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Spring Brook (Lackawanna River tributary)

January 01, 1970

Spring Brook (also known as Spring Brook Creek[1]) is a tributary of the Lackawanna River in Lackawanna County and Luzerne County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 17 miles (27 km) long and flows through Covington Township, Spring Brook Township, and Moosic in Lackawanna County and Pittston Township in Luzerne County.[2] The watershed of the stream has an area of 57.2 square miles (148 km2). It is designated as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery above Interstate 476 and as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery below it. A section is also designated as Class A Wild Trout Waters. The stream's tributaries include Panther Creek, Plank Bridge Creek, Rattlesnake Creek, Green Run, Monument Creek, and Covey Swamp Creek. It has a relatively high level of water quality and is very slightly acidic, with a pH of 6.4 to 6.9.

Spring Brook
Spring Brook Creek
Falls at the Nesbitt Reservoir on Spring Brook
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationNear Interstate 380 in Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
 • elevation1,860 ft (570 m)
Mouth 
 • location
Lackawanna River in Moosic, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
 • coordinates
41°21′26″N 75°44′14″W / 41.35715°N 75.73721°W / 41.35715; -75.73721
 • elevation
617 ft (188 m)
Length17 mi (27 km)
Basin size57.2 sq mi (148 km2)
Basin features
ProgressionLackawanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay
Tributaries 
 • leftPanther Creek, Plank Bridge Creek, Monument Creek
 • rightRattlesnake Creek, Green Run, Covey Swamp Creek

The upper reaches of the watershed of Spring Brook are mountainous and swampy. Further downstream, the stream flows through a water gap in the Moosic Mountains. Sandstone, shale, and some coal are present in the vicinity of the stream. It has been channelized in a concrete channel for part of its length and is the main source of flooding in Spring Brook Township, Lackawanna County. The stream is the second-largest tributary of the Lackawanna River. Reservoirs on Spring Brook include the Spring Brook Intake, the Nesbitt Reservoir, the Watres Reservoir. There are three dams on the stream. The watershed is mainly forested, with only a small amount of urban land.

In the past, industries in the watershed of Spring Brook included timbering, coal mining, and agriculture. Two railroads also passed through the watershed in the early 1900s, at least one of which was established by the 1880s. The stream's watershed has served as a water supply since at least the early 1900s and still serves as a water supply for the Lackawanna Valley. Several bridges have also been constructed across the stream in the 20th century. The stream has been part of several studies since 1970. Part of its length is navigable by kayaking, paddling, and rafting.

Course edit

Spring Brook begins near Interstate 380 in Covington Township, Lackawanna County. It flows south for a short distance before meandering west for a few miles, crossing Interstate 380 and entering Spring Brook Township. The stream then turns south for several tenths of a mile before turning northwest for several tenths of a mile. It turns southwest before turning north-northwest and flowing around The Hogback. On the northern side of that hill, the stream turns south and then northwest, entering the Watres Reservoir. The stream exits the reservoir on its western side and flows northwest for a few miles, passing Pinnacle Hill and receiving the tributaries Panther Creek and Plank Bridge Creek from the left. It eventually bends east and enters the Nesbitt Reservoir after crossing Pennsylvania Route 502. Here, it receives the tributary Rattlesnake Creek from the right and flows between high hills. On the northern side of the reservoir, the stream flows north, receiving the tributary Green Run from the right before turning west-southwest. A few miles further downstream, it passes through the Spring Brook Intake before exiting Lackawanna County.[2]

Upon exiting Lackawanna County, Spring Brook enters Pittston Township, Luzerne County. It receives the tributary Monument Creek from the left and turns north-northwest for a few miles, flowing alongside Pennsylvania Route 502. On this stretch, it leaves behind the hills that it flows through, crosses Pennsylvania Route 502, and exits Luzerne County. Upon exiting Luzerne County, the stream enters Moosic, Lackawanna County and continues flowing north-northwest and receives the tributary Covey Swamp Creek from the right. The stream then turns west-southwest for a short distance before turning south and then west, crossing Interstate 81. It then turns northwest for a few tenths of a mile, crossing US Route 11 before reaching its confluence with the Lackawanna River.[2]

Spring Brook joins the Lackawanna River 3.62 miles (5.83 km) upriver of its mouth.[3]

Tributaries edit

Spring Brook has numerous named tributaries: Panther Creek, Plank Bridge Creek, Rattlesnake Creek, Green Run, Monument Creek, and Covey Swamp Creek.[2] Panther Creek joins Spring Brook 10.40 miles (16.74 km) upstream of its mouth. Its watershed has an area of 7.18 square miles (18.6 km2). Plank Bridge Creek joins Spring Brook 8.65 miles (13.92 km) upstream of its mouth. Its watershed has an area of 1.26 square miles (3.3 km2). Rattlesnake Creek joins Spring Brook 7.96 miles (12.81 km) upstream of its mouth. Its watershed has an area of 9.18 square miles (23.8 km2). Green Run reaches its confluence with Spring Brook 6.48 miles (10.43 km) upstream of its mouth. Its watershed has an area of 4.32 square miles (11.2 km2).[3] Spring Brook also has numerous unnamed tributaries.[4]

Hydrology edit

Spring Brook experiences noticeable flow loss.[4] As of 2009, it has high levels of sodium and alkalinity.[5] Pittson Township and the borough of Moosic have permits to discharge stormwater into it.[6] However, the water quality and habitat quality of the stream are relatively unimpacted.[7] The stream has relatively high water quality even where it flows through a concrete channel. In a study by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, it was found not to fail any water quality standards either during base flow or storm flow conditions.[8] However, a study from the previous year found concentrations of sodium and alkalinity exceeding the threshold for concern.[5] In the early 1900s, Spring Brook was a clear stream in its upper reaches. However, by the time it reached the property of the Du Pont Powder Company, it was affected by slush pumped into it by the Pennsylvania Coal Company.[9]

