Bear Swamp Creek facts for kids

Bear Swamp Creek is a small stream, also called a tributary, located in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Tunkhannock Creek. The creek is about 4.3 miles (6.9 km) long, which is roughly the distance of a 7-kilometer run! It winds its way through two areas: Gibson Township and Clifford Township.

The area of land that drains water into Bear Swamp Creek, called its watershed, covers about 3.92 square miles (10.2 km²). This creek is considered a healthy waterway and is not listed as "impaired," meaning it's in good condition. It also flows through a special wet area known as Bear Swamp. The creek's watershed is important because it's a great place for cold-water fish and fish that travel long distances, like salmon or trout.

Journey of Bear Swamp Creek

Bear Swamp Creek starts its journey high up on the western side of East Mountain in Gibson Township.

From Mountain to Swamp

• First, it flows west-southwest down into a valley for a short distance.
• Then, it turns southwest.
• After flowing a bit further, the creek reaches the bottom of the mountain.
• It passes through a small, unnamed lake.
• Next, it turns south-southwest, and a small, unnamed stream joins it from the left side.
• After traveling a few miles, the creek enters a wetland called Bear Swamp. This is where it crosses into Clifford Township.

Through the Swamp and Back

• In Bear Swamp, the creek turns west and then north.
• It flows alongside a place called Carey Hill.
• After a short distance, it re-enters Gibson Township.
• The creek then turns north-northwest for a bit.
• Finally, it turns north again.
• A short distance downstream, Bear Swamp Creek meets and joins Tunkhannock Creek.

Bear Swamp Creek is about 4.3 miles (6.9 km) long from where it starts to where it joins Tunkhannock Creek. It connects with Tunkhannock Creek about 29.39 miles (47.30 km) before Tunkhannock Creek reaches its own end.

Creek's Environment

The land around Bear Swamp Creek has interesting features, from its height above sea level to the types of rocks and soil found there.

Height and Water Health

• Near where Bear Swamp Creek joins Tunkhannock Creek, the land is about 942 feet (287 m) above sea level.
• Near where the creek begins, high on East Mountain, the land is much higher, about 1,703 feet (519 m) above sea level.
• It's good news that Bear Swamp Creek is considered a healthy waterway and is not listed as "impaired." This means its water quality is good.

Rocks and Soil Around the Creek

• Near the mouth of the creek, the ground is mostly made of a type of soil left behind by glaciers, called till. There are also some areas with alluvium, which is soil deposited by flowing water.
• However, a nearby hill called Carey Hill is mostly made of solid bedrock, which is hard rock like sandstone and shale.
• Closer to the creek, you might find peat bogs, which are spongy areas of decaying plants, and more wetlands and lakes.
• Higher up the creek, the ground is mostly alluvium and till, with bedrock further away.

Wildlife and Special Uses

The area around Bear Swamp Creek is important for different kinds of animals, especially fish.

Home for Fish

• The entire area that drains into Bear Swamp Creek, its watershed, is special. It's known as a "Coldwater Fishery" and a "Migratory Fishery."
• A "Coldwater Fishery" means the water is cold enough for fish like trout, which need cool, clean water to live.
• A "Migratory Fishery" means it's a place where fish that travel long distances, like salmon or certain types of trout, can pass through or live.
• The main purpose of the creek, from an environmental view, is to support aquatic life, meaning all the plants and animals that live in the water.

Bear Swamp

• A large swamp called Bear Swamp is located very close to Bear Swamp Creek. Swamps are important wetlands that provide homes for many different plants and animals.

History of the Creek

Bear Swamp Creek and the nearby Bear Swamp have a bit of history tied to them.

Official Recognition

• Bear Swamp Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of all the names of places in the United States. Its special ID number is 1168952.

How Bear Swamp Got Its Name

• The swamp near the creek, Bear Swamp, got its name from an early settler named John Collar. He was one of the first people to live near Tunkhannock Creek in Gibson Township.
• Legend says that John Collar was a very skilled trapper. He managed to trap nine bears in Bear Swamp in just one season! That's a lot of bears!
• Long ago, someone even tried to dig for oil in Bear Swamp, but they didn't find any.