List of tributaries of the Lackawanna River facts for kids
The Lackawanna River is a river in Pennsylvania that stretches about 40 miles (64 km) long. It flows through Susquehanna, Lackawanna, and Luzerne Counties before joining the Susquehanna River. Many smaller streams and rivers flow into the Lackawanna River, and these are called its tributaries. There are 65 named tributaries in total! The shortest one is only about 0.4 miles (0.64 km) long, while the longest is 21 miles (34 km) long. These tributaries include different types of waterways like 40 creeks, 14 brooks, 9 runs, and 2 other rivers.
The five longest tributaries are Roaring Brook, Spring Brook, the East Branch Lackawanna River, Stafford Meadow Brook, and the West Branch Lackawanna River. When we look at the size of the land area that drains water into them (called a watershed), the five largest are Spring Brook, Roaring Brook, the East Branch Lackawanna River, Leggetts Creek, and the West Branch Lackawanna River.
Contents
About the Lackawanna River and Its Tributaries
What are Tributaries?
Imagine a big tree. The main trunk is like the Lackawanna River. The branches that split off from the trunk are like the tributaries. They are smaller streams or rivers that flow into a larger river, bringing water from a wider area. These tributaries are super important because they help keep the main river healthy and full of water.
Types of Water and Fish
The water in the Lackawanna River's tributaries is classified in different ways, which helps protect the fish and other creatures living there.
- Most tributaries are called Coldwater Fisheries. This means the water is cold enough for fish like trout to live and thrive.
- Two tributaries, Eddy Creek and part of Stafford Meadow Brook, are Warmwater Fisheries. The water here is warmer, suitable for different kinds of fish.
- Two others, Summit Lake Creek and part of Leggetts Creek, are Trout-Stocked Fisheries. This means people add trout to these waters for fishing.
- Parts of six tributaries are considered High-Quality Coldwater Fisheries. This is a special designation for very clean, cold water that supports healthy fish populations. These include the East Branch Lackawanna River, the West Branch Lackawanna River, and parts of Grassy Island Creek, Roaring Brook, Stafford Meadow Brook, and Spring Brook.
- One tributary, Clarks Creek, has an Exceptional Value designation. This is the highest level of protection, meaning its water quality is outstanding.
- It's exciting to know that wild trout naturally reproduce in about 30 of these tributaries!
Nature's Features Along the Tributaries
The areas around the Lackawanna River's tributaries are full of interesting natural features.
- At least 16 tributaries have waterfalls or cool landforms like water gaps (where a river cuts through a mountain ridge) and escarpments (steep slopes or cliffs).
- The Roaring Brook watershed alone has seven such sites!
- There are also many named ponds and lakes, both natural and man-made, in the areas around more than 15 tributaries.
- You can also find bogs (wet, spongy ground) and wetland areas in the watersheds of about 12 tributaries. These wetlands are important habitats for many plants and animals.
Unfortunately, some parts of the tributaries have been affected by human activities, especially from past mining. This has caused some streams to lose water or even disappear in certain sections. Efforts are being made to clean up and restore these areas to make them healthy again.
Meet the Tributaries!
Here's a list of the main tributaries that flow into the Lackawanna River, along with some details about them.