Between 1971 and 1990, the streamflow of Spring Brook ranged from 0.900 to 27.0 cubic feet per second.[10] The discharge ranged from 0.06 to 22 cubic feet per second in the 1970s.[11] The gage height of the stream in the 1970s ranged from 4.72 to 6.35 feet (1.44 to 1.94 m).[10] The peak annual discharge of the stream at its mouth has a 10 percent chance of reaching 5050 cubic feet per second. It has a 2 percent chance of reaching 10,900 cubic feet per second and a 1 percent chance of reaching 14,700 cubic feet per second. The peak annual discharge has a 0.2 percent chance of reaching 29,500 cubic feet per second.[12]

The concentration of dissolved oxygen in Spring Brook at the community of Spring Brook was measured to be 10.6 milligrams per liter in 1975. The concentration of hydrogen ions was measured to range from 0.00013 to 0.00040 milligrams per liter in the 1970s. The concentration of carbon dioxide ranged from 2.2 to 6.2 milligrams per liter and the bicarbonate concentration ranged from 9 to 12 milligrams per liter. The sulfate concentration in Spring Brook ranged from 12.0 to 19.0 milligrams per liter. The chloride concentration ranged between 3.7 and 8.0 milligrams per liter.[11]

The concentration of organic nitrogen in Spring Brook at the community of Spring Brook was measured to be 0.09 milligrams per liter in 1975. The concentration of ammonia in the form of nitrogen was measured to be 0.040 milligrams per liter. The concentration of nitrates in the form of nitrogen was 0.74 milligrams per liter and the concentration of nitrites in the form of nitrogen ranged from 0.045 to 0.29 milligrams per liter in 1971.[11]

The concentration of sodium and potassium (as Na) in Spring Brook ranged from 1.4 to 3.9 milligrams per liter. The concentration of magnesium ranged from 0.90 to 1.60 milligrams per liter and the calcium concentration ranged from 7.30 to 8.80 milligrams per liter. The concentration of recoverable iron in the stream was measured to be 60 micrograms per liter in 1975.[11]

The concentration of alkalinity in the waters of Spring Brook between the Watres Dam and the Nesbitt Reservoir is 11 milligrams per liter.[13] In the 1970s, the stream's pH ranged from 6.4 to 6.9. The total concentration of water hardness ranged from 23 to 28 milligrams per liter. The turbidity of the stream at the community of Spring Brook was one measured to be less than 5 Jackson Turbidity Units. The specific conductance of the stream ranged from 60 to 78 micro-siemens per centimeter at 25 °C (77 °F) during five measurements in the 1970s. The concentration of dissolved solids in the stream was measured to be 54 milligrams per liter in 1975.[11]

Geography, geology, and climate edit

The elevation near the mouth of Spring Brook is 617 feet (188 m) above sea level.[14] The elevation of the stream's source is approximately 1,860 feet (570 m) above sea level.[2] The gradient of the creek is 77.3 feet (23.6 m) per mile.[15]

The topography of the watershed of Spring Brook is mainly mountainous, with swampy land in its upper reaches.[15] Some bogs are also present in this area. Wetlands near the stream's headwaters include the Yostville marshes.[4] In the stream's middle and lower reaches, its valley is flanked by steep, high mountains. Its channel is sinuous and flows through rock formations consisting of sandstone and shale. There is also some coal in the lower reaches of the watershed. There are some culm dumps along the stream between Pennsylvania Route 502 and US Route 11.[15]

Spring Brook flows across the Pocono Plateau and passes through the Moosic Mountains via a water gap known as the Spring Brook Gap. Its mouth is in the Lackawanna Valley. In its lower reaches, the stream is channelized in a large open concrete channel.[4] A number of bank stabilization projects have been done on the stream from Belin Village downstream to its mouth.[7] Some land in the vicinity of the stream is designated as a 100 year floodplain.[1]

There are a number of dams on Spring Brook. One of these is the Spring Brook Intake Dam, which was determined in 1980 to be in good condition.[16] Another is the Nesbitt Dam and a third is the Watres Dam.[17][18]

Most of the Group A and Group B soils in Spring Brook Township, Lackawanna County are located along Spring Brook. These soils groups consist mainly of Pope soils.[1]

The average annual rate of precipitation in the watershed of Spring Brook is between 35 and 40 inches (89 and 102 cm).[15] The water temperature of the stream at the community of Spring Brook ranged from 8.0 to 15.5 °C (46.4 to 59.9 °F) in five measurements during the 1970s.[11]

Watershed edit

The watershed of Spring Brook has an area of 57.2 square miles (148 km2).[3] The watershed is in southern Lackawanna County and northeastern Luzerne County.[15] It is in the lower part of the Lackawanna River watershed, in its south-central and southwestern section.[4] The watershed is part of the North Pocono Watershed region of the Lackawanna River watershed.[7] The mouth of the stream is in the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Avoca. However, its source is in the quadrangle of Moscow.[14] The creek mainly flows in a northwesterly direction.[15]

