Indian Creek flows approximately 28 miles through the southwestern Appalachians of Pennsylvania, originating in Forbes State Forest in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, just south of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and flowing southwesterly through both Westmoreland and Fayette Counties to its confluence with the Youghiogheny River between Ohiopyle and Connellsville. This fourth-order tributary drains approximately 125 square miles between the eastern slope of Chestnut Ridge and the western slope of Laurel Hill, passing through historic lumber and coal mining communities including Kreger, Jones Mills, Champion, Melcroft, Indian Head, and Normalville while paralleling Routes 381 and 711. The upper watershed carries designations of High Quality Cold Water Fishery from the headwaters to Melcroft, transitioning to Cold Water Fishery designation downstream. The stream has been significantly impacted by abandoned mine drainage for decades, though extensive treatment systems built by the Mountain Watershed Association have continually improved water quality in the lower reaches, creating a fishery that now supports both coldwater and warmwater species.