Clarks Creek (Lackawanna River tributary) facts for kids

Clarks Creek is a small stream in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. It is also known as UNT 28600 of the Lackawanna River. This creek flows into the Lackawanna River. It is about 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long. The creek flows through Clinton Township.

The area of land that drains into Clarks Creek, called its watershed, is about 3.37 square miles (8.7 km²). The creek has two small streams that flow into it, but they don't have official names. Clarks Creek is considered a healthy stream. Its water is a little bit acidic. It also has some natural minerals like magnesium and calcium.

Clarks Creek: Where It Flows

Clarks Creek starts in a valley near Ravinikar Road in Clinton Township. It flows mostly southwest at first. Then it turns more south and west. It leaves the valley as it flows.

As it moves along, the creek gets water from two unnamed streams. One joins from the left side. The other joins from the right side near Forest City Station. After that, Clarks Creek flows south and then southwest. It soon meets the Lackawanna River. This meeting point is about 34.8 miles (56.0 km) upstream from where the Lackawanna River ends.

Clarks Creek's Unnamed Streams

Clarks Creek does not have any named smaller streams flowing into it. However, it does have two unnamed ones. The first one is about 0.9 miles (1.4 km) long. The second one is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long.

In the past, one of these smaller streams was called Trout Creek. This was in the early 1900s.

Water Quality of Clarks Creek

No one takes water from Clarks Creek for public drinking water. Also, no factories or businesses are allowed to release wastewater into the creek. This helps keep the water clean. The creek is not listed as a polluted stream.

In 2002, scientists checked the water in Clarks Creek. The water temperature was 7.8 °C (46.0 °F). The water's pH was 6.7, which means it was slightly acidic. The water had a small amount of alkalinity, which helps balance the acidity.

Scientists also found different minerals and elements in the water. These included magnesium, calcium, and iron. They also found very small amounts of other metals like chromium, manganese, and aluminum. In the early 1900s, Clarks Creek was known to be free of pollution from coal mines.

Land and Rocks Around Clarks Creek

The land around Clarks Creek changes in height. Near where it joins the Lackawanna River, the elevation is about 1,407 feet (429 m) above sea level. Where the creek starts, it is much higher, between 1,780 and 1,800 feet (540 and 550 m) above sea level. This means the creek flows downhill quite a bit.

Clarks Creek is a type of stream called a freestone stream. This means its water flows over rocks and natural ground, not through areas affected by mining. The creek is located in the Lackawanna Valley. Long ago, the creek's path was changed a little bit. This made it flow around a hill before joining the Lackawanna River.

The ground around Clarks Creek is mostly made of till. This is a type of soil left behind by glaciers. Near the creek's mouth, there are also areas of fill (soil added by people) and land changed by surface mining. These mining areas have long, shallow pits and piles of waste rock. Some areas also have natural bedrock made of sandstone and shale.

Clarks Creek's Watershed and Land Use

The watershed of Clarks Creek covers an area of 3.37 square miles (8.7 km²). There are about 4.59 miles (7.39 km) of streams within this watershed. Clarks Creek is a "second-order" stream. This means it is formed by two smaller streams joining together.

Most of the land in the Clarks Creek watershed is covered by forests. However, some areas have homes and roads, especially closer to where the creek ends.

History of Clarks Creek

Clarks Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System in 1990. It is also known by its other name, "UNT 28600 of the Lackawanna River."

In the past, the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad crossed over Clarks Creek. There was also coal mining in the area. The mines were very close to the surface, which meant they could easily flood. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission studied Clarks Creek in 1997. They also did another study in 2002.

Clarks Creek used to be known as a "Coldwater Fishery" and a "Migratory Fishery." This means it was a good place for fish that like cold water and for fish that travel. Now, it is officially called "Exceptional Value waters" and a "Migratory Fishery." This means it is a very important and healthy stream.

Animals and Plants in Clarks Creek

Clarks Creek is a special place for wildlife. It is designated as "Exceptional Value waters" and a "Migratory Fishery." This means it is very important for fish and other creatures. Wild trout live and reproduce naturally in the creek from its start to its end.

In the 1997 study, scientists found seven different kinds of fish in the creek. These included brook trout and brown trout. Brook trout were much more common. Clarks Creek is one of the few streams in the Lackawanna Valley where native trout still live. Other fish found were eastern blacknose dace, creek chub, longnose dace, sunfish, and white sucker.

Clarks Creek also has many different kinds of macroinvertebrates. These are small creatures without backbones, like insects and worms, that live in the water. Many of these creatures are sensitive to pollution. This shows that the creek's water is clean. For example, scientists found many mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies. These are good signs of a healthy stream.

Scientists also checked the habitat quality of the creek. They found that Clarks Creek has a very good habitat for aquatic life. This includes plenty of places for fish to hide and good water flow.