Kern Run facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kern Run |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | large ridge known as "Shade Mountain" in Spring Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania 1,664 ft (507 m) |
| River mouth | Middle Creek in Beaver Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania near Beavertown 545 ft (166 m) 40°46′25″N 77°10′48″W / 40.77371°N 77.18006°W |
| Length | 5.7 mi (9.2 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Middle Creek → Penns Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 12.3 sq mi (32 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Kern Run is a small stream, also called a tributary, located in Snyder County, Pennsylvania. It flows into a larger stream called Middle Creek. Kern Run is about 5.7 miles (9.2 km) long. It passes through Spring Township, Beaver Township, and the town of Beavertown.
The area of land that drains water into Kern Run is called its watershed. This watershed covers about 12.3 square miles (32 km2). Kern Run has two smaller streams that flow into it, known as tributaries: Luphers Run and Wetzel Run.
There is a dam on Kern Run that creates a lake. This lake is about 24-acre (9.7 ha) big. It helps provide drinking water and controls floods. Some parts of the stream are not as clean as they should be. Many bridges have been built over Kern Run. The stream's watershed is a special place for fish. It is known as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means that wild trout naturally live and reproduce here.
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Kern Run's Journey
Kern Run starts high up on a large hill in Spring Township. This hill is sometimes called "Shade Mountain." The stream flows down the hill, first heading north. After a short distance, it turns to flow east-northeast. It travels between Shade Mountain and a smaller hill called Ore Ridge.
Flowing Through Town
As Kern Run continues, it enters Beaver Township. Here, it turns north-northeast for a bit before flowing into a lake. After the lake, the stream turns north-northwest. It then leaves its valley and heads north-northeast again. This path takes it through the town of Beavertown. In Beavertown, Kern Run flows under US Route 522. It also meets its first tributary, Luphers Run, which joins from the right side.
Just north of Beavertown, Kern Run meets its second tributary, Wetzel Run, also from the right. The stream then turns north-northwest. It flows between two more hills, Freestone Ridge and Thomas Ridge. Finally, Kern Run reaches its end, joining Middle Creek. Kern Run meets Middle Creek about 22.02 miles (35.44 km) before Middle Creek reaches its own mouth.
Tributaries of Kern Run
Kern Run has two important tributaries: Luphers Run and Wetzel Run.
- Luphers Run: This stream joins Kern Run about 1.34 miles (2.16 km) upstream from Kern Run's mouth. The area that drains into Luphers Run is about 1.79 square miles (4.6 km2).
- Wetzel Run: This stream joins Kern Run about 1.10 miles (1.77 km) upstream from Kern Run's mouth. The area that drains into Wetzel Run is about 3.58 square miles (9.3 km2).
Land and Rocks Around Kern Run
The land around Kern Run changes from high mountains to lower areas.
- Source Elevation: Where Kern Run begins, its elevation is about 1,664 feet (507 m) above sea level.
- Mouth Elevation: Where Kern Run joins Middle Creek, its elevation is much lower, about 545 feet (166 m) above sea level.
Kern Run is a relatively small stream. Its very beginning is on a large hill known as Shade Mountain. In its upper parts, Kern Run flows through a wild, mountainous area. It was once described as a "little mountain brook." However, near Beavertown, the stream actually flows underground for a short distance.
Rocks from the Bloomsburg Formation have been found in a quarry near Kern Run. This quarry is about 0.75 miles (1.21 km) south of Beavertown.
Water and Its Journey
The entire watershed of Kern Run covers an area of 12.3 square miles (32 km2). The mouth of the stream is on maps for Beavertown. However, its source is on maps for Beaver Springs.
The Kern Run Dam and Lake
Kern Run has one dam, known as PA-638. This dam creates a lake that usually covers about 24 acres (9.7 ha). The lake holds about 248 acre-feet of water. The area that drains into this lake is about 5.38 square miles (13.9 km2). The dam itself is 61 feet (19 m) high.
Most of the land upstream from the lake is covered by forests (99 percent). A small part (1 percent) includes water bodies, wetlands, and pastures. You can reach Kern Run by using Township Road 588 from US Route 522. Unfortunately, one part of Kern Run is considered an "impaired waterbody," meaning its water quality is not as good as it should be.
History of Kern Run
Kern Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of names for places like streams.
Bridges Over the Stream
Over the years, several bridges have been built across Kern Run:
- A concrete bridge carrying State Route 4007 was built north of Beavertown in 1922. It is 40.0 feet (12.2 m) long.
- A bridge carrying US Route 522 also crosses the stream in Beavertown. This bridge was planned to be replaced.
The Kern Run Lake
The lake on Kern Run was created in 1983. It serves two main purposes:
- It provides drinking water for about 1000 people.
- It helps with flood control.
The Spring Township Municipal Authority owns and manages this lake.
Wildlife in Kern Run
The watershed of Kern Run is a special place for fish and other aquatic life. It is called a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's a good home for fish that like cold water, and it's a path for fish that travel to different areas.
Wild trout naturally live and reproduce in about 4.2 miles (6.8 km) of the stream. Kern Run is even classified as Approved Trout Waters. In the 1980s, about 3 miles (4.8 km) of the stream was also stocked with trout, meaning extra trout were added there.
