Laurel Run (Little Muncy Creek tributary) facts for kids

Laurel Run is a small stream, also called a tributary, in Pennsylvania, USA. It flows into Little Muncy Creek. This stream runs through parts of Columbia County and Lycoming County.

Laurel Run is about 6.8 miles (10.9 km) long. It passes through several townships, including Madison, Pine, Franklin, and Moreland. The area of land that drains into Laurel Run, called its watershed, is about 12.2 square miles (32 km²).

This stream is special because it's known as a Coldwater Fishery. This means its waters are cold enough for certain types of fish to live there. It's also a Migratory Fishery, which means fish travel through it to lay their eggs. Many bridges have been built over Laurel Run over the years.

Where Does Laurel Run Flow?

Laurel Run starts in the Muncy Hills in Madison Township, Columbia County. It flows generally east-northeast through a small valley. As it enters Pine Township, it gets water from two small streams joining it from the right side.

The stream then slowly turns towards the north-northwest. It then enters Franklin Township in Lycoming County. Here, it gets water from one stream on its left and another on its right. It continues north for a bit, receiving another stream from the right.

Next, Laurel Run turns west. It flows through a larger valley, following alongside Pennsylvania Route 442. Along this path, it gets water from one stream on its left and two more from its right. Then, it flows into Moreland Township.

In Moreland Township, Laurel Run gets two more streams joining it from the right. It then turns south for a short distance as Route 442 moves away. After that, it turns northwest, receiving one stream from the left and two from the right. It continues to flow near Route 442.

The stream then turns west, getting one stream from the right and one from the left. Finally, it flows west-southwest for a while, receiving two more streams from the left. Laurel Run then meets Little Muncy Creek. It joins Little Muncy Creek about 7.76 miles (12.49 km) before Little Muncy Creek reaches its own end.

Land and Water Around Laurel Run

The land around Laurel Run changes in height. Near where the stream ends, its elevation is about 659 feet (201 m) above sea level. Where the stream begins, its elevation is much higher, around 1,258 feet (383 m) above sea level.

The entire area that collects water for Laurel Run, its watershed, covers about 12.2 square miles (32 km²). The mouth of the stream is located near a town called Moreland. Laurel Run is one of the most important streams in Moreland Township and the southern part of Franklin Township.

Fish and Wildlife

Laurel Run is officially known as a Coldwater Fishery. This means its water stays cool enough for fish like trout to thrive. It is also a Migratory Fishery. This classification means that fish use this stream as a path to travel, often to reach specific places for breeding. All the other streams that flow into Little Muncy Creek also have these same classifications.

A Look Back in Time

Laurel Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system helps keep track of names and locations of places in the United States. Its special identification number is 1179018.

Some of the first people to settle in the area around Laurel Run were Christopher Derr and Thomas Taggert.

Over the years, several bridges have been built across Laurel Run:

• In 1920, a steel bridge was built to carry a local road (T-477) over the stream. This bridge is about 0.6 miles (0.97 km) south of Moreland.
• Also in 1920, another similar steel bridge was built for road T-638, about 1.0 mile (1.6 km) southeast of Moreland.
• In 1932, a concrete bridge was constructed for a local road, about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Clarkstown.
• A steel bridge for State Route 2011 was built in 1962. It is located about 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Clarkstown.
• In 1966, a concrete culvert bridge was built for local road 442, about 8 miles (13 km) east of Clarkstown.