Spring Brook is the second-largest tributary of the Lackawanna River, after Roaring Brook. It is a third-order stream.[4] A significant portion of the watershed is forested.[4][8] However, some residential areas, such as Yostville, Maple Lake, and Spring Brook Village are in the stream's vicinity.[4] The stream also flows through an urban area in Moosic. Its headwaters are near Yostville.[7] However, only a few square miles of the watershed is urban.[8] Approximately 60 percent of the stream's watershed is owned by the Theta Company as of 2006.[7]

Reservoirs and ponds in the watershed of Spring Brook include the Spring Brook Intake, the Nesbitt Reservoir, the Watres Reservoir, and Maple Lake.[4] The first three are used as drinking water reservoirs and the lakes also serve as flood protection.[4][12] The Pennsylvania American Water Company owns all four lakes and several hundred acres of the surrounding land.[7] There are flood levees at the mouth of the stream. There is some evidence of coal mining on a ridge overlooking the area in the stream's vicinity. However, residential encroachment on the stream's floodplain is a more significant environmental concern.[4]

Spring Brook is the main source of flooding in Spring Brook Township, Lackawanna County.[12]

History and industries edit

Spring Brook was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1188206.[14]

Spring Brook provided power for early lumbering in Spring Brook Township, Lackawanna County.[1] In the early 1900s, the main industries in the watershed of Spring Brook included coal mining and agriculture.[15] The Pennsylvania Coal Company historically had a washery that discharged into the stream. The Du Pont Powder Company also operated in the watershed at that time.[9] A railroad line along the stream was present by the 1880s.[19] The Wilkes-Barre and Eastern Railroad also crossed the stream's watershed and the Scranton and Spring Brook Railroad followed the stream between Rockdale and its mouth. During this time period, major communities in the watershed included Moosic, which had a population of 3964 at the time. The main stem and several tributaries were also historically used as a water supply by the Spring Brook Water Supply Company.[15] The stream is still used as an important water supply in the Lackawanna Valley, as of 2001.[4] Together with Roaring Brook and Stafford Meadow Brook, it serves as a water supply to a substantial part of the valley.[7] Some areas of the watershed have been subjected to extensive timbering programs as recently as 2001. The Nesbitt Water Filtration Plant is in the watershed, in Pittston Township, Luzerne County. It is owned by the Pennsylvania American Water Company.[4]

Spring Brook flooded during Hurricane Diane in 1955, reaching a discharge of 10,300 cubic feet per second (290 m3/s) near Moosic and destroying three homes and inundating the basements and first floors of many others.[12][20] The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection constructed a levee on the stream after this flooding event.[12] The stream also experienced bank failure during floods in October 1985 and January 1996. It also flooded homes and trailers in its vicinity.[4]

A two-span steel stringer/multi-beam or girder bridge carrying Main Street/State Route 3024 over Spring Brook was built in 1956. It is 111.9 feet (34.1 m) long and is situated in Moosic.[21] Another bridge of the same type was built over the stream in 1957. This bridge is 155.8 feet (47.5 m) long and is in Pittston Township. A two-span prestressed box beam or girders bridge was built over the stream in Moosic in 1958. It is 138.1 feet (42.1 m) long and carries Pennsylvania Route 502. Another bridge of the same type (but with only one span) was built in Moosic in 1959 and repaired in 1985. It carries US Route 11 and is 67.9 feet (20.7 m) long. In 1961, a two-span steel stringer/multi-beam or girder bridge was built over the stream in Moosic. It is 180.1 feet (54.9 m) long and carries Pennsylvania Route 502.[22] A prestressed box beam carrying Pennsylvania Route 502 over the stream was constructed in 1987. This bridge is in Pittston Township and has a length of 27.9 feet (8.5 m).[21]

Spring Brook has been studied several times. It was studied by the United States Geological Survey from 1971 to 1975, by Daniels (working for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission) in 1976, by Rider and Blacksmith (working for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) in 1985, by Copeland (working for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission) in 1992, by Moase (working for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission) in 1993, and Popp and McGurl in 2003.[7] The stream is on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Abandoned Mine Restoration's priority list for restoration.[4]

Biology edit

The drainage basin of Spring Brook is designated as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery from its headwaters downstream to the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 476). From that point downstream to its mouth, the drainage basin of the stream is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.[23] Wild trout naturally reproduce in Spring Brook from its headwaters downstream to its mouth.[24] A 2.4-mile (4-kilometer) section of the stream from the Watres Dam downstream to the Nesbitt Reservoir is considered by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to be Class A Wild Trout Waters for both brook trout and brown trout. The tributaries Green Run and Panther Creek are Class A Wild Trout Waters for brook trout and part of the tributary Rattlesnake Creek is Class A Wild Trout Waters for both brook trout and brown trout.[13]

Numerous macroinvertebrate species have been observed in Spring Brook. A total of 18 genera are from the orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera. A short distance upstream of the Watres Reservoir, the most common genera taxa were the family Chironomidae and the genera Drunella, Ephemerella, and Hydropsyche. Of a 200-individual sample, 34, 28, 25, and 20 individuals of each taxon have been observed, respectively. Slightly less common are the genera Epeorus, Hexatoma, Leuctra, and Lepidostoma. Of the 200-individual sample, 15, 13, 11, and 10 individuals of each taxon have been observed, respectively. Still less common are the genera Baetis, Paraleptophlebia, Acroneuria, Stenonema, Nigronia, Agapetus, DoIophilodes, and Optioservus. In the 200-individual sample, 8, 6, 5, 4, 4, 3, 2, and 2 individuals of each taxon have been observed, respectively. Only one individual each of the genera Isonychia, Amphinemura, Cheumatopsyche, Rhycophila, Neophylax, Psephenus, Boyeria, Tabanus, and Cambarus were observed.[7]

