Becker Brook facts for kids

Becker Brook is a small stream, also called a tributary, located in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. It flows into a larger stream called Mehoopany Creek. Becker Brook is about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) long, which is roughly the distance of 4 kilometers. It winds its way through a place called Forkston Township.

This stream is special because its water is very cold and clean. This makes it a great home for certain types of fish and other water creatures. The area around the stream, called its watershed, covers about 2.33 square miles (6.0 km²). At the very beginning of the stream, where it starts, there's a swamp known as the Becker Brook Swamp.

Where Becker Brook Flows

Becker Brook begins high up on Dutch Mountain in Forkston Township. Imagine it starting as a tiny trickle of water!

• It flows south for a short distance.
• Then, it turns east and later southeast, like a snake winding through the land.
• As it travels, it gets water from two smaller streams that join it. These are called tributaries. One joins from the right side, and another from the left.
• The stream then enters a valley, which is a low area between hills.
• Finally, after flowing for about 2.6 miles (4.2 km), Becker Brook meets and joins Mehoopany Creek. This happens about 14.20 miles (22.85 km) upstream from where Mehoopany Creek itself ends.

The Land Around the Stream

Becker Brook is a quiet and hidden stream. It generally flows towards the east. The land around the stream changes in height quite a bit.

• Near where Becker Brook joins Mehoopany Creek, the elevation is about 1,250 feet (380 m) above sea level.
• But up where the stream starts, at its source on Dutch Mountain, the elevation is much higher, around 2,185 feet (666 m) above sea level. This difference in height helps the water flow downhill.

Water and Wildlife

The entire area that collects water for Becker Brook is called its watershed. This watershed covers about 2.33 square miles (6.0 km²). The stream is located entirely within a specific map area called the Dutch Mountain quadrangle. The end of the stream is close to a town called Bellasylva.

Becker Brook is important for aquatic life, which means it's a good place for fish and other water animals to live. It's considered a "High-Quality Coldwater Fishery," which means its cold, clean water is perfect for fish like native trout. In fact, in 1986, people noticed that there were many native trout living in the stream.

The stream is also home to many birds. For example, Yellow-bellied flycatchers have been seen building their nests near where the stream begins. Other birds that live in the Becker Brook Swamp include black-throated blue warblers, dark-eyed juncos, and white-throated sparrows.

Becker Brook Swamp

At the very beginning of Becker Brook, there's a special place called the Becker Brook Swamp. This swamp is so important that it's listed on the Wyoming County Natural Areas Inventory.

The swamp is a unique habitat with many different plants:

• Tall trees like red spruce and red maple.
• Thick bushes of highbush blueberry.
• Different types of ferns, like cinnamon fern.
• And soft, spongy sphagnum moss that covers the ground.

This swamp is a valuable natural area, but it faces some challenges. Things like beaver activity, logging (cutting down trees), and ATV usage can affect it. To protect this special place, experts have suggested keeping ATVs out of the swamp and the areas around it.

History of the Name

The name "Becker Brook" was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system helps keep track of names for places like rivers and mountains.

Becker Brook is also located within Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 57. These are areas managed by the state for wildlife and outdoor activities.