wide, partially vegetated sandy substrate.
The creek is bordered by limited areas of wet forest land and suburban residential development.
Champlin Creek is one of only a few free-flowing, spring-fed streams on Long Island that have remained in a relatively natural state.
This creek provides habitat conditions suitable for natural reproduction by brook trout, and supports one of approximately 6 known wild populations of this species on Long Island.
[1] Public access for fishing the area is available along the east side of Knapps Lake and at road crossings.