Langan Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Langan Creek |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | lake in Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania between 1,760 and 1,780 feet (540 and 540 m) |
| River mouth | Van Brunt Creek in Moscow, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania 1,535 ft (468 m) 41°20′07″N 75°31′06″W / 41.33521°N 75.51834°W |
| Length | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Van Brunt Creek → Roaring Brook → Lackawanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
Langan Creek (also known as Langans Creek or Langan's Creek) is a small stream in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Van Brunt Creek and is about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long. The creek runs through Covington Township and Moscow. You can find wild trout living in its waters. The area around the creek includes Langan Swamp and Union Mills Swamp. The ground here is mostly made of glacial till, bedrock, and wetlands.
Contents
Where Langan Creek Flows
Langan Creek starts in a lake in Covington Township. It flows south for a short distance, passing through Union Mill Swamp. Then, it turns east for a while. The creek then enters Langan Swamp and flows northeast before turning east again. Finally, it turns north-northwest. After flowing for some distance, it reaches Moscow and joins Van Brunt Creek.
Water, Land, and Rocks
The land around Langan Creek is at different heights. Where the creek joins Van Brunt Creek, the elevation is about 1,535 feet (468 m) above sea level. Where the creek begins, it's higher, between 1,760 and 1,780 feet (540 and 540 m) above sea level.
The ground around Langan Creek is mostly made of a type of soil and rock called Wisconsinan Till. This material was left behind by glaciers long ago. There are also areas with solid bedrock, which is made of different kinds of rocks like sandstone and shale. You can also find large wetland areas and some peat bogs in the upper parts of the creek's watershed.
The Creek's Watershed
A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a specific river or creek. Langan Creek's watershed is entirely within the Moscow area, as mapped by the United States Geological Survey.
Langan Creek can sometimes cause flooding in Moscow. Both Langan Creek and Van Brunt Creek can lead to big floods in the town. In the past, the creek was dammed to create a pond. This pond covers about 1 acre (4,000 m2). The creek also drains water from a swamp called Langan Swamp, and Union Mill Swamp is also part of its watershed.
History and Fun Activities
Langan 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.
Many years ago, in the early 1900s, people talked about building a bridge over Langan Creek in Covington Township. It was thought to cost about $800 at that time.
Langan Creek flows through the Moffat Estate, which is a 42-acre piece of land in Covington Township. This land was given to the township in 2002. In the early 2000s, a plan for the Lackawanna River area suggested that Covington Township and Moscow should protect Langan Creek in their town planning.
There's also an idea for a walking trail that would go from the sewer plant in Moscow to Covington Park. This trail would pass by Langan Creek and the Moffat Estate. It would be about 1.5 to 2 miles (2.4 to 3.2 km) long. However, this trail isn't planned to be built very soon, as of 2013.
Creek Life: Biology
Langan Creek is a special place for trout. Wild trout naturally reproduce in the creek, from where it starts all the way to where it ends. The creek is known as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery, which means its water is very clean and cold, perfect for trout and other cold-water creatures.
