Idlewild Creek facts for kids

Idlewild Creek is a small stream, or tributary, that flows into the East Branch Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It's about 5.1 miles (8.2 km) (8.2 kilometres (5.1 mi)) long and runs through Clifford Township. The area of land that drains into the creek, called its watershed, covers about 8.14 square miles (21.1 km²) (21.1 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi)).

A lake named Lake Idlewild, which is about 68.4 acres (27.7 ha) (27.7 hectares (68 acres)) big, is also found in the creek's watershed. The creek is considered healthy and clean, and wild trout naturally live and reproduce in its waters.

Where Does Idlewild Creek Flow?

Idlewild Creek starts its journey at the bottom of a mountain, near the northern edge of Clifford Township. It first flows southwest for a short distance. Then, it enters a wetland (an area of land covered by water, like a swamp) and turns west.

After leaving the wetland, the creek turns southwest again for a short while. It then flows into Lake Idlewild. While in the lake, it gets water from a small, unnamed stream joining it from the right side.

From the southern end of Lake Idlewild, the creek flows south for a bit before turning southeast. It then enters another wetland, where it receives water from another unnamed stream, this time from the left side. The creek then turns south. After flowing for a while, it gets water from one more unnamed stream from the left. It passes near another wetland and turns south-southwest for over a mile.

Finally, the creek turns west for a short distance before it meets and joins the East Branch Tunkhannock Creek. Idlewild Creek is about 5.1 miles (8.2 km) (8.2 kilometres (5.1 mi)) long in total.

How High is the Creek?

The land around the mouth (where the creek ends) of Idlewild Creek is about 1,017 feet (310 m) (310 metres (1,020 ft)) above sea level. The land near the creek's source (where it begins) is higher, at about 1,457 feet (444 m) (444 metres (1,457 ft)) above sea level. This difference in height helps the water flow downhill.

The ground along the lower parts of Idlewild Creek is mostly made of alluvium, which is sand, silt, and clay left behind by flowing water. However, a type of soil called till (left by glaciers) is common on the sides of the valley. Further upstream, the ground is mostly till, except for Lake Idlewild and some wetland areas. There are also places where you can see bedrock (solid rock) made of sandstone and shale on the hills nearby.

What Lives in Idlewild Creek?

Wild trout naturally live and reproduce in the lower 3.29 miles (5.29 km) (5.3 kilometres (3.3 mi)) of Idlewild Creek. This means they are born and grow up in the creek without human help. The creek is known as a Coldwater Fishery, which means its water is cold enough for fish like trout to thrive. It's also a Migratory Fishery, meaning some fish might travel through it.

The main purpose for Idlewild Creek, as decided by environmental groups, is to support aquatic life (plants and animals that live in water).

The Creek's Watershed

The watershed of Idlewild Creek, which is the entire area of land where all the rain and snowmelt drain into the creek, covers about 8.14 square miles (21.1 km²) (21.1 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi)). The creek is located entirely within a specific map area called the Clifford United States Geological Survey quadrangle. Its mouth is less than 1 mile (1.6 km) (1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi)) away from the town of Royal.

A company called Williams Field Services Company, LLC. has received permission to build and operate a 20-inch (51 cm) (51 centimetres (20 in)) natural gas pipeline. This pipeline crosses over some of the unnamed streams that flow into Idlewild Creek. The creek is also part of a plan to control erosion (when soil is washed away by water) and sediment (dirt and sand carried by water).

History of Idlewild Creek

Idlewild Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of names and locations of places in the United States. Its special ID number in the system is 1177685.