Crooked Run (Catawissa Creek tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crooked Run |
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Crooked Run looking upstream
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Catawissa Mountain in North Union Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania 1,720 ft (520 m) |
| River mouth | Catawissa Creek in North Union Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania 771 ft (235 m) 40°55′05″N 76°14′34″W / 40.91815°N 76.24280°W |
| Length | 4.4 mi (7.1 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Catawissa Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 4.24 sq mi (11.0 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Crooked Run is a small stream, or 'tributary,' that flows into Catawissa Creek. You can find it in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA. It's about 4.4 miles (7.1 km) long and runs through North Union Township. The area of land that drains into it, called its 'watershed,' is about 4.24 square miles (10.98 km²). Crooked Run is known for being a great place for coldwater fish, especially wild trout. However, it can be affected by air pollution.
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Where Crooked Run Flows
Crooked Run starts high up on Catawissa Mountain in North Union Township. It flows generally east, then northeast, moving off the mountain. The stream then turns north, crossing Raricks Road. After that, it flows west and then north again, running next to Bunker Hill Road for a short distance. Finally, Crooked Run meets Catawissa Creek not far from the border of Schuylkill County and Columbia County.
Crooked Run joins Catawissa Creek about 20.20 miles (32.5 km) before Catawissa Creek reaches its own end.
Smaller Streams Joining Crooked Run
Crooked Run has one small stream that flows into it, but this stream doesn't have a name.
Water Quality of Crooked Run
The upper parts of Crooked Run are sometimes affected by air pollution, which can change the water's pH level. The pH tells us how acidic or basic the water is. This stream is naturally a bit acidic.
The pH of the water in Crooked Run usually ranges from 5.8 to 6.6. The water's 'alkalinity,' which helps it resist changes in pH, is quite low. The water is also considered 'soft,' meaning it doesn't have many dissolved minerals.
Scientists have measured the water temperature in Crooked Run. On June 25, 1997, the water was about 15.8°C (60.4°F) in one spot and 14.3°C (57.7°F) in another. The 'specific conductivity' of the water, which shows how well it conducts electricity, was also measured. This helps scientists understand what minerals are dissolved in the water.
Land and Rocks Around the Stream
The land around the mouth of Crooked Run is about 771 feet (235 meters) above sea level. Where the stream starts, it's much higher, over 1720 feet (524 meters) above sea level.
The rocks in the area are mainly from two formations: the Pocono Formation and the Mauch Chunk Formation. These rocks formed a very long time ago, during the Mississippian Period. The soil around the stream is mostly Leck Kill soil in the lower areas and Hazleton soil higher up.
Crooked Run is a narrow stream, about 2.9 meters (9.5 feet) wide. It flows downhill quite steeply, dropping about 39.3 meters for every kilometer it travels.
Crooked Run's Watershed
The watershed of Crooked Run covers about 4.24 square miles (10.98 km²). Most of this area is in North Union Township. Some parts are also in Union Township and a small bit in Roaring Creek Township, Columbia County.
The lower part of the stream flows through farmland. Other parts of the watershed are covered by forests. Crooked Run is part of the larger Lower North Branch Susquehanna drainage basin.
A good portion of Crooked Run's length is close to roads. About 22% of the stream is within 100 meters (328 feet) of a road. In 1990, about 22 people lived in each square kilometer of the watershed.
Animals in Crooked Run
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection says Crooked Run is a "High-Quality Coldwater Fishery." This means its cold, clean water is perfect for certain fish. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission also calls it "Class A Wild Trout Waters," from its very beginning to where it joins Catawissa Creek. This means it's a great place for wild trout to live and reproduce naturally.
Brook trout are found in Crooked Run. In a survey done in 1997, scientists found a lot of brook trout in the stream. In fact, it had the most wild trout of any stream flowing into Catawissa Creek that was surveyed. Most of these trout were smaller, less than 175 millimeters long.
Scientists counted about 2,315 brook trout per kilometer of the stream. Most of them were young trout. This shows that Crooked Run is a very healthy home for these fish.
Other types of trout, like brown trout, rainbow trout, and tiger trout, were also seen in the stream. However, many of these might have come from a nearby fish hatchery.
A report from 1997 said that Crooked Run was an excellent place for fishing.