Main Tributaries of the Lackawanna River
| Name | Length | Watershed area | Distance from mouth | Mouth elevation | Source elevation | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Spring Run | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) | 1.25 square miles (3.2 km2) | 1.84 miles (2.96 km) | 551 feet (168 m) | 1,020 to 1,040 feet (310 to 320 m) | 41°21′20″N 75°45′56″W / 41.35556°N 75.76556°W |
| Saint Johns Creek | 6.4 miles (10.3 km) | 7.20 square miles (18.6 km2) | 2.60 miles (4.18 km) | 578 feet (176 m) | 1,800 to 1,820 feet (550 to 550 m) | 41°21′28″N 75°45′09″W / 41.35778°N 75.75250°W |
| Mill Creek | 5.5 miles (8.9 km) | 10.6 square miles (27 km2) | 3.30 miles (5.31 km) | 604 feet (184 m) | 1,200 to 1,220 feet (370 to 370 m) | 41°21′23″N 75°44′33″W / 41.35639°N 75.74250°W |
| Spring Brook | 17 miles (27 km) | 57.2 square miles (148 km2) | 3.62 miles (5.83 km) | 617 feet (188 m) | 1,860 feet (570 m) | 41°21′26″N 75°44′13″W / 41.35722°N 75.73694°W |
| Keyser Creek | 6.1 miles (9.8 km) | 8.59 square miles (22.2 km2) | 7.20 miles (11.59 km) | 643 feet (196 m) | 1,760 to 1,780 feet (540 to 540 m) | 41°23′04″N 75°42′11″W / 41.38444°N 75.70306°W |
| Stafford Meadow Brook | 11.2 miles (18.0 km) | 14.1 square miles (37 km2) | 9.06 miles (14.58 km) | 673 feet (205 m) | 1,560 to 1,580 feet (480 to 480 m) | 41°23′47″N 75°40′36″W / 41.39639°N 75.67667°W |
| Roaring Brook | 21 miles (34 km) | 56.3 square miles (146 km2) | 9.52 miles (15.32 km) | 659 feet (201 m) | 1,940 to 1,960 feet (590 to 600 m) | 41°24′07″N 75°40′24″W / 41.40194°N 75.67333°W |
| Meadow Brook | 2.0 miles (3.2 km) | 2.43 square miles (6.3 km2) | 11.83 miles (19.04 km) | 692 feet (211 m) | 920 to 940 feet (280 to 290 m) | 41°25′30″N 75°39′31″W / 41.42500°N 75.65861°W |
| Leggetts Creek | 9.0 miles (14.5 km) | 18.5 square miles (48 km2) | 14.36 miles (23.11 km) | 715 feet (218 m) | 1,600 to 1,620 feet (490 to 490 m) | 41°26′41″N 75°38′36″W / 41.44472°N 75.64333°W |
| Price Creek | 2.0 miles (3.2 km) | 732 feet (223 m) | 1,360 to 1,380 feet (410 to 420 m) | 41°27′28″N 75°37′14″W / 41.45778°N 75.62056°W | ||
| Eddy Creek | 5.7 miles (9.2 km) | 7.53 square miles (19.5 km2) | 16.84 miles (27.10 km) | 758 feet (231 m) | 1,720 to 1,740 feet (520 to 530 m) | 41°27′48″N 75°36′36″W / 41.46333°N 75.61000°W |
| Hull Creek | 4.1 miles (6.6 km) | 3.22 square miles (8.3 km2) | 17.56 miles (28.26 km) | 755 feet (230 m) | 1,560 to 1,580 feet (480 to 480 m) | 41°28′14″N 75°36′24″W / 41.47056°N 75.60667°W |
| Wildcat Creek | 3.8 miles (6.1 km) | 4.49 square miles (11.6 km2) | 18.55 miles (29.85 km) | 771 feet (235 m) | 1,540 to 1,560 feet (470 to 480 m) | 41°28′34″N 75°35′26″W / 41.47611°N 75.59056°W |
| Sterry Creek | 4.7 miles (7.6 km) | 4.92 square miles (12.7 km2) | 18.98 miles (30.55 km) | 784 feet (239 m) | 1,820 to 1,840 feet (550 to 560 m) | 41°28′33″N 75°34′58″W / 41.47583°N 75.58278°W |
| Grassy Island Creek | 4.4 miles (7.1 km) | 5.42 square miles (14.0 km2) | 20.36 miles (32.77 km) | 830 feet (250 m) | 2,140 to 2,160 feet (650 to 660 m) | 41°28′46″N 75°49′04″W / 41.47944°N 75.81778°W |
| Laurel Run | 3.6 miles (5.8 km) | 2.72 square miles (7.0 km2) | 21.82 miles (35.12 km) | 838 feet (255 m) | 2,160 to 2,180 feet (660 to 660 m) | 41°29′23″N 75°32′30″W / 41.48972°N 75.54167°W |