The wetlands at the headwaters of Spring Brook are home to boreal forest trees. These include black spruce, paper birch, and tamarack. Huckleberry, lady's slipper, leather leaf, mountain laurel, pitcher plant, and rhododendron plants inhabit bogs in the area.[4]

The modified Hilsenhoff Biotic Index value of Spring Brook a short distance upstream of the Watres Reservoir is 2.56. The modified EPT Index value at this location is 15. The taxa richness value is 26.[7]

Recreation edit

A trail known as the Spring Brook / Wilkes-Barre and Eastern Greenway was proposed in the Lackawanna River Watershed Conservation Plan in 2001. There are plans for trails on the flood levee at the stream's mouth and on the old Wilkes-Barre and Eastern Railroad corridor.[4]

A stretch of at least 7 miles (11 km) of Spring Brook are navigable by kayaking, paddling, or rafting. This stretch runs from the Nesbitt Reservoir to Moosic. The difficulty of the stream ranges from Class II to Class IV.[25]

Spring Brook is an approved trout stream.[26] In 1996, it was opened for trout fishing on April 29.[27]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Comprehensive plan of Springbrook Township Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania 2015 (PDF), 2015, pp. 5, 7–8, (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-25, retrieved July 7, 2016
  2. ^ a b c d e United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer, from the original on 2012-03-29, retrieved March 28, 2015
  3. ^ a b c Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, (PDF) from the original on 2015-09-17, retrieved March 28, 2015
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Lackawanna River Corridor Association (2001), (PDF), pp. 9, 21, 24, 43, 48, 78, 84, 90, 111, 113, 208, 234, 277–278, archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015, retrieved March 28, 2015
  5. ^ a b Susquehanna River Basin Commission (September 2009), Susquehanna River Basin Commission Middle Susquehanna Subbasin Year-1 Survey (PDF), (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-04, retrieved March 28, 2015
  6. ^ "List of NPDES and/or Other General Permit Types", Pennsylvania Bulletin, retrieved March 28, 2015
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lackawanna River Corridor Association, North Pocono Watershed Coalition (March 2006), Coldwater Conservation Plan for the North Pocono Tributary Streams of the Lackawanna River Watershed (PDF), pp. 5, 8, 28, 30–31, retrieved March 28, 2015
  8. ^ a b c Susquehanna River Basin Commission (December 28, 2010), Middle Susquehanna Subbasin Year-2 Survey: Small Watershed Study: Lackawanna River, An Assessment of Water Quality in Base Flow and Stormflow Conditions, April 2009 – April 2010, from the original on 2015-05-06, retrieved March 28, 2015
  9. ^ a b Pennsylvania Water Supply Commission (1916), Water Resources Inventory Report ...: Act of July 25, 1913, Part 10, p. 31
  10. ^ a b United States Geological Survey, USGS 01535540 Spring Brook near Spring Brook, PA, retrieved March 28, 2015
  11. ^ a b c d e f United States Geological Survey, USGS 01535540 Spring Brook near Spring Brook, PA, from the original on 2016-03-05, retrieved March 28, 2015
  12. ^ a b c d e Federal Emergency Management Agency (July 27, 2011), Flood Insurance Study Volume 1 of 3 (PDF), pp. 21, 23, 47, (PDF) from the original on 2015-04-18, retrieved March 28, 2015
  13. ^ a b Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (December 16, 2013), Class A Wild Trout Waters (PDF), pp. 21–22, (PDF) from the original on 2015-03-14, retrieved March 28, 2015
  14. ^ a b c Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: Spring Brook, retrieved March 28, 2015
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h Water Supply Commission of Pennsylvania (1921), Water Resources Inventory Report ..., Parts 1–5, p. 573
  16. ^ Frederick Futchko (April 1980), , archived from the original on March 4, 2016, retrieved March 28, 2015
  17. ^ , July 1978, archived from the original on March 4, 2016, retrieved March 28, 2015
  18. ^ , July 1978, archived from the original on March 4, 2016, retrieved March 28, 2015
  19. ^ Lackawanna River Corridor Association, The Lackawanna River Guide (PDF), p. 10, (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-05, retrieved March 28, 2015
  20. ^ Mervin S. Petersen, FLOODS OF AUGUST 1955 IN THE NORTHEASTERN STATES (PDF), p. 34, (PDF) from the original on 2016-06-15, retrieved July 7, 2016
  21. ^ a b Luzerne county, from the original on 2015-04-02, retrieved March 28, 2015
  22. ^ Lackawanna County, from the original on 2015-03-18, retrieved March 28, 2015
  23. ^ "§ 93.9j. Drainage List J. Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania Lackawanna River", Pennsylvania Code, from the original on 2015-02-24, retrieved March 28, 2015
  24. ^ Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (January 2015), Pennsylvania Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) (PDF), p. 46, (PDF) from the original on 2015-07-01, retrieved March 28, 2015
  25. ^ Pennsylvania whitewater, Spring Brook, from the original on 2015-09-24, retrieved March 28, 2015
  26. ^ Dave Wolf (2007), Flyfisher's Guide to Pennsylvania, Wilderness Adventures Press, p. 45, ISBN 9781932098518
  27. ^ , Times Leader, April 7, 1996, archived from the original on December 8, 2015, retrieved March 28, 2015

External links edit

  • Google Street View image of Spring Brook
  • Another Google Street View image of Spring Brook

