Furnace Run (Catawissa Creek tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Furnace Run |
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Catawissa Creek at the mouth of Furnace Run. The mouth is near the center of the picture.
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Catawissa Mountain in eastern Catawissa Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania 1,440 to 1,460 feet (440 to 450 m) |
| River mouth | Catawissa Creek in Main Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania 551 ft (168 m) 40°57′49″N 76°22′24″W / 40.96358°N 76.37335°W |
| Length | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Catawissa Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 2.82 sq mi (7.3 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Furnace Run is a small stream located in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It's a "tributary," which means it flows into a larger stream called Catawissa Creek. This stream is about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long. It flows through two areas: Catawissa Township and Main Township.
Furnace Run is the last stream to join Catawissa Creek before Catawissa Creek itself reaches its end. The area of land that drains water into Furnace Run, called its "watershed," is about 2.82 square miles (7.3 square kilometers). The stream is known for its cool, clean water, making it a great home for fish. It's even considered a special "Class A Wild Trout Waters" area.
Contents
Journey of Furnace Run
Furnace Run begins its journey high up on Catawissa Mountain. This is in the eastern part of Catawissa Township. The stream then flows towards the northeast, moving through a valley.
After flowing for about a thousand feet, it enters Main Township. It continues northeast for a short distance. Then, it makes a turn and starts flowing towards the east-southeast.
A little further downstream, Furnace Run gets water from a smaller, unnamed stream. After this, it turns again, flowing east-northeast and crossing a road. Finally, after flowing for more than a mile, Furnace Run meets and joins Catawissa Creek. This meeting point is about 7.37 miles (11.86 kilometers) upstream from where Catawissa Creek ends.
Streams Joining Furnace Run
Furnace Run has one small stream that flows into it. This stream doesn't have a common name, but it's officially known as "Trib 27545 to Furnace Run."
Nature Around the Stream
The land around Furnace Run has interesting features, including its height above sea level, the types of rocks, and the soil.
Height and Elevation
Near where Furnace Run joins Catawissa Creek, the land is about 551 feet (168 meters) above sea level. Where the stream starts, high on Catawissa Mountain, the elevation is much higher. It's between 1440 feet (439 meters) and 1460 feet (445 meters) above sea level.
Rocks and Soil
The main type of rock found in the area that drains into Furnace Run is called the Pocono Formation. However, closer to where the stream ends, you can find another rock type called the Mauch Chunk Formation. The ground itself is mostly made up of two kinds of soil: Hazleton soil and Leck Kill soil.
Water Quality
The water in Furnace Run is very clean. Scientists measure something called "alkalinity" to check water quality. In Furnace Run, the total alkalinity is 2 milligrams per liter. This low number shows that the water is very pure and healthy for the creatures living in it.
Furnace Run's Watershed
The "watershed" of Furnace Run is the entire area of land where all the rain and snowmelt eventually drain into the stream. This watershed covers an area of about 2.82 square miles (7.3 square kilometers).
The higher parts of the watershed are located within a protected area called the Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 58. Most of the watershed is in the southwestern part of Main Township. However, a smaller part of it extends into the southeastern section of Catawissa Township.
A Look Back in Time
Furnace Run has an interesting history, especially how it got its name.
The Old Furnace
In 1815, a special factory called a furnace was built near Furnace Run. This furnace, known as the Catawissa Furnace, was built by a person named John Hauck. It was located near the town of Mainville.
How the Stream Got Its Name
The stream was named Furnace Run in the middle of the 1800s. It got its name because of an iron furnace that was located nearby. These furnaces were used to make iron.
There was even a local area or school district in the 1800s called the Furnace District. This district was located in Cleveland Township and was also named after Furnace Run.
Amazing Animals of Furnace Run
Furnace Run is a very important place for wildlife, especially fish.
A Home for Fish
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has officially classified Furnace Run as a "high-quality coldwater fishery." This means the water is very cold and clean, which is perfect for certain types of fish.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission considers the entire stream, from where it starts to where it ends, to be "Class A Wild Trout Waters." This is a special designation for streams that have healthy populations of wild trout that reproduce naturally.
Brook Trout Life Cycle
One of the most important fish living in Furnace Run is the Brook trout. These beautiful fish not only live in the stream but also reproduce naturally there. This means they lay their eggs and new baby trout hatch and grow up in the stream without any help from humans. This shows how healthy and clean the environment of Furnace Run truly is.