| White Oak Run | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | 5.11 square miles (13.2 km2) | 22.42 miles (36.08 km) | 892 feet (272 m) | 2,180 to 2,200 feet (660 to 670 m) | 41°29′49″N 75°32′24″W / 41.49694°N 75.54000°W |
| Aylesworth Creek | 4.9 miles (7.9 km) | 6.73 square miles (17.4 km2) | 24.30 miles (39.11 km) | 925 feet (282 m) | 1,560 to 1,580 feet (480 to 480 m) | 41°31′13″N 75°32′41″W / 41.52028°N 75.54472°W |
| Callender Gap Creek | 0.8 miles (1.3 km) | 0.76 square miles (2.0 km2) | 928 feet (283 m) | 1,040 to 1,060 feet (320 to 320 m) | 41°13′37″N 75°32′47″W / 41.22694°N 75.54639°W | |
| Rush Brook | 5.1 miles (8.2 km) | 6.01 square miles (15.6 km2) | 25.24 miles (40.62 km) | 942 feet (287 m) | 1,640 to 1,660 feet (500 to 510 m) | 41°31′54″N 75°32′33″W / 41.53167°N 75.54250°W |
| Powderly Creek | 2.3 miles (3.7 km) | 1.77 square miles (4.6 km2) | 26.42 miles (42.52 km) | 965 feet (294 m) | 1,140 to 1,160 feet (350 to 350 m) | 41°32′43″N 75°31′57″W / 41.54528°N 75.53250°W |
| Lees Creek | 1.9 miles (3.1 km) | 0.73 square miles (1.9 km2) | 26.78 miles (43.10 km) | 974 feet (297 m) | 1,760 to 1,780 feet (540 to 540 m) | 41°32′59″N 75°31′44″W / 41.54972°N 75.52889°W |
| Meredith Creek | 0.4 miles (0.64 km) | 1,001 feet (305 m) | 1,100 to 1,120 feet (340 to 340 m) | 41°33′20″N 75°31′28″W / 41.55556°N 75.52444°W | ||
| Fall Brook | 7.9 miles (12.7 km) | 12.4 square miles (32 km2) | 28.30 miles (45.54 km) | 1,024 feet (312 m) | 1,720 to 1,740 feet (520 to 530 m) | 41°34′05″N 75°30′36″W / 41.56806°N 75.51000°W |
| Racket Brook | 3.6 miles (5.8 km) | 5.29 square miles (13.7 km2) | 29.44 miles (47.38 km) | 1,056 feet (322 m) | 1,940 to 1,960 feet (590 to 600 m) | 41°34′34″N 73°30′05″W / 41.57611°N 73.50139°W |
| Coal Brook | 2.2 miles (3.5 km) | 1.93 square miles (5.0 km2) | 29.76 miles (47.89 km) | 1,083 feet (330 m) | 1,700 to 1,720 feet (520 to 520 m) | 41°35′06″N 75°29′52″W / 41.58500°N 75.49778°W |
| Wilson Creek | 3.7 miles (6.0 km) | 3.82 square miles (9.9 km2) | 30.82 miles (49.60 km) | 1,129 feet (344 m) | 1,880 to 1,900 feet (570 to 580 m) | 41°35′35″N 75°29′05″W / 41.59306°N 75.48472°W |
| Rogers Brook | 1.8 miles (2.9 km) | 1,404 feet (428 m) | 2,000 to 2,020 feet (610 to 620 m) | 41°38′19″N 75°27′27″W / 41.63861°N 75.45750°W | ||
| Clarks Creek | 2.2 miles (3.5 km) | 3.37 square miles (8.7 km2) | 34.8 miles (56.0 km) | 1,407 feet (429 m) | 1,780 to 1,800 feet (540 to 550 m) | 41°38′36″N 75°27′30″W / 41.64333°N 75.45833°W |
| Meredith Brook | 2.1 miles (3.4 km) | 35.1 miles (56.5 km) | 1,414 feet (431 m) | 1,700 to 1,720 feet (520 to 520 m) | 41°38′42″N 75°27′41″W / 41.64500°N 75.46139°W | |
| Brace Brook | 2.9 miles (4.7 km) | 2.99 square miles (7.7 km2) | 36.96 miles (59.48 km) | 1,473 feet (449 m) | 2,040 to 2,060 feet (620 to 630 m) | 41°39′43″N 75°27′50″W / 41.66194°N 75.46389°W |
| East Branch Lackawanna River | 12.7 miles (20.4 km) | 19.0 square miles (49 km2) | 40.32 miles (64.89 km) | 1,572 feet (479 m) | 2,020 to 2,040 feet (620 to 620 m) | 41°42′09″N 75°29′06″W / 41.70250°N 75.48500°W |
| West Branch Lackawanna River | 9.5 miles (15.3 km) | 16.8 square miles (44 km2) | 40.32 miles (64.89 km) | 1,572 feet (479 m) | 2,000 to 2,020 feet (610 to 620 m) | 41°42′41″N 75°29′06″W / 41.71139°N 75.48500°W |
Tributaