Hull Creek (Lackawanna River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hull Creek |
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| Other name(s) | Hulls Creek |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | pond in Scott Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania between 1,560 and 1,580 feet (475.5 and 481.6 m) |
| River mouth | Lackawanna River in Dickson City, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania 755 ft (230 m) 41°28′13″N 75°36′26″W / 41.47037°N 75.60713°W |
| Length | 4.1 mi (6.6 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Lackawanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 3.22 sq mi (8.3 km2) |
Hull Creek, also called Hulls Creek, is a small river that flows into the Lackawanna River in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It is about 4.1 miles (6.6 km) long. The creek flows through Scott Township, Blakely, and Dickson City. The area of land that drains into the creek, called its watershed, is 3.22 square miles (8.3 km2).
Hull Creek is known for its beautiful waterfalls, called the Blakely Falls. These falls are found in a valley shaped by glaciers long ago. The creek is a perennial stream, meaning it flows all year. However, some of its water can disappear into underground mines. The creek is a special place for fish and other water creatures. It is home to many tiny animals like mayflies, stoneflies, and caddis flies.
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Where Does Hull Creek Flow?
Hull Creek starts in a pond in Scott Township. It flows mostly south for a while. Then, it turns southeast and goes through a water gap next to Pennsylvania Route 347. This is where it enters the town of Blakely.
After flowing through Blakely, the creek crosses a highway. It then enters Dickson City. Finally, Hull Creek joins the Lackawanna River. The spot where it meets the Lackawanna River is about 17.56 miles (28.26 km) upstream from the Lackawanna's own mouth.
Are There Other Streams Joining Hull Creek?
Hull Creek does not have any named smaller streams that flow into it. However, it does have one unnamed stream. This small stream joins Hull Creek close to where Hull Creek begins.
How Healthy is Hull Creek's Water?
Hull Creek is considered to be a water body that needs improvement. This is because its natural environment has been changed. One big reason is that parts of the creek were straightened and changed by humans. This is called channelization. Also, water running off Pennsylvania Route 347 and nearby homes can affect the water quality in Blakely.
The creek is a perennial stream, so it always has water. However, some of its water sinks into old underground mines.
What Do Water Tests Show?
A study in 2013 checked the water quality of Hull Creek. Here are some things they found:
- Electrical Conductivity: This measures how well water conducts electricity. It ranged from 179.50 to 679.00 micro-Siemens per centimeter.
- pH Level: This tells us if the water is acidic or alkaline. Hull Creek was slightly alkaline, with a pH between 6.82 and 8.07.
- Dissolved Oxygen: This is the amount of oxygen in the water that fish and other creatures need to breathe. Levels ranged from 30.80 to 249.02 percent.
- Salinity: This is the amount of salt in the water. It ranged from 70.95 to 310.00 parts per million. All these salt levels were good for the creek.
How Much Water Flows in Hull Creek?
The amount of water flowing in Hull Creek can change a lot. At its mouth, there is a 10 percent chance that the water flow could reach 580 cubic feet per second in a year. There is a 1 percent chance it could reach 1690 cubic feet per second.
Even further upstream, at the border of Scott Township and Blakely, there is a 1 percent chance the flow could reach 780 cubic feet per second.
The Land Around Hull Creek
The land around Hull Creek changes quite a bit. The creek's mouth is about 755 feet (230 m) above sea level. Its source is much higher, between 1,560 and 1,580 feet (480 and 480 m) above sea level.
Blakely Falls: A Natural Wonder
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area is the Blakely Falls, located on Hull Creek. These falls are in a "picturesque" gorge. This gorge was carved out of sandstone by water after the last ice age. After the waterfalls, the creek flows very steeply for about 0.3 miles (0.48 km). Here, you can see rock ledges and deep plunge pools.
How Humans Have Changed the Creek
In 1975, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources worked on about 1 mile (1.6 km) of Hull Creek in Blakely. This work helped a lot to reduce flooding. Projects have also been done to make the creek banks stronger in Blakely.
The creek is also affected by old mining operations downstream of a branch of US Route 6. However, upstream of that highway, the creek is mostly untouched. In its lower parts, the creek flows through a concrete channel.
Geology of the Creek Area
Hull Creek flows through a deep water gap. This gap was carved through hard rock. The bottom of this gap has a thick layer of glacial till, which is rock and soil left behind by glaciers. The creek also flows through a narrow gorge in the Lackawanna Valley. This gorge is cut directly into solid rock.
Long ago, the valley where Hull Creek flows was buried by glaciers. Scientists say it's a great example of a valley hidden by glacial deposits.
Water Temperature
A 2013 study measured the water temperature of Hull Creek. It ranged from 2.17 to 21.64 °C (35.91 to 70.95 °F). The average temperature was 11.34 °C (52.41 °F).
The Hull Creek Watershed
The watershed of Hull Creek covers an area of 3.22 square miles (8.3 km2). Most of this area is in Scott Township and Blakely. Smaller parts are in Dickson City and Archbald.
Hull Creek is a second-order stream. This means it's formed by two smaller streams joining together. The land around the creek is quite narrow. In the upper parts of the watershed, there are not many homes, and they are usually set back from the creek.
In Blakely, Hull Creek flows very close to Pennsylvania Route 347 and crosses it several times. There are also some wetland areas in the watershed, which are important for wildlife. Upstream of Blakely, the watershed has forests and pastures on rolling hills.
Flooding Concerns
Hull Creek can cause flooding in Scott Township. Blakely has also had flooding problems in the past. Even with the flood control project built in 1975, large floods in Scott Township can still cause water to cover buildings near the creek.
History of Hull Creek
Hull Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on October 1, 1992.
There have been several big floods on Hull Creek. Major floods happened in July 1920 and May 1942. The biggest flood recorded was on May 21, 1947.
In the early 2000s, a plan for the Lackawanna River watershed suggested that Scott Township, Blakely, and Dickson City should protect Hull Creek in their town planning.
Wildlife in Hull Creek
The area around Hull Creek is a special place for fish. It is called a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's a good home for fish that like cold water, and also for fish that travel through the creek.
In southern Scott Township, Hull Creek is surrounded by native trees and smaller plants. However, further downstream in Blakely, there are almost no plants along the creek banks. Beyond this area, the creek's banks again have native trees and plants.
Tiny Creatures of the Creek
Scientists study tiny animals without backbones, called macroinvertebrates, to see how healthy a creek is. In a 2013 study, they found many different types of macroinvertebrates in Hull Creek. These included:
The study gave Hull Creek a habitat assessment score of 159 out of 200. This score means the creek's habitat is in the "optimal" zone, which is very good!
