Leatherbark Run facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leatherbark Run |
|
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Pocahontas |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Back Allegheny Mountain Pocahontas County, WV 4,728 ft (1,441 m) 38°26′42″N 79°55′50″W / 38.44500°N 79.93056°W |
| River mouth | Greenbrier River Cass, WV 2,441 ft (744 m) 38°24′01″N 79°54′34″W / 38.40028°N 79.90944°W |
Leatherbark Run is a special stream located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. It is famous for being the highest stream in West Virginia! This stream flows into the Greenbrier River.
Contents
Leatherbark Run: West Virginia's Highest Stream
Leatherbark Run holds a unique record in West Virginia. It starts from a natural spring on the south side of Bald Knob. This mountain is part of the Back Allegheny Mountain range. The stream's starting point is very high up, at about 4,728 feet (1,441 meters) above sea level.
Where Leatherbark Run Begins and Ends
After starting high on the mountain, Leatherbark Run flows south. It then turns eastward near a place called Whittaker. The stream continues in this direction until it reaches the town of Cass. In Cass, it flows into the Greenbrier River. The total drop in elevation from where it starts to where it ends is about 2,290 feet (698 meters). This is a bigger drop than any other stream in West Virginia!
A Railroad's Path Through the Mountains
In the early 1900s, Leatherbark Run was very important for logging. Engineers building a railroad found that the only good way to cross the Allegheny Mountains was to follow Leatherbark Run. This path helped them reach huge spruce forests that grew high up, above 4,000 feet (1,219 meters). Today, the Cass Scenic Railroad still uses this historic route. It carries passengers on exciting trips into the mountains.
Why Leatherbark Run Can Flood Quickly
Leatherbark Run is also known for its potential to flash flood. This means the water level can rise very quickly. Even if it's not raining in Cass, the stream can flood. This happens because its source is in a very mountainous area. The weather in these mountains can change very fast, causing heavy rain to fall quickly. This rapid rainfall can make the stream swell up and flood downstream.