January 01, 1970
spring, brook, lackawanna, river, tributary, spring, brook, also, known, spring, brook, creek, tributary, lackawanna, river, lackawanna, county, luzerne, county, pennsylvania, united, states, approximately, miles, long, flows, through, covington, township, spr. Spring Brook also known as Spring Brook Creek 1 is a tributary of the Lackawanna River in Lackawanna County and Luzerne County in Pennsylvania in the United States It is approximately 17 miles 27 km long and flows through Covington Township Spring Brook Township and Moosic in Lackawanna County and Pittston Township in Luzerne County 2 The watershed of the stream has an area of 57 2 square miles 148 km2 It is designated as a High Quality Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery above Interstate 476 and as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery below it A section is also designated as Class A Wild Trout Waters The stream s tributaries include Panther Creek Plank Bridge Creek Rattlesnake Creek Green Run Monument Creek and Covey Swamp Creek It has a relatively high level of water quality and is very slightly acidic with a pH of 6 4 to 6 9 Spring BrookSpring Brook CreekFalls at the Nesbitt Reservoir on Spring BrookPhysical characteristicsSource locationNear Interstate 380 in Covington Township Lackawanna County Pennsylvania elevation1 860 ft 570 m Mouth locationLackawanna River in Moosic Lackawanna County Pennsylvania coordinates41 21 26 N 75 44 14 W 41 35715 N 75 73721 W 41 35715 75 73721 elevation617 ft 188 m Length17 mi 27 km Basin size57 2 sq mi 148 km2 Basin featuresProgressionLackawanna River Susquehanna River Chesapeake BayTributaries leftPanther Creek Plank Bridge Creek Monument Creek rightRattlesnake Creek Green Run Covey Swamp Creek The upper reaches of the watershed of Spring Brook are mountainous and swampy Further downstream the stream flows through a water gap in the Moosic Mountains Sandstone shale and some coal are present in the vicinity of the stream It has been channelized in a concrete channel for part of its length and is the main source of flooding in Spring Brook Township Lackawanna County The stream is the second largest tributary of the Lackawanna River Reservoirs on Spring Brook include the Spring Brook Intake the Nesbitt Reservoir the Watres Reservoir There are three dams on the stream The watershed is mainly forested with only a small amount of urban land In the past industries in the watershed of Spring Brook included timbering coal mining and agriculture Two railroads also passed through the watershed in the early 1900s at least one of which was established by the 1880s The stream s watershed has served as a water supply since at least the early 1900s and still serves as a water supply for the Lackawanna Valley Several bridges have also been constructed across the stream in the 20th century The stream has been part of several studies since 1970 Part of its length is navigable by kayaking paddling and rafting Contents 1 Course 1 1 Tributaries 2 Hydrology 3 Geography geology and climate 4 Watershed 5 History and industries 6 Biology 7 Recreation 8 See also 9 References 10 External linksCourse editSpring Brook begins near Interstate 380 in Covington Township Lackawanna County It flows south for a short distance before meandering west for a few miles crossing Interstate 380 and entering Spring Brook Township The stream then turns south for several tenths of a mile before turning northwest for several tenths of a mile It turns southwest before turning north northwest and flowing around The Hogback On the northern side of that hill the stream turns south and then northwest entering the Watres Reservoir The stream exits the reservoir on its western side and flows northwest for a few miles passing Pinnacle Hill and receiving the tributaries Panther Creek and Plank Bridge Creek from the left It eventually bends east and enters the Nesbitt Reservoir after crossing Pennsylvania Route 502 Here it receives the tributary Rattlesnake Creek from the right and flows between high hills On the northern side of the reservoir the stream flows north receiving the tributary Green Run from the right before turning west southwest A few miles further downstream it passes through the Spring Brook Intake before exiting Lackawanna County 2 Upon exiting Lackawanna County Spring Brook enters Pittston Township Luzerne County It receives the tributary Monument Creek from the left and turns north northwest for a few miles flowing alongside Pennsylvania Route 502 On this stretch it leaves behind the hills that it flows through crosses Pennsylvania Route 502 and exits Luzerne County Upon exiting Luzerne County the stream enters Moosic Lackawanna County and continues flowing north northwest and receives the tributary Covey Swamp Creek from the right The stream then turns west southwest for a short distance before turning south and then west crossing Interstate 81 It then turns northwest for a few tenths of a mile crossing US Route 11 before reaching its confluence with the Lackawanna River 2 Spring Brook joins the Lackawanna River 3 62 miles 5 83 km upriver of its mouth 3 Tributaries edit Spring Brook has numerous named tributaries Panther Creek Plank Bridge Creek Rattlesnake Creek Green Run Monument Creek and Covey Swamp Creek 2 Panther Creek joins Spring Brook 10 40 miles 16 74 km upstream of its mouth Its watershed has an area of 7 18 square miles 18 6 km2 Plank Bridge Creek joins Spring Brook 8 65 miles 13 92 km upstream of its mouth Its watershed has an area of 1 26 square miles 3 3 km2 Rattlesnake Creek joins Spring Brook 7 96 miles 12 81 km upstream of its mouth Its watershed has an area of 9 18 square miles 23 8 km2 Green Run reaches its confluence with Spring Brook 6 48 miles 10 43 km upstream of its mouth Its watershed has an area of 4 32 square miles 11 2 km2 3 Spring Brook also has numerous unnamed tributaries 4 Hydrology editSpring Brook experiences noticeable flow loss 4 As of 2009 it has high levels of sodium and alkalinity 5 Pittson Township and the borough of Moosic have permits to discharge stormwater into it 6 However the water quality and habitat quality of the stream are relatively