Gardner Creek (Susquehanna River tributary) facts for kids

Gardner Creek (also known as Gardiners Creek or Gardners Creek) is a stream that flows into the Susquehanna River in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. A stream that flows into a larger river is called a tributary.

Gardner Creek is about 9.1 miles (14.6 km) long. It flows through Newton Township and Ransom Township. The area of land that drains into the creek, called its watershed, is 18.1 square miles (46.9 km2).

Even though it can flood, the creek is considered healthy. It is a great place for fish, especially trout, which are born there naturally.

Where Gardner Creek Flows

Gardner Creek starts in a valley near Newton Ransom Boulevard in Newton Township. It flows southwest for a short distance. Then, it enters a place called Corby Swamp.

After leaving the swamp, the creek flows west-southwest. It then turns south and goes into a deeper valley. The creek continues southwest, and other small streams join it.

As it flows, the valley around the creek changes. Sometimes it's narrow and shallow, and other times it's wide and deep. It flows past a mountain called Pinnacle Rock. More small streams join the creek along its path.

Finally, Gardner Creek reaches the Susquehanna River. This meeting point is called its mouth. The creek joins the Susquehanna River about 202.86 miles (326.47 km) upstream from where the Susquehanna River ends.

Water Health

Gardner Creek is considered a healthy stream. This means its water quality is good. It is not listed as an "impaired stream," which would mean it has pollution problems.

Sometimes, Newton Township has asked for permission to let stormwater flow into the creek. Stormwater is rain or melted snow that runs off streets and other surfaces.

The amount of water flowing in Gardner Creek can change a lot. During heavy rains, the water flow can become very high. For example, there's a 10 percent chance that the water flow at the creek's mouth could reach 2350 cubic feet per second in a year. This means a lot of water moves very quickly!

Land and Rocks Around the Creek

The land around Gardner Creek changes as you move along its path. Near where the creek joins the Susquehanna River, the land is about 545 feet (166 m) above sea level. Where the creek starts, it's much higher, between 1300 and 1320 feet (396 and 402 m) above sea level.

The ground in the valley where the creek flows is mostly made of alluvium. This is a type of soil left behind by flowing water. In some lower parts, there are also "alluvial terraces," which are flat areas formed by old floodwaters.

The hills and areas around the valley have different types of ground. There's a kind of soil left by glaciers called Wisconsinan Till. There are also areas of solid bedrock, which can include coal, sandstone, and shale. Other interesting features in the area include wetlands (swampy areas) and peat (decayed plant matter).

Gardner Creek's Watershed

The watershed of Gardner Creek covers an area of 18.1 square miles (46.9 km2). A watershed is all the land where water drains into a particular river or stream.

The mouth of Gardner Creek is in an area mapped by the United States Geological Survey called "Ransom." The source of the creek is in a different mapped area called "Scranton."

Gardner Creek is the main cause of flooding in Ransom Township. Normally, the creek is calm. But during heavy rains, it can turn into a fast and powerful "raging torrent."

Gardner Creek's watershed is one of three main watersheds in Lackawanna County. All of these watersheds eventually drain into the Chesapeake Bay.

History of the Creek

Gardner Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. It is also known by the names Gardiners Creek and Gardners Creek.

People started settling near the mouth of Gardner Creek a long time ago, in 1769. A ferry, which is like a boat that carries people and goods across a river, was set up downstream from the creek's mouth in 1795. It was called the Gardner Ferry.

In the early 1800s, people built mills along the creek. In 1821, the first sawmill in Newton Township was built on Gardner Creek. A sawmill cuts logs into lumber. In 1825, the first gristmill in Ransom Township was built on the creek. A gristmill grinds grain into flour.

Long ago, there was an aqueduct that carried a canal over Gardner Creek. An aqueduct is like a bridge that carries water. This aqueduct was 34 feet (10 m) long.

Many bridges have been built over Gardner Creek over the years. The first modern bridge was built in 1932. Other bridges were built in 1951, 1958, 1970, 1988, and 1999. These bridges help roads cross over the creek safely.

In 1972, a big storm called Tropical Storm Agnes caused major flooding in Gardner Creek. This flood also caused the creek banks to wear away, which is called streambank erosion. Basements and first floors of homes near the creek were flooded. More flooding in 1976 caused even more erosion. Because of this, Ransom Township received money to help fix the creek's banks.

Creek Life: Biology

The area that drains into Gardner Creek is special for fish. It is called a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's a good place for fish that like cold water and for fish that travel to different places to lay their eggs.

Wild trout naturally live and reproduce in Gardner Creek. This means they are born there without human help. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission considers it approved trout waters. Sometimes, other types of trout, like brown trout and rainbow trout, have also been added to the creek by people.