Blackberry Run facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackberry Run |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | plateau in Davidson Township, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania 2,260 ft (690 m) |
| River mouth | East Branch Fishing Creek in Davidson Township, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania 1,076 ft (328 m) 41°18′34″N 76°21′17″W / 41.3095°N 76.3546°W |
| Length | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | East Branch Fishing Creek → Fishing Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 1.91 sq mi (4.9 km2) |
Blackberry Run is a small stream located in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. It flows into the East Branch Fishing Creek. The stream is about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long and runs through Davidson Township.
The area of land that drains into Blackberry Run, called its watershed, is about 1.91 square miles (4.9 km2). The water in Blackberry Run is naturally quite acidic. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection considers it "impaired" because of pollution from the air.
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Where Blackberry Run Flows
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Blackberry Run starts high up on a flat area, or plateau, in Davidson Township. It flows south for a short distance. Then, it turns southeast and goes into a deep valley.
After a while, the stream turns south-southeast, still following the valley. Eventually, it leaves the valley. It then meets the East Branch Fishing Creek near the border of Sullivan and Columbia County.
Blackberry Run joins East Branch Fishing Creek about 3.08 miles (4.96 km) before the East Branch reaches its own end. It is the last named stream to join East Branch Fishing Creek.
Small Streams Joining Blackberry Run
Blackberry Run does not have any named streams flowing into it. However, it does have at least one small, unnamed stream that joins it.
Water Conditions in Blackberry Run
The average amount of water flowing in Blackberry Run, known as its discharge, is about 2,113 gallons per minute. The pH of the stream, which tells us how acidic or basic the water is, averages 4.70. A lower pH means more acidity.
Blackberry Run suffers from ongoing acidification. This means its water is consistently too acidic. However, it doesn't make the East Branch Fishing Creek as acidic as some other streams that flow into it.
The overall water quality of Blackberry Run is considered "severe" when there's a lot of water flowing. In normal conditions, it's rated as "very poor." To improve its water quality, Blackberry Run needs more alkalinity. Alkalinity helps to balance out the acidity.
One idea to help the stream is to build special wetlands at its start. These wetlands would help increase the water's alkalinity. Other ideas include adding lime to roads nearby or creating special channels to help during high water flows.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection wants Blackberry Run to support aquatic life, like fish and insects. But, as mentioned, the stream is considered unhealthy due to air pollution.
Land and Rocks Around the Stream
The land near where Blackberry Run meets East Branch Fishing Creek is about 1,076 feet (328 m) above sea level. The stream's starting point is much higher, around 2,260 feet (690 m) above sea level.
The lower part of Blackberry Run flows over a type of rock called the Catskill Formation. Further upstream, it flows over the Huntley Mountain Formation. The very top parts of the stream are on rock from the Burgoon Sandstone.
The soil near the stream is also very acidic. You can also find rock outcroppings, which are places where rock sticks out of the ground. These rocks are made of shale and sandstone.
Blackberry Run's Watershed
The watershed of Blackberry Run is the entire area of land where all the rain and snowmelt drain into the stream. This area covers about 1.91 square miles (4.9 km2). Within this watershed, there are about 2.9 miles (4.7 km) of streams.
Most of the land around Blackberry Run is part of Pennsylvania State Game Lands. There is also a wooded trail near the stream, which is great for exploring nature.
History of Blackberry Run
In the early 1900s, Blackberry Run was used as a source of water for factories and homes, especially for people living in Jamison City. Part of the stream was closed to fishing in 1920. A large tannery, which processes animal hides, used to operate on the stream.
Improving Blackberry Run is an important part of a bigger plan called the East Branch Fishing Creek Restoration Plan. This plan aims to restore up to 2.4 miles (3.9 km) of Blackberry Run. The estimated cost to fix the stream is about $200,000.
Blackberry Run was first listed as an impaired (unhealthy) stream by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in 2002.
Animals and Plants Near the Stream
You can find Great-spurred violet plants growing near Blackberry Run. The stream is also known as a "high-quality coldwater fishery." This means it's a good place for fish that prefer cold, clean water.
Images for kids
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A view of the stream.