unimpacted 7 The stream has relatively high water quality even where it flows through a concrete channel In a study by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission it was found not to fail any water quality standards either during base flow or storm flow conditions 8 However a study from the previous year found concentrations of sodium and alkalinity exceeding the threshold for concern 5 In the early 1900s Spring Brook was a clear stream in its upper reaches However by the time it reached the property of the Du Pont Powder Company it was affected by slush pumped into it by the Pennsylvania Coal Company 9 Between 1971 and 1990 the streamflow of Spring Brook ranged from 0 900 to 27 0 cubic feet per second 10 The discharge ranged from 0 06 to 22 cubic feet per second in the 1970s 11 The gage height of the stream in the 1970s ranged from 4 72 to 6 35 feet 1 44 to 1 94 m 10 The peak annual discharge of the stream at its mouth has a 10 percent chance of reaching 5050 cubic feet per second It has a 2 percent chance of reaching 10 900 cubic feet per second and a 1 percent chance of reaching 14 700 cubic feet per second The peak annual discharge has a 0 2 percent chance of reaching 29 500 cubic feet per second 12 The concentration of dissolved oxygen in Spring Brook at the community of Spring Brook was measured to be 10 6 milligrams per liter in 1975 The concentration of hydrogen ions was measured to range from 0 00013 to 0 00040 milligrams per liter in the 1970s The concentration of carbon dioxide ranged from 2 2 to 6 2 milligrams per liter and the bicarbonate concentration ranged from 9 to 12 milligrams per liter The sulfate concentration in Spring Brook ranged from 12 0 to 19 0 milligrams per liter The chloride concentration ranged between 3 7 and 8 0 milligrams per liter 11 The concentration of organic nitrogen in Spring Brook at the community of Spring Brook was measured to be 0 09 milligrams per liter in 1975 The concentration of ammonia in the form of nitrogen was measured to be 0 040 milligrams per liter The concentration of nitrates in the form of nitrogen was 0 74 milligrams per liter and the concentration of nitrites in the form of nitrogen ranged from 0 045 to 0 29 milligrams per liter in 1971 11 The concentration of sodium and potassium as Na in Spring Brook ranged from 1 4 to 3 9 milligrams per liter The concentration of magnesium ranged from 0 90 to 1 60 milligrams per liter and the calcium concentration ranged from 7 30 to 8 80 milligrams per liter The concentration of recoverable iron in the stream was measured to be 60 micrograms per liter in 1975 11 The concentration of alkalinity in the waters of Spring Brook between the Watres Dam and the Nesbitt Reservoir is 11 milligrams per liter 13 In the 1970s the stream s pH ranged from 6 4 to 6 9 The total concentration of water hardness ranged from 23 to 28 milligrams per liter The turbidity of the stream at the community of Spring Brook was one measured to be less than 5 Jackson Turbidity Units The specific conductance of the stream ranged from 60 to 78 micro siemens per centimeter at 25 C 77 F during five measurements in the 1970s The concentration of dissolved solids in the stream was measured to be 54 milligrams per liter in 1975 11 Geography geology and climate editThe elevation near the mouth of Spring Brook is 617 feet 188 m above sea level 14 The elevation of the stream s source is approximately 1 860 feet 570 m above sea level 2 The gradient of the creek is 77 3 feet 23 6 m per mile 15 The topography of the watershed of Spring Brook is mainly mountainous with swampy land in its upper reaches 15 Some bogs are also present in this area Wetlands near the stream s headwaters include the Yostville marshes 4 In the stream s middle and lower reaches its valley is flanked by steep high mountains Its channel is sinuous and flows through rock formations consisting of sandstone and shale There is also some coal in the lower reaches of the watershed There are some culm dumps along the stream between Pennsylvania Route 502 and US Route 11 15 Spring Brook flows across the Pocono Plateau and passes through the Moosic Mountains via a water gap known as the Spring Brook Gap Its mouth is in the Lackawanna Valley In its lower reaches the stream is channelized in a large open concrete channel 4 A number of bank stabilization projects have been done on the stream from Belin Village downstream to its mouth 7 Some land in the vicinity of the stream is designated as a 100 year floodplain 1 There are a number of dams on Spring Brook One of these is the Spring Brook Intake Dam which was determined in 1980 to be in good condition 16 Another is the Nesbitt Dam and a third is the Watres Dam 17 18 Most of the Group A and Group B soils in Spring Brook Township Lackawanna County are located along Spring Brook These soils groups consist mainly of Pope soils 1 The average annual rate of precipitation in the watershed of Spring Brook is between 35 and 40 inches 89 and 102 cm 15 The water temperature of the stream at the community of Spring Brook ranged from 8 0 to 15 5 C 46 4 to 59 9 F in five measurements during the 1970s 11 Watershed editThe watershed of Spring Brook has an area of 57 2 square miles 148 km2 3 The watershed is in southern Lackawanna County and northeastern Luzerne County 15 It is in the lower part of the Lackawanna River watershed in its south central and southwestern section 4 The watershed is part of the North Pocono Watershed region of the Lackawanna River watershed 7 The mouth of the stream is in the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Avoca However its source is in the quadrangle of Moscow 14 The creek mainly flows in a northwesterly direction 15 Spring Brook is the second largest tributary of the Lackawanna River after Roaring Brook It is a third order stream 4 A significant portion of the watershed is forested 4 8 However some residential areas such as Yostville Maple Lake and Spring Brook Village are in the stream s vicinity 4 The stream also flows through an urban area in Moosic Its headwaters are near Yostville 7 However only a few square miles of the watershed is urban 8 Approximately 60 percent of the stream s