Lampblack Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lampblack Creek |
|
|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Lamp Black Creek |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | small valley on a hill in Jenkins Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania between 1,220 and 1,240 feet (370 and 380 m) |
| River mouth | Gardner Creek in Jenkins Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania 935 ft (285 m) 41°16′51″N 75°46′30″W / 41.2807°N 75.7751°W |
| Length | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Gardner Creek → Mill Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 1.08 sq mi (2.8 km2) |
Lampblack Creek (also called Lamp Black Creek) is a small stream in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Gardner Creek. The creek is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long. It flows through Jenkins Township. The area of land that drains into the creek is 1.08 square miles (2.8 km2).
Contents
Where Lampblack Creek Flows
Lampblack Creek starts in a small valley on a hill. This hill is in Jenkins Township. The creek first flows towards the west-southwest. After a short distance, it turns to flow west-northwest. It even goes under Interstate 476.
Then, the creek turns southwest for a bit. It later turns northwest. A few hundred feet further, it meets Gardner Creek. Lampblack Creek joins Gardner Creek about 3.92 miles (6.31 km) before Gardner Creek reaches its own end.
Water and Land Around the Creek
How High is the Creek?
The place where Lampblack Creek joins Gardner Creek is about 935 feet (285 m) above sea level. The very beginning of Lampblack Creek is higher up. It is between 1,220 and 1,240 feet (370 and 380 m) above sea level.
What is the Ground Like?
The ground around Lampblack Creek has different types of rock. You can find bedrock made of sandstone and shale. There are also areas with pits from shale and sandstone mining. Some parts are urban land, meaning they are developed by people.
You can also see alluvium, which is soil left by flowing water. There is also a type of glacial soil called Wisconsinan Till. Sadly, there are also areas with old coal dumps.
Water Quality Concerns
In 1974, people noticed that the water quality in Lampblack Creek was "depressed." This means it was not very clean. The creek was affected by acid mine drainage. This is polluted water from old mines. There was also a lot of sedimentation, which means too much dirt and sand in the water.
As of 2009, a company called Pennsy Supply, Inc. has permission. They can release treated mine water into Lampblack Creek.
The Creek's Drainage Area
The watershed of Lampblack Creek covers an area of 1.08 square miles (2.8 km2). This entire area is located within the Pittston map section. This map is made by the United States Geological Survey.
Long ago, there was a place called Laflin Reservoir. It was on Gardner Creek, just above where Lampblack Creek joins it. Lampblack Creek used to have a dam on it. A ditch also ran from Lampblack Creek to Gardner Creek. This ditch connected above the old Laflin Reservoir.
Lampblack Creek is a smaller stream that feeds into Mill Creek. Mill Creek then flows into the Susquehanna River.
History of Lampblack Creek
Lampblack Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of names for places. Its special ID number there is 1178836.
The creek is also known by its other name, Lamp Black Creek. This name was written in a book. The book was called Atlas of the Anthracite Coalfields of Pennsylvania. It was published way back in 1888.
In the 2000s, a big project happened. It was in a 70.9-acre area. This area was in the watersheds of Lampblack Creek and Mill Creek. The project cost $1.27 million. It was done to clean up old mine sites.
Animals and Plants
Lampblack Creek is a special place for fish. It is called a Coldwater Fishery. This means it is a good habitat for fish that like cold water. It is also a Migratory Fishery. This means some fish travel through it to lay their eggs.
