Hazle Creek facts for kids
Hazle Creek is a small river, also called a stream, in Pennsylvania. It flows into bigger rivers like the Lehigh and Delaware River. Hazle Creek starts in southern Luzerne County and flows through Carbon County. It begins near the city of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, in an area that was once a large swamp.
Where Hazle Creek Starts
Hazle Creek begins in the eastern parts of Hazleton. This city is lower than the mountains around it. Long ago, this whole area was known as the "Great Swamp." It was a heavily forested area with many swampy pine forests. The water that forms Hazle Creek comes from springs high up in the land. These springs are part of the Lehigh River's water collection area.
How Hazle Creek Flows
Hazle Creek flows from its start near Hazleton down to where it joins other streams near Weatherly. Much of the water that used to flow on the surface in the Hazleton area has changed. This is because of old underground mining. Now, surface water often sinks into the ground. It goes into the old mine tunnels through abandoned strip mines.
Hazle Creek's History
Long ago, Native Americans used a trail called the "Warriors' Path" near Hazle Creek. Later, early settlers built a rough wagon road here. This road, called the Lausanne-Nescopeck Road, connected settlements. It helped people travel between places like Bethlehem and areas in Luzerne County.
The city of Hazleton is built across a natural opening in the mountains. This opening connects the waters that flow to the Lehigh River with those that flow to the Susquehanna River. Hazle Creek flows generally south-southeast for about 6 miles (about 9.6 km). Then, it joins another stream called Beaver Creek. When these two streams meet, they form Black Creek. Black Creek is a major stream in this region, flowing along the north side of the Broad Mountain. Roads for cars and railways follow the banks of Hazle Creek, Beaver Creek, and Black Creek.
