The creek exits the reservoir on its eastern side and continues flowing north.

It then turns north and then northwest, passing between the communities of Cranberry and Hollars Hill.

It continues west for some distance before turning north and passing between two mountains, flowing parallel to Interstate 81.

[2] A total of 3 miles (4.8 km) of Cranberry Creek is considered to be impaired by acid mine drainage and flow alterations.

A 0.5 miles (0.80 km) is considered to be impaired by acid mine drainage, metals, and pH.

Cranberry Creek has a total maximum daily load for aluminum, iron, and acidity.

[3] The concentration of aluminum near the mouth of Cranberry Creek is 0.96 milligrams per liter and the daily load is 17.3 pounds (7.8 kg).

The iron concentration in the creek is 1.83 milligrams per liter and the load is 33.0 pounds (15.0 kg) per day.

The concentration of alkalinity in the creek is 1.34 milligrams per liter and the daily load if it is 24.1 pounds (10.9 kg).

The creek's channel is intact throughout most of the rest of its length, but nearly none of its water leaves the Hazleton Basin.

Cranberry Creek has been described by Bloomsburg University professor Duane Braun as having "sharp, multiple crest hydrography".

[3] Cranberry Creek is entirely in the United States Geological Survey quadrangles of Conyngham and Hazleton.

[10] Cranberry Creek was added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation has plans to restore the creek's flow along its entire length.

The Jeddo Highland Coal Company has an operation known as the Cranberry Colliery Bank in the vicinity of the creek.