Carbon Run facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carbon Run |
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Carbon Run in Shamokin
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | small lake in Zerbe Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania between 1,060 and 1,080 feet (320 and 330 m) |
| River mouth | Shamokin Creek in Shamokin, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania 709 ft (216 m) 40°47′21″N 76°33′47″W / 40.78909°N 76.56296°W |
| Length | 5.2 mi (8.4 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Shamokin Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 8.78 sq mi (22.7 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Carbon Run is a small stream, or tributary, that flows into Shamokin Creek in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. It is about 5.2 miles (8.4 km) long. The stream flows through three areas: Zerbe Township, Coal Township, and Shamokin.
The area that drains into Carbon Run, called its watershed, covers about 8.78 square miles (22.7 km2). Carbon Run is affected by pollution from old mines, known as acid mine drainage. This pollution makes the water look orange because of metals like iron and aluminum.
Even though it's polluted, there are efforts to clean it up. Special systems have been put in place to help treat the water. The stream's watershed is important for fish that like cold water and fish that travel to spawn. While there are no trout living in the stream right now, some other fish and tiny water creatures have been seen there. Carbon Run is also known for flooding more easily than other streams nearby.
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Where Carbon Run Flows
Carbon Run starts in a small lake in Zerbe Township. It flows south for a short distance, then enters a wide valley. The stream then mostly flows east-northeast for a few miles. Along the way, it enters Coal Township. Two smaller streams join Carbon Run from the left side. It also passes through two small lakes.
After this, the stream turns south-southeast for a short bit, then turns east-northeast again. Its valley becomes narrower as it reaches the town of Fairview-Ferndale. Carbon Run flows next to Pennsylvania Route 125 for a while before turning north and entering Shamokin. Further downstream, it turns northwest and finally joins Shamokin Creek.
Carbon Run meets Shamokin Creek about 21.62 miles (34.79 km) before Shamokin Creek reaches its own end.
Why the Water is Orange
The water in Carbon Run is considered "impaired," which means it's not as healthy as it should be. The main problem is metals from abandoned mine drainage (AMD). This is water that flows out of old, unused coal mines. The AMD makes the stream look orange. The two smaller streams that flow into Carbon Run are also affected by this pollution.
The water contains high levels of metals like manganese and iron. It also has a lot of aluminum. These metals come from the old mines and make it hard for many plants and animals to live in the stream.
Scientists measure the water's pH to see how acidic or basic it is. In 1999 and 2000, the pH of Carbon Run was between 6.3 and 6.8. This is close to neutral, which is good. The stream also has dissolved oxygen, which is important for aquatic life.
Land Around the Stream
The land around Carbon Run is part of Pennsylvania's Coal Region. This means there used to be a lot of coal mining here. The area has many spoil piles, which are piles of waste rock from mining. There's also a lot of land that was once used for mining but is now abandoned.
Sometimes, parts of Carbon Run flow underground into old mine pools. These are underground lakes formed in old mine tunnels. The water then comes back to the surface as a discharge. There are fifteen places where polluted water from abandoned mines flows into Carbon Run's watershed.
There are also several small lakes in the area around the stream. A large underground rock fold, called an anticlinal, ends near Carbon Run's valley.
Helping Carbon Run
The watershed of Carbon Run covers about 8.78 square miles (22.7 km2). The stream's mouth is in the Shamokin area, while its source is near Trevorton.
To help clean up the stream, two special systems called passive treatment systems have been built. These systems use natural processes to remove pollution from the water. They have helped to make the water less acidic. This has allowed some water plants and animals to start living in the stream again.
Carbon Run is more likely to flood than other streams nearby. Its floodplain, which is the flat land next to the stream that gets covered during floods, is shown on special flood maps.
History and Bridges
Carbon Run was officially named and added to a national information system in 1979.
Over the years, several bridges have been built over Carbon Run in Shamokin.
- A concrete bridge on Willow Street was built in 1935.
- A concrete culvert bridge on Spruce Street was built in 1992.
- Another concrete culvert bridge on Chestnut Street was built in 1993.
- A third concrete culvert bridge on Arch Street was built in 1994.
- Another concrete culvert bridge was built in 1995.
During the Great Depression, stone walls were built along Carbon Run to help control the water. In September 2011, a flood damaged these walls. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has given money to help fix the stream and its walls.
The Adventure Anthracite Outdoor Area is nearby. While some activities like hiking are not allowed there yet, there are plans to make the area more friendly for outdoor fun in the future.
Animals and Plants
The area around Carbon Run is meant to be a good home for coldwater fish and fish that migrate. However, there are fewer fish in Carbon Run compared to other streams of its size.
In 2011, a group released a thousand small brook trout into the stream. But by 2012, surveys couldn't find any trout. It's hard for fish to live in Carbon Run because there aren't many of the insects that fish usually eat.
Still, some fish species have been seen in the stream:
- creek chubs (many of them)
- pumpkinseeds (a good number)
- brown bullheads (only a few)
Long ago, in 1840, people said Carbon Run was "filled with trout."
Tiny water creatures called macroinvertebrates have started to come back to Carbon Run since the passive treatment systems were put in place. These creatures are a sign of a healthier stream. Scientists have found different types of insects like caddisflies, mayflies, and stoneflies in the stream and its smaller tributaries. However, right after a major mine discharge, no macroinvertebrates were found, showing the impact of the pollution.