watershed is owned by the Theta Company as of 2006 7 Reservoirs and ponds in the watershed of Spring Brook include the Spring Brook Intake the Nesbitt Reservoir the Watres Reservoir and Maple Lake 4 The first three are used as drinking water reservoirs and the lakes also serve as flood protection 4 12 The Pennsylvania American Water Company owns all four lakes and several hundred acres of the surrounding land 7 There are flood levees at the mouth of the stream There is some evidence of coal mining on a ridge overlooking the area in the stream s vicinity However residential encroachment on the stream s floodplain is a more significant environmental concern 4 Spring Brook is the main source of flooding in Spring Brook Township Lackawanna County 12 History and industries editSpring Brook was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2 1979 Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1188206 14 Spring Brook provided power for early lumbering in Spring Brook Township Lackawanna County 1 In the early 1900s the main industries in the watershed of Spring Brook included coal mining and agriculture 15 The Pennsylvania Coal Company historically had a washery that discharged into the stream The Du Pont Powder Company also operated in the watershed at that time 9 A railroad line along the stream was present by the 1880s 19 The Wilkes Barre and Eastern Railroad also crossed the stream s watershed and the Scranton and Spring Brook Railroad followed the stream between Rockdale and its mouth During this time period major communities in the watershed included Moosic which had a population of 3964 at the time The main stem and several tributaries were also historically used as a water supply by the Spring Brook Water Supply Company 15 The stream is still used as an important water supply in the Lackawanna Valley as of 2001 4 Together with Roaring Brook and Stafford Meadow Brook it serves as a water supply to a substantial part of the valley 7 Some areas of the watershed have been subjected to extensive timbering programs as recently as 2001 The Nesbitt Water Filtration Plant is in the watershed in Pittston Township Luzerne County It is owned by the Pennsylvania American Water Company 4 Spring Brook flooded during Hurricane Diane in 1955 reaching a discharge of 10 300 cubic feet per second 290 m3 s near Moosic and destroying three homes and inundating the basements and first floors of many others 12 20 The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection constructed a levee on the stream after this flooding event 12 The stream also experienced bank failure during floods in October 1985 and January 1996 It also flooded homes and trailers in its vicinity 4 A two span steel stringer multi beam or girder bridge carrying Main Street State Route 3024 over Spring Brook was built in 1956 It is 111 9 feet 34 1 m long and is situated in Moosic 21 Another bridge of the same type was built over the stream in 1957 This bridge is 155 8 feet 47 5 m long and is in Pittston Township A two span prestressed box beam or girders bridge was built over the stream in Moosic in 1958 It is 138 1 feet 42 1 m long and carries Pennsylvania Route 502 Another bridge of the same type but with only one span was built in Moosic in 1959 and repaired in 1985 It carries US Route 11 and is 67 9 feet 20 7 m long In 1961 a two span steel stringer multi beam or girder bridge was built over the stream in Moosic It is 180 1 feet 54 9 m long and carries Pennsylvania Route 502 22 A prestressed box beam carrying Pennsylvania Route 502 over the stream was constructed in 1987 This bridge is in Pittston Township and has a length of 27 9 feet 8 5 m 21 Spring Brook has been studied several times It was studied by the United States Geological Survey from 1971 to 1975 by Daniels working for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in 1976 by Rider and Blacksmith working for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in 1985 by Copeland working for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in 1992 by Moase working for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in 1993 and Popp and McGurl in 2003 7 The stream is on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Abandoned Mine Restoration s priority list for restoration 4 Biology editThe drainage basin of Spring Brook is designated as a High Quality Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery from its headwaters downstream to the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Interstate 476 From that point downstream to its mouth the drainage basin of the stream is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery 23 Wild trout naturally reproduce in Spring Brook from its headwaters downstream to its mouth 24 A 2 4 mile 4 kilometer section of the stream from the Watres Dam downstream to the Nesbitt Reservoir is considered by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to be Class A Wild Trout Waters for both brook trout and brown trout The tributaries Green Run and Panther Creek are Class A Wild Trout Waters for brook trout and part of the tributary Rattlesnake Creek is Class A Wild Trout Waters for both brook trout and brown trout 13 Numerous macroinvertebrate species have been observed in Spring Brook A total of 18 genera are from the orders Ephemeroptera Plecoptera and Trichoptera A short distance upstream of the Watres Reservoir the most common genera taxa were the family Chironomidae and the genera Drunella Ephemerella and Hydropsyche Of a 200 individual sample 34 28 25 and 20 individuals of each taxon have been observed respectively Slightly less common are the genera Epeorus Hexatoma Leuctra and Lepidostoma Of the 200 individual sample 15 13 11 and 10 individuals of each taxon have been observed respectively Still less common are the genera Baetis Paraleptophlebia Acroneuria Stenonema Nigronia Agapetus DoIophilodes and Optioservus In the 200 individual sample 8 6 5 4 4 3 2 and 2 individuals of each taxon have been observed respectively Only one individual each of the genera Isonychia Amphinemura Cheumatopsyche Rhycophila Neophylax Psephenus Boyeria Tabanus and Cambarus were observed 7 The wetlands at the headwaters