Coal Creek (Susquehanna River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coal Creek |
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Coal Creek looking downstream in its lower reaches
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | valley near the northern border of Plymouth Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania between 1,400 and 1,420 feet (430 and 430 m) |
| River mouth | Susquehanna River in Plymouth, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania 515 ft (157 m) 41°13′45″N 75°57′23″W / 41.2293°N 75.9564°W |
| Length | 2.9 mi (4.7 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 1.46 sq mi (3.8 km2) |
Coal Creek is a small tributary (a stream that flows into a larger river) of the Susquehanna River. It is located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. This creek is about 2.9 miles (4.7 km) long. It flows through Plymouth Township and the town of Plymouth.
The area of land that drains into Coal Creek, called its watershed, is about 1.46 square miles (3.8 km2). A reservoir named Spring Brook Reservoir Number Four is found on the creek. The ground around the creek has different types of soil and rocks. These include glacial till, river deposits, and bedrock made of sandstone and shale.
On July 3, 2011, Coal Creek experienced a big flood. This happened when 5 inches (13 cm) of rain fell in less than 90 minutes. The flood caused about $5 million in damage. Coal Creek is known as a good place for "Coldwater Fishery" and "Migratory Fishery." This means it supports fish that like cold water and fish that travel.
Contents
Where Coal Creek Flows
Coal Creek starts in a valley near the northern edge of Plymouth Township. It flows mostly south for about a mile. Along this path, it goes through Spring Brook Reservoir Number Four.
After the reservoir, the creek continues south for a short distance. Then it turns to flow southeast. As it moves, its valley becomes less deep. It then enters the town of Plymouth.
Further downstream, the creek crosses a major road, US Route 11. About 3,000 feet before it ends, it leaves Plymouth and re-enters Plymouth Township. A short distance later, Coal Creek joins the Susquehanna River. It meets the Susquehanna River about 184.96 miles (297.66 km) upstream from the Susquehanna's mouth.
Water Levels and Floods
In the past, around 1916, Coal Creek was known for having clear water. This was true until it reached the areas where coal mines were located. Downstream from these mines, a lot of mine water was pumped into the creek.
Today, the creek is often dry. However, it can have sudden, powerful floods. These floods happen quickly and carry a lot of water. The flood in 2011 was an example of this.
Land and Rocks Around the Creek
The land near where Coal Creek joins the Susquehanna River is about 515 feet (157 m) above sea level. Near its beginning, the creek is much higher, between 1,400 and 1,420 feet (430 and 430 m) above sea level. Since it drops over 800 feet (240 m) in less than three miles, Coal Creek is considered a "rapid stream." This means its water flows very fast.
After the big flood in 2011, about 1,500 feet (460 m) of Coal Creek in neighborhoods were protected. Walls made of riprap (loose stones) and concrete were built. The creek is located in the Wyoming Valley. Its starting point is in the mountains of Plymouth Township.
The ground around Coal Creek has different types of materials. Much of it has a type of soil left by glaciers, called Wisconsinan Till. There is also bedrock (solid rock beneath the soil) made of sandstone and shale. Near the lower parts of the creek, you can find alluvium (deposits from rivers), old coal waste piles, and areas where coal was once mined from the surface.
The Coal Creek Watershed
The watershed of Coal Creek is the entire area of land where water drains into the creek. This area covers about 1.46 square miles (3.8 km2). The mouth of the creek is in the Wilkes-Barre West area, according to the United States Geological Survey. However, its source is in the Kingston area.
The watershed of Coal Creek is very narrow near its end. But it becomes much wider in its middle and upper parts. Even so, it is still much longer than it is wide.
A reservoir called Spring Brook Reservoir Number Four is on Coal Creek. It is about 1 mile (1.6 km) downstream from where the creek starts. This reservoir is about 1,280 feet (390 m) above sea level. It has a dam and can hold 6,000,000 gallons of water.
In the early 1900s, there were other reservoirs on the creek. Reservoir Number Three, about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) further downstream, held 3,000,000 gallons. Reservoir Number Two, even further down, held 1,500,000 gallons.
Some of Coal Creek's water is directed around a levee (a raised bank to prevent flooding). Some of the creek's flow also goes through storm sewers.
History of Coal Creek
Coal Creek has had other names in the past, like Mill Creek, Smith's Creek, and Ransom Creek.
Long ago, coal was found under the ground in Plymouth. These coal beds were visible along Coal Creek, about a mile from the Susquehanna River. Around 1806, a man named Abijah Smith came to Plymouth because of this coal. He and his partner, Lewis Hepburn, bought land near the creek to mine and sell coal.
In 1807, Abijah Smith loaded about fifty tons of coal onto a boat and shipped it downriver to Columbia, Pennsylvania. This was an early example of shipping coal from the area. Over the years, different people owned and leased the coal mines along Coal Creek.
In 1805, another person named Hezekiah Roberts, Sr. owned land on the west side of Coal Creek. This land was also involved in coal mining by various families, including the Smiths and Reynolds, throughout the 1800s.
Coal Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its special ID number is 1172052.
The big flood on July 3, 2011, was a major event for Coal Creek. More than 5 inches (13 cm) of rain fell in just 90 minutes. This caused "indescribable damage" to the area. After the flood, the towns of Plymouth and Plymouth Township worked to clear debris and open roads. However, the damage was only in a small area, so it did not qualify for federal aid. This flood was considered a "1000-year flood," meaning it's an event that is very rare. Interestingly, a nearby creek, Wadham Creek, did not even overflow during this time.
In 2011, projects were planned to help the Coal Creek watershed recover from the flood. The flood also damaged Coal Street nearby and uncovered a very old 36-inch water main (a large pipe for water). The total cost of damage from the 2011 flood was over $5,000,000. Repairing Coal Creek itself cost about $1,342,732.
Wildlife
Coal Creek is officially recognized as a Coldwater Fishery. This means its waters are cold enough to support fish species that need cooler temperatures. It is also a Migratory Fishery, which means it is important for fish that travel between different bodies of water, like salmon or trout.
