Catlin Brook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Catlin Brook |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | unnamed lake atop Bartlett Mountain in North Branch Township, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania 2,260 ft (690 m) |
| River mouth | North Branch Mehoopany Creek in North Branch Township, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania at Lovelton 1,050 ft (320 m) 41°31′42″N 76°12′20″W / 41.5283°N 76.2055°W |
| Length | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | North Branch Mehoopany Creek → Mehoopany Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 1.16 sq mi (3.0 km2) |
Catlin Brook is a small stream in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. It flows into North Branch Mehoopany Creek. The brook is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long. It runs through North Branch Township. The area of land that drains into the stream is 1.16 square miles (3.0 km2). Catlin Brook is known for being very small and steep. It also has some amazing waterfalls that are very hard to reach.
Contents
Where Does Catlin Brook Flow?
Catlin Brook starts in a lake on top of Bartlett Mountain. This is in North Branch Township. First, it flows north for a short distance. Then, it enters another lake. After that, the stream turns north-northeast. It starts to flow down Bartlett Mountain.
The brook then turns north again for a longer stretch. It crosses Devil's Elbow Road. Here, it reaches the bottom of the mountain. A little further downstream, Catlin Brook joins North Branch Mehoopany Creek. It meets the creek about 5.27 miles (8.48 km) before the creek's own end.
How Much Water Does It Have?
Catlin Brook is not considered a polluted stream. It usually has water for most of the year. However, it can become a very small trickle in the summer. Sometimes, it even dries up completely. For example, in the summer of 2001, scientists found it dry.
Land and Rocks Around the Brook
The land around Catlin Brook is very interesting. Near where the stream ends, the ground is about 1,050 feet (320 m) above sea level. Near its start, the land is much higher. It is about 2,260 feet (690 m) above sea level.
Catlin Brook is a very steep stream. It drops about 193.5 meters per kilometer (1,022 ft/mi) for every kilometer it flows. This makes it the steepest stream that flows into North Branch Mehoopany Creek.
Amazing Waterfalls
Catlin Brook has a group of waterfalls called the Catlin Brook Falls. A book called Hiking the Endless Mountains describes them as the "holy grail" of Pennsylvania waterfalls. This means they are very special and hard to find. Even though you can see them from Lovelton and they are only 1 mile (1.6 km) from the nearest road, they are extremely difficult to reach. The area around them is very steep and rugged.
Besides waterfalls, you can also find large rocks and cliffs along the brook. In winter, columns of beautiful blue ice can form on the waterfalls. These can last until early May. The very start of the stream is in a wet meadow. This area can become a large, shallow pond when there is a lot of water. The plateau where the stream begins feels very isolated and peaceful.
Animals and the Environment
The watershed of Catlin Brook covers an area of 1.16 square miles (3.0 km2). A watershed is the area of land where all the water drains into one stream or river. The stream is entirely within the Jenningsville map area. It joins North Branch Mehoopany Creek at Lovelton.
Catlin Brook mostly flows through forests. About 20 percent of the stream is within 100 meters (330 ft) of a road. In 2000, very few people lived in this watershed. It was one of the least populated areas around North Branch Mehoopany Creek.
Catlin Brook is a "Coldwater Fishery." This means its waters are cold enough for fish that need cool temperatures to live.
History and Fun Activities
Catlin Brook was officially named and added to a national information system on August 2, 1979.
There are no official hiking trails that lead directly to the waterfalls of Catlin Brook. Even so, the Catlin Brook Falls are featured in Jeff Mitchell's book Hiking the Endless Mountains. This is because they are very important to people who love waterfalls in Pennsylvania. The hike to the falls is about 7-mile (11 km) long. It can take 5 to 8 hours to complete. The upper parts of the stream are located in Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 57.
The area where Catlin Brook starts is also a great place for birdwatching.