of Spring Brook are home to boreal forest trees These include black spruce paper birch and tamarack Huckleberry lady s slipper leather leaf mountain laurel pitcher plant and rhododendron plants inhabit bogs in the area 4 The modified Hilsenhoff Biotic Index value of Spring Brook a short distance upstream of the Watres Reservoir is 2 56 The modified EPT Index value at this location is 15 The taxa richness value is 26 7 Recreation editA trail known as the Spring Brook Wilkes Barre and Eastern Greenway was proposed in the Lackawanna River Watershed Conservation Plan in 2001 There are plans for trails on the flood levee at the stream s mouth and on the old Wilkes Barre and Eastern Railroad corridor 4 A stretch of at least 7 miles 11 km of Spring Brook are navigable by kayaking paddling or rafting This stretch runs from the Nesbitt Reservoir to Moosic The difficulty of the stream ranges from Class II to Class IV 25 Spring Brook is an approved trout stream 26 In 1996 it was opened for trout fishing on April 29 27 See also editMill Creek Lackawanna River next tributary of the Lackawanna River going downriver Keyser Creek next tributary of the Lackawanna River going upriver List of rivers of Pennsylvania List of tributaries of the Lackawanna RiverReferences edit a b c d Comprehensive plan of Springbrook Township Lackawanna County Pennsylvania 2015 PDF 2015 pp 5 7 8 archived PDF from the original on 2016 03 25 retrieved July 7 2016 a b c d e United States Geological Survey The National Map Viewer archived from the original on 2012 03 29 retrieved March 28 2015 a b c Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams PDF November 2 2001 archived PDF from the original on 2015 09 17 retrieved March 28 2015 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Lackawanna River Corridor Association 2001 Lackawanna River Watershed Conservation Plan PDF pp 9 21 24 43 48 78 84 90 111 113 208 234 277 278 archived from the original PDF on September 23 2015 retrieved March 28 2015 a b Susquehanna River Basin Commission September 2009 Susquehanna River Basin Commission Middle Susquehanna Subbasin Year 1 Survey PDF archived PDF from the original on 2016 03 04 retrieved March 28 2015 List of NPDES and or Other General Permit Types Pennsylvania Bulletin retrieved March 28 2015 a b c d e f g h i j Lackawanna River Corridor Association North Pocono Watershed Coalition March 2006 Coldwater Conservation Plan for the North Pocono Tributary Streams of the Lackawanna River Watershed PDF pp 5 8 28 30 31 retrieved March 28 2015 a b c Susquehanna River Basin Commission December 28 2010 Middle Susquehanna Subbasin Year 2 Survey Small Watershed Study Lackawanna River An Assessment of Water Quality in Base Flow and Stormflow Conditions April 2009 April 2010 archived from the original on 2015 05 06 retrieved March 28 2015 a b Pennsylvania Water Supply Commission 1916 Water Resources Inventory Report Act of July 25 1913 Part 10 p 31 a b United States Geological Survey USGS 01535540 Spring Brook near Spring Brook PA retrieved March 28 2015 a b c d e f United States Geological Survey USGS 01535540 Spring Brook near Spring Brook PA archived from the original on 2016 03 05 retrieved March 28 2015 a b c d e Federal Emergency Management Agency July 27 2011 Flood Insurance Study Volume 1 of 3 PDF pp 21 23 47 archived PDF from the original on 2015 04 18 retrieved March 28 2015 a b Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission December 16 2013 Class A Wild Trout Waters PDF pp 21 22 archived PDF from the original on 2015 03 14 retrieved March 28 2015 a b c Geographic Names Information System Feature Detail Report for Spring Brook retrieved March 28 2015 a b c d e f g h Water Supply Commission of Pennsylvania 1921 Water Resources Inventory Report Parts 1 5 p 573 Frederick Futchko April 1980 National Dam Inspection Program Spring Brook Intake Dam NDI ID Number PA 00450 DER ID Number 35 40 Susquehanna River Basin Spring Brook Lackawanna County Pennsylvania Phase I Inspection Report archived from the original on March 4 2016 retrieved March 28 2015 National Dam Inspection Program Nesbitt Dam NDS PA 00449 DER 35 15 Susquehanna River Basin Spring Brook Lackawanna County Pennsylvania Phase I Inspection Report July 1978 archived from the original on March 4 2016 retrieved March 28 2015 National Dam Inspection Program Watres Dam NDS ID Number Pa 00451 DER ID Number 35 81 Pennsylvania Gas and Water Company Susquehanna River Basin Spring Brook Lackawanna County Pennsylvania Phase I Inspection Report July 1978 archived from the original on March 4 2016 retrieved March 28 2015 Lackawanna River Corridor Association The Lackawanna River Guide PDF p 10 archived PDF from the original on 2016 03 05 retrieved March 28 2015 Mervin S Petersen FLOODS OF AUGUST 1955 IN THE NORTHEASTERN STATES PDF p 34 archived PDF from the original on 2016 06 15 retrieved July 7 2016 a b Luzerne county archived from the original on 2015 04 02 retrieved March 28 2015 Lackawanna County archived from the original on 2015 03 18 retrieved March 28 2015 93 9j Drainage List J Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania Lackawanna River Pennsylvania Code archived from the original on 2015 02 24 retrieved March 28 2015 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission January 2015 Pennsylvania Wild Trout Waters Natural Reproduction PDF p 46 archived PDF from the original on 2015 07 01 retrieved March 28 2015 Pennsylvania whitewater Spring Brook archived from the original on 2015 09 24 retrieved March 28 2015 Dave Wolf 2007 Flyfisher s Guide to Pennsylvania Wilderness Adventures Press p 45 ISBN 9781932098518 Anglers await Saturday start of trout season the biggest day of the year for anglers comes up Saturday as the 1996 trout season opens Times Leader April 7 1996 archived from the original on December 8 2015 retrieved March 28 2015External links editGoogle Street View image of Spring Brook Another Google Street View image of Spring Brook Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Spring Brook Lackawanna River tributary amp oldid 1191174369, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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