Brace Brook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brace Brook |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | hill in Mount Pleasant Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania between 2,040 and 2,060 feet (620 and 630 m) |
| River mouth | Lackawanna River in Forest City, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania 1,473 ft (449 m) 41°39′44″N 75°27′50″W / 41.66213°N 75.46378°W |
| Length | 2.9 mi (4.7 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Lackawanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 2.99 sq mi (7.7 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Brace Brook is a small stream, or tributary, in Pennsylvania. It flows into the Lackawanna River. You can find it in Wayne County and Susquehanna County.
The brook is about 2.9 miles (4.7 km) long. It flows through a few different areas. These include Mount Pleasant Township, Clinton Township, and Forest City.
The land area that drains into Brace Brook is called its watershed. This watershed covers about 2.99 square miles (7.7 km2). The stream helps drain part of the Moosic Mountains.
Brace Brook is home to different fish. Its waters are good for coldwater fish and fish that travel, like trout. There is also a reservoir, or large water storage area, called the Brace Brook Reservoir along the stream.
Contents
Where Does Brace Brook Flow?
Brace Brook starts on a hill in Mount Pleasant Township. This is close to the border between Wayne and Susquehanna Counties. It flows generally south, moving through a valley.
The stream then enters Clinton Township. It continues to flow south-southeast. Along the way, it picks up water from a smaller, unnamed stream.
Next, Brace Brook flows through the Brace Brook Reservoir. After the reservoir, it turns south. It then flows southwest before turning south again.
Finally, the stream leaves Wayne County and enters Forest City in Susquehanna County. Here, it quickly joins the Lackawanna River. Brace Brook meets the Lackawanna River about 36.96 miles (59.48 km) upstream from the Lackawanna's mouth.
Water Quality of Brace Brook
The water in Brace Brook is considered clean. It is not listed as an "impaired" stream. This means it meets water quality standards.
Long ago, in the early 1900s, the water quality was also good. It was described as "satisfactory" in some parts of the stream. The water has a certain level of alkalinity, which is about 23 milligrams per liter (0.023 oz/cu ft).
Land and Mountains Around the Brook
The land around Brace Brook is interesting. The stream's mouth is about 1,473 feet (449 m) above sea level. Its source, where it begins, is higher up. It is between 2,040 and 2,060 feet (620 and 630 m) above sea level.
Brace Brook drains part of the Moosic Mountains. Specifically, it flows from Browndale Mountain. This is a section of the Moosic Mountains.
The stream flows through a "spectacular" ravine. This is a deep, narrow valley, found downstream from the Brace Brook Reservoir. You might also see an above-ground water pipeline near the brook.
The ground around the stream has different types of soil and rock. Near the mouth, you can find alluvium (river deposits), land from surface mining, coal dumps, and fill (added soil). There is also Wisconsinan Till, which is a type of glacial soil. The bedrock here is made of sandstone and shale.
Further upstream, the ground is mostly Wisconsinan Till. But there are also areas of alluvium and peat bogs near the Brace Brook Reservoir. The sides of the stream's valley are lined with sandstone and shale bedrock.
The Brace Brook Watershed
The watershed of Brace Brook is the entire area of land where water flows into the stream. This area covers about 2.99 square miles (7.7 km2). The stream is located entirely within the Forest City quadrangle. This is a specific map area used by the United States Geological Survey.
Brace Brook is a "second-order" stream. This means it forms when two smaller "first-order" streams join together.
The Brace Brook Reservoir is an important part of the watershed. It serves as an emergency water supply for Forest City. The Pennsylvania American Water Company manages this reservoir.
History and Fun Activities
Brace Brook has been known for a long time. It was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System in 1979. This system keeps track of place names.
The reservoir on Brace Brook has supplied water to Forest City for over a hundred years. In the early 1900s, it provided water using gravity. This means water flowed downhill from the reservoir to the town.
Long ago, permission was requested to build a bridge over the stream. This bridge would have been on a new road near Forest City. You can still find old concrete structures along Brace Brook. There is also a water filtration plant south of where the stream meets the Lackawanna River.
In 2013, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission thought about adding Brace Brook to its list of wild trout streams. This would recognize it as a special place for trout.
Today, you can find unofficial walking paths along the ravine. This is a great way to explore the area. The stream also flows under the O&W Rail Trail through a culvert. This is a tunnel that allows water to pass under the trail.
Animals and Nature
The area around Brace Brook is important for wildlife. It is known as a Coldwater Fishery. This means its waters are cool enough for fish like trout to live. It is also a Migratory Fishery, which means fish travel through it.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has given Brace Brook a special designation. It is called Class A Wild Trout Waters. This means it is an excellent place for wild brook trout. These trout live in the stream from its start down to the Brace Brook Reservoir.
