Kellum Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kellum Creek |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | valley in Madison Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania between 1,660 and 1,680 feet (510 and 510 m) |
| River mouth | Roaring Brook at the Elmhurst Reservoir in Madison Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania 1,424 ft (434 m) 41°21′26″N 75°31′26″W / 41.35723°N 75.52381°W |
| Length | 2.9 mi (4.7 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Roaring Brook → Lackawanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 2.56 sq mi (6.6 km2) |
Kellum Creek is a small river, also called a tributary, that flows into Roaring Brook in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It's about 2.9 miles (4.7 km) long and winds its way through Madison Township. The area of land that drains into the creek, called its watershed, covers about 2.56 square miles (6.6 km2).
Kellum Creek is special because it's known as 'Class A Wild Trout Waters'. This means wild trout live and reproduce there naturally. There are also plans for a fun trail near the creek. The ground around the creek has different types of soil and rocks, like alluvium (river deposits) and bedrock.
Contents
Where Kellum Creek Flows
Kellum Creek starts in a wide, shallow valley in Madison Township. It flows south for a short distance. Then, it turns west and then south again.
After a bit more flowing, the creek reaches a small community called Aberdeen. Here, it turns west and flows for over a mile through a much narrower valley. Finally, it turns northwest for a short distance. It then joins Roaring Brook at the southern end of the Elmhurst Reservoir.
Kellum Creek meets Roaring Brook about 12.80 miles (20.60 km) before Roaring Brook reaches its own end.
Water, Land, and Rocks Around the Creek
The land where Kellum Creek joins Roaring Brook is about 1,424 feet (434 m) above sea level. Where the creek begins, its source, the land is higher, between 1,660 and 1,680 feet (510 and 510 m) above sea level.
The ground along the lower parts of Kellum Creek's valley is mostly made of large rocks and soil that have moved downhill, called Boulder Colluvium. These often include many big boulders of quartz, sandstone, or conglomerate. There's also alluvium, which is soil deposited by the creek.
On the sides of the valley, you can find solid bedrock. This bedrock contains different types of sandstone and shale. There's also a type of soil left behind by glaciers, called Wisconsinan Till. Further upstream, the area around the creek mostly has Wisconsinan Till. You can also find some bedrock, Boulder Colluvium, peat bogs (wet, spongy ground), and wetlands.
The water in Kellum Creek has 20 milligrams of alkalinity per liter. Alkalinity helps to balance the water's acidity.
Kellum Creek's Watershed
The entire area of land that drains water into Kellum Creek is called its watershed. This watershed covers about 2.56 square miles (6.6 km2).
The end of the creek is located in the Moscow area, according to the United States Geological Survey maps. However, the creek's beginning is in the Sterling area.
History and Fun Activities
Kellum Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system helps keep track of names for places like rivers and mountains.
In the early 2000s, a plan for protecting the Lackawanna River watershed suggested that Madison Township should protect Kellum Creek in their town plans. A bridge that carries State Route 2004/Reservoir Road goes over the creek. There have been talks about replacing this bridge.
Land along the creek used to be owned by the Theta Land Corporation. But in 2002, they made the creek and other nearby areas open to the public. They did this by leasing the land to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for only $1 per year. This was great news for people who enjoy nature!
Planned Roaring Creek Trail
There are plans for a new trail called the Roaring Creek Trail. This trail will cross Kellum Creek. It will go from lands owned by Pennsylvania American Water in Roaring Brook Township to an area near the sewer plant in Moscow. The trail will be about 3 miles (4.8 km) long.
Construction for the trail was planned for 2014. Part of the money for the trail came from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. When the trail crosses Kellum Creek, the plan is to keep it as natural as possible. Instead of a bridge, people will cross the creek over rocks.
Biology and Trout Reproduction
Wild trout naturally live and reproduce in Kellum Creek. You can find them from the upper parts of the creek all the way down to where it meets Roaring Brook.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission considers Kellum Creek to be 'Class A Wild Trout Waters'. This special classification means it's an excellent place for wild brook trout to thrive.
