Glen Brook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glen Brook |
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Glen Brook looking downstream
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lee Mountain in Salem Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania 960 ft (290 m) |
| River mouth | East Branch Briar Creek in Briar Creek Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania 541 ft (165 m) 41°04′01″N 76°15′17″W / 41.06686°N 76.25468°W |
| Length | 4.7 mi (7.6 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | East Branch Briar Creek → Briar Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 4.96 sq mi (12.8 km2) |
Glen Brook is a small stream, also called a "tributary," that flows into the East Branch Briar Creek. It is found in Luzerne County and Columbia County, in Pennsylvania, United States. The brook is about 4.7 miles (7.6 km) long. It flows through Salem Township, Briar Creek Township, and the town of Berwick.
The area of land that drains into Glen Brook, called its watershed, is about 4.96 square miles (12.8 km2). Several dams and reservoirs have been built along the stream. Two main bridges also cross over it. The ground under the stream is made of different types of rock, like mudstone, siltstone, limestone, sandstone, and shale. Glen Brook's water is slightly alkaline, meaning it's not too acidic. It is also home to trout and is known as a special place for wild trout.
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Where Glen Brook Flows
Glen Brook starts on the south side of Lee Mountain in Salem Township, Luzerne County. It first flows east-southeast for a short distance. Then, it turns southwest and goes into a valley.
After flowing for about a mile, the brook enters Briar Creek Township, Columbia County. Here, another small stream joins it. It then turns south-southeast, passing by the Glen Brook Number Four Dam. Near the border of Columbia and Luzerne counties, the stream turns southwest. It flows into a place called Foundryville.
In Foundryville, Glen Brook makes a sharp turn east and then west. It then enters the town of Berwick. In Berwick, it turns west-northwest and then southwest, generally following the northern edge of the town. After a short distance, the stream leaves Berwick and goes back into Briar Creek Township. Soon after, it meets and joins the East Branch Briar Creek. Glen Brook joins the East Branch Briar Creek about 2.24 miles (3.60 km) before the East Branch reaches its own mouth.
Water Conditions and Quality
The amount of water flowing in Glen Brook, called its discharge, changes. It can be as low as 0.58 cubic feet per second or as high as 60.2 cubic feet per second. On average, the flow is about 4.915 cubic feet per second.
The water temperature of the stream also varies. It can be as cold as 34.88 °F (1.60 °C) or as warm as 72.14 °F (22.30 °C). The average water temperature is 55.04 °F (12.80 °C). The water's electric conductance, which shows how well it conducts electricity, ranges from 68 to 266 milli-siemens. This measurement helps scientists understand what is dissolved in the water.
The pH of Glen Brook's water is usually around 7.37, which means it is slightly alkaline. The lowest pH recorded was 7.06, and the highest was 7.79. The amount of total dissolved solids in the stream, like minerals, ranges from 35 to 145 parts per million. The average is 49 parts per million. The water also has about 16 milligrams per liter of alkalinity.
Experts looked at Glen Brook and gave it a score of 7.0 out of 10 for its overall health. It scored very well for how easy it is for fish to move around and for the amount of tree cover over the stream. However, it scored lower for the stability of its banks and the plants along its edges.
Land and Rocks Around the Stream
The land near where Glen Brook joins the East Branch Briar Creek is about 541 feet (165 m) above sea level. The source of the stream, where it begins, is almost 960 feet (290 m) above sea level.
The area near the mouth of Glen Brook has limestone rock underneath. Most of the lower part of the stream's watershed is over shale. The middle and most of the upper parts are on siltstone. The highest parts of the watershed are on mudstone and sandstone.
The soils in the Glen Brook watershed include a type called Chenango Series. This soil is good at draining water and is found in the lower parts of the stream. Many other types of soil are also found in the area.
Watershed and Structures
The watershed of Glen Brook covers an area of 4.96 square miles (12.8 km2). This watershed is the easternmost part of the larger Briar Creek watershed.
At least two dams are built on Glen Brook. They are called the Glen Brook Number One Dam and the Glen Brook Number Four Dam.
Several bridges cross over Glen Brook. One bridge, made of concrete slab, is located at the Glen Brook Reservoir. It was built in 1937 and is 21.0 feet (6.4 m) long. Another bridge, carrying State Route 1029, was built over the stream in 1989. This bridge is about 41.0 feet (12.5 m) long and is located about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Berwick.
History of Glen Brook
A reservoir was built on Glen Brook in 1890. In the early 1900s, the stream was an important source of water. It supplied water to Briar Creek Township, the towns of Berwick and Nescopeck, and the village of North Berwick. This water was provided by the Berwick Water Company. Glen Brook was one of three streams that the company used for its water supply.
Around the early 1900s, there were two man-made reservoirs on Glen Brook, located about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Berwick. A third reservoir was being built around that time.
Glen Brook got its name because it flows through a glen, which is a narrow valley.
Wildlife and Fish
Trout naturally reproduce in Glen Brook. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission considers Glen Brook to be "Class A Wild Trout Waters." This means it's a very important place for both brook trout and brown trout to live and reproduce in the wild.
