Lees Creek (Lackawanna River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lees Creek |
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|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Shove Creek |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | wetland on a plateau in Carbondale Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania between 1,760 and 1,780 feet (536 and 543 m) |
| River mouth | Lackawanna River in Carbondale Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania 974 ft (297 m) 41°32′59″N 75°31′44″W / 41.54964°N 75.52895°W |
| Length | 1.9 mi (3.1 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Lackawanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 0.73 sq mi (1.9 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Lees Creek is a small stream in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It is also known as Shove Creek. This creek flows into the Lackawanna River. Lees Creek is about 1.9 miles (3.1 km) long. It runs through Carbondale Township. The area of land that drains into the creek is 0.73 square miles (1.9 km2). A special lake called the O and W Reservoir is located on Lees Creek. The creek is a great home for fish. It is known as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it has cool water and fish that travel through it.
Contents
Where Does Lees Creek Flow?
Lees Creek starts in a wet, marshy area. This area is on a flat, high piece of land called a plateau. It is located in Carbondale Township. The creek first flows south-southeast for a short distance. It then goes through a small lake. After that, it turns south and flows down a steep hill.
The creek then passes through the O and W Reservoir. It turns south-southeast again for a bit. A small, unnamed stream joins Lees Creek from the left side. The creek then turns southeast and continues down the hill. For some distance, Lees Creek flows along the edge of Carbondale Township and Mayfield. Finally, it crosses a highway. Then it meets the Lackawanna River. Lees Creek joins the Lackawanna River about 26.78 miles (43.10 km) before the river reaches its own end.
How Healthy is Lees Creek?
Lees Creek is a healthy stream. It is in "good condition" for most of its path. The creek usually flows all year long. This means it is a perennial stream. Sometimes, it loses a bit of water upstream of a road called US Business Route 6. But it still keeps flowing well.
The Land Around Lees Creek
The land around the end of Lees Creek is 974 feet (297 m) above sea level. The place where the creek starts, its source, is higher up. It is between 1,760 and 1,780 feet (536 and 543 m) above sea level. The very beginning of Lees Creek is in wetlands on West Mountain.
After the O and W Reservoir, the creek flows down a steep slope. It also crosses a main road called Business Route 6. Near its end, the creek's path goes through areas with coal waste. It also flows over cinders and old railroad rocks.
The Lees Creek Watershed
The watershed of Lees Creek covers an area of 0.73 square miles (1.9 km2). This means all the rain and snow that falls in this area flows into Lees Creek. The entire creek is located within the Carbondale area on maps from the United States Geological Survey. It is a small, first-order stream. This means it's one of the smallest types of streams.
The O and W Reservoir is on Lees Creek. This reservoir is about 3 acres (1.2 ha) in size. In the 1990s, experts said Lees Creek was a "moderate-quality aquatic resource." This means it was a fairly good place for water plants and animals to live.
History of Lees Creek
Lees Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of names for places like rivers and mountains. Its special ID number there is 1179126. The creek is also known as Shove Creek. You can find this name on some maps made by the United States Geological Survey.
In the past, the O and W Reservoir on Lees Creek was important. It provided water for the Mayfield Rail Yard. This was a train yard for the New York, Ontario and Western Railway. This use stopped in 1957. Now, the reservoir is owned by private people. An old train yard site is located where the creek meets the Lackawanna River. The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority owns this site and the mouth of the creek.
In the early 2000s, a plan was made to help the Lackawanna River. This plan suggested that the lower 2,000 feet (610 m) of Lees Creek should be fixed up. This could help the creek flow all year long. The plan also suggested that Carbondale Township should protect Lees Creek.
Animals in Lees Creek
Lees Creek is a special place for fish. It is called a Coldwater Fishery. This means it has cool water that certain fish need to live. It is also a Migratory Fishery. This means fish that travel long distances use the creek.
