Aylesworth Creek facts for kids

Aylesworth Creek is a small stream in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It flows into the Lackawanna River. The creek is about 4.9 miles (7.9 km) long. It passes through places like Carbondale Township, Mayfield, and Archbald.

The area of land that drains into Aylesworth Creek is about 6.73 square miles (17.4 km²). This area is called its watershed. Some parts of the creek are affected by old mine pollution. The water can be a bit acidic. The creek starts in the Moosic Mountains. The rocks around the creek are mostly a mix of different types of sedimentary rock and sandstone.

There are two lakes in the Aylesworth Creek watershed. These are the Edgerton Reservoir and Aylesworth Creek Lake. The Edgerton Reservoir used to hold drinking water. Aylesworth Creek Lake helps control floods and is used for fun activities. The upper parts of the creek are mostly untouched. But the lower parts have been changed by old mining and city growth. Most of the land around the creek is covered by forests.

Aylesworth Creek is a special place for fish. It is known as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's a good home for fish that like cold water, and fish that travel to different places.

Where the Creek Flows

Aylesworth Creek starts in a small lake. This lake is in a valley in Carbondale Township. The creek flows south-southwest for a short distance. Then it goes through another lake.

After the lake, the creek turns southwest for over a mile. It briefly goes through Mayfield. Then it enters Archbald. In Archbald, it flows through the Edgerton Reservoir. The creek then turns west-southwest for about a mile.

Next, it turns south for a short bit. Then it turns southwest and then west-northwest. A little further downstream, it goes through Aylesworth Creek Lake. It keeps flowing west-northwest. Then it crosses US Route 6. After that, it turns southwest.

Finally, the creek turns west for a while. Then it turns south. A short distance later, it joins the Lackawanna River. Aylesworth Creek meets the Lackawanna River about 24.30 miles (39.11 km) upstream from the Lackawanna River's mouth.

Creek Branches

Aylesworth Creek has no named smaller streams flowing into it. However, it does have three unnamed branches. These branches are about 0.7 miles (1.1 km), 1.5 miles (2.4 km), and 2.0 miles (3.2 km) long. All three of these smaller streams join Aylesworth Creek from its left side.

Water Quality

Aylesworth Creek is known as an "impaired" stream. This means its water quality isn't as good as it should be. The problems start upstream of the Edgerton Reservoir and go all the way to where it meets the Lackawanna River. The main reasons for this impairment are old mine drainage and activities like digging for resources.

Old mine drainage has caused the creek to have high levels of metals. It also makes the water more acidic. This mine water seeps into the creek from underground. One of the unnamed branches of Aylesworth Creek is also affected. Its water flow is changed by old mine drainage.

Scientists measure different things in the water. For example, the amount of iron, manganese, and aluminum in the creek is checked. These levels are okay and don't need to be lowered. However, the creek's acidity needs to be reduced a lot. This is to meet water quality goals.

The amount of water flowing in Aylesworth Creek changes. It can range from about 605 gallons per minute to over 10,000 gallons per minute. The water's pH, which tells how acidic or basic it is, usually ranges from 4.4 to 5.6. An average pH of 5.1 means it's slightly acidic.

Land and Rocks

The land around Aylesworth Creek is part of the Appalachian Mountains. This area has long, steep ridges and valleys. The mouth of the creek is about 925 feet (282 m) above sea level. The source of the creek is much higher, between 1,560 and 1,580 feet (480 and 480 m) above sea level.

The creek's source is in a small wetland pond. This is in the Moosic Mountains. The upper parts of the creek are very natural and peaceful. But the lower parts have been changed by old mining and city growth.

There are also dams on the creek, like the Aylesworth Dam and the Edgerton Dam. In its upper parts, the creek flows through wetlands and deep valleys. As it flows downstream, it passes over areas that used to have coal measures. This is where the first signs of mining impact appear. In the lower parts, the creek banks are covered with mining waste. Even so, the creek's path is still quite stable.

Most of the land in the Aylesworth Creek watershed is made of mixed sedimentary rock. A smaller part is made of sandstone. The soil in the upper parts is rocky and doesn't drain well. But the lower parts have more paved areas or mining lands where water drains quickly.

Creek's Drainage Area

The entire area of land that drains water into Aylesworth Creek is called its watershed. This area covers about 6.73 square miles (17.4 km²). The creek's mouth is near the town of Carbondale. Its source is near Waymart.

Most of the Aylesworth Creek watershed, about 89 percent, is covered by forests. The other 11 percent includes old mining sites, homes, and recreation areas. The watershed is much narrower near the creek's mouth than it is upstream. Most of this area is in Archbald, Carbondale Township, and Jefferson Township. A smaller part is in Mayfield. A tiny corner even reaches into Wayne County.

The Edgerton Reservoir and the Aylesworth Reservoir are both on Aylesworth Creek. The Aylesworth Reservoir is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) downstream from the Edgerton Reservoir.

Aylesworth Creek is considered a "second-order" stream. This means it's formed by two smaller streams joining together. Much of the upper watershed is on Pennsylvania State Game Lands or private land. This helps keep this part of the creek natural. The creek also crosses the Robery Casey Highway and can be reached from US Route 6.

History and Fun

Aylesworth Creek was officially named and added to a national information system on August 2, 1979.

You can still see parts of an old gravity railroad along the lower sections of Aylesworth Creek. There are also remains of old mills. In the 1970s, the United States Army Corps of Engineers built a flood protection project on the creek. This helps prevent flooding. In 2000, a project was done to make the creek banks more stable. This helped stop erosion.

There's also a special project to clean up old mine drainage. It uses two limestone water wheels. These wheels turn in concrete basins. They help make the acidic mine water less harmful before it flows into Aylesworth Creek Lake. This project started in 1983. Later, in 2006, a new system called an anoxic limestone drain replaced it.

A plan called the Aylesworth Creek Restoration is in the works. This project aims to reshape old mining waste, reduce erosion, and improve the water quality. The Lackawanna Valley Conservancy takes care of a 12-acre area where the creek meets the Lackawanna River. This area is called the Powder Mill Dam River Corridor Preserve. The creek flows through this preserve for its last 0.2 miles (0.32 km). You can find a walking trail and access to the Lackawanna River here.

People also enjoy fishing for trout at the Aylesworth Reservoir. The reservoir and the land around it are also used for swimming and hiking.

Wildlife and Nature

The area around Aylesworth Creek is special for fish. It's known as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it supports fish that like cold water and fish that travel. Aylesworth Creek Lake is stocked with brook trout, making it a good spot for fishing. The creek is an "Approved Trout Water."

In the upper parts of Aylesworth Creek, up to the Edgerton Reservoir, the creek has a natural riparian buffer. This is a strip of native plants and trees along the banks. A healthy forest covers this area. You can even find Hemlock trees here. In the lower parts of the creek, there's still a stable buffer of plants. These include new plants growing and some of the original native plants.

See Also

• Lackawanna River
• Susquehanna River