Coles Creek (Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coles Creek |
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The lower reaches of Coles Creek
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | northern Sugarloaf Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania |
| River mouth | Fishing Creek in southern Sugarloaf Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania |
| Length | 6.7 mi (10.8 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Coles Creek → Fishing Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 11.6 sq mi (30 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Coles Creek is a small stream in Columbia County, Pennsylvania and Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It flows into Fishing Creek. Coles Creek is about 6.0 miles (9.7 km) long. It is the first stream that joins Fishing Creek after its two main branches, East Branch Fishing Creek and West Branch Fishing Creek, come together. The creek's watershed, which is the area of land that drains into it, also touches Luzerne County.
The entire area that drains into Coles Creek is about 11.6 square miles. There are 15.08 miles (24.27 km) of streams within this area. Most of the land around the creek sits on a type of rock called the Catskill Formation. The water temperature in Coles Creek can change a lot, from almost freezing to nearly 20 °C (68 °F). The creek is named after a person named Ezekiel Cole.
Contents
Where Does Coles Creek Flow?
Coles Creek starts high up on Central Mountain in southeastern Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. From there, it flows south into Sugarloaf Township, Columbia County. This area is close to where Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan counties meet.
As the creek moves south, it leaves Central Mountain behind. It then reaches Pennsylvania Route 118. Here, another small stream called Chimneystack Run joins Coles Creek. Chimneystack Run also starts on Central Mountain. After this, Coles Creek turns southwest and flows alongside Pennsylvania Route 487.
More small streams, like Ashelman Run and Fallow Hollow, flow into Coles Creek. The creek then passes through a small community called Tri Mills. Further downstream, Hess Hollow joins the creek. Coles Creek continues southwest until it reaches the community of Coles Creek. Soon after, it meets and flows into Fishing Creek.
How Clean is the Water?
The water in Coles Creek changes temperature with the seasons. Between May 2010 and July 2011, its temperature ranged from just below freezing to almost 20 °C (68 °F). It was coldest in winter months like January, February, and March. It got warmer, nearing 20 °C (68 °F), in August.
Oxygen Levels in the Water
The amount of dissolved oxygen in Coles Creek is important for fish and other water creatures. This is the oxygen that is mixed into the water. From May 2010 to July 2011, the dissolved oxygen levels varied. They were sometimes just under 7 milligrams per liter and sometimes over 17 milligrams per liter. High levels, like over 17 milligrams per liter in February 2011, are very good. This was one of the highest levels recorded in the upper Fishing Creek area.
Water Acidity (pH)
The pH level tells us how acidic or basic the water is. A pH of 7 is neutral. Lower numbers are more acidic, and higher numbers are more basic. Coles Creek's pH is usually between 6.5 and 7.5. Sometimes it can be a little lower, just above 6.0. The creek does not often become very acidic, which is good for the plants and animals living there.
How Much Water Flows?
The amount of water flowing in Coles Creek, called its discharge, is usually less than two cubic meters per second. However, it can sometimes be higher, between two and four cubic meters per second. In rare cases, it can even reach seven to eight cubic meters per second. When more water flows, the pH of the creek tends to be a bit lower.
Aluminum in the Water
The amount of dissolved aluminum in Coles Creek is usually low, between 0 and 20 micrograms per liter. Sometimes it can be a bit higher, between 20 and 40 micrograms per liter. In one instance, it was measured at about 70 micrograms per liter. This maximum level of aluminum is higher than in most other places in the upper Fishing Creek watershed.
What is the Land Like?
Most of the land around Coles Creek sits on a type of rock called the Catskill Formation. This rock is made of sandstone and siltstone. It formed a very long time ago during the Devonian period. The very beginning of the creek, its headwaters, are on a different rock type called the Huntley Mountain Formation. This formation also has sandstone and siltstone. It formed during the Mississippian and Devonian periods.
Where Coles Creek meets Fishing Creek, there is a special landform called a moraine. This moraine causes the area to have cone-shaped hills.
The Coles Creek Area
The entire area that drains into Coles Creek covers 11.6 square miles. There are 15.08 miles (24.27 km) of streams within this area. Most of the land along the creek is covered by forests or homes. There are also some smaller areas used for farming. A very small part of the lower creek area, less than 0.09 square miles, has industrial buildings.
Important roads in the Coles Creek area include Pennsylvania Route 118 and Pennsylvania Route 487. The community of Coles Creek is located right where the creek joins Fishing Creek.
History of Coles Creek
Coles Creek was probably named between 1800 and 1810. It was named after Ezekiel Cole, who owned a mill in the area at that time.
In 2012, people worked to improve the fish habitat in the upper parts of Coles Creek. They installed special log structures called log cross vanes to help the fish.
Animals and Plants in the Creek
The variety of living things, or biodiversity, in Coles Creek is similar to that found in parts of Fishing Creek itself.
In 2011, experts from Point Park University and the Fishing Creek Sportsmans' Association studied the quality of the habitat for animals in the upper Fishing Creek area. They gave the lower parts of Coles Creek a score of 166 to 200. This high score means the creek provides an excellent home for many creatures.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has given Coles Creek a special title: Class A Wild Trout Waters. This means it's a great place for wild trout. From its start down to where Marsh Run joins it, the creek is home to both wild brook trout and wild brown trout. All the smaller streams that flow into Coles Creek also support these wild trout.
You can find nearly 200 tiny water insects and other small creatures, called aquatic macroinvertebrates, living in every square meter of Coles Creek. These creatures are a sign of a healthy stream.
Images for kids
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The lower reaches of Coles Creek
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Coles Creek near Fallow Hollow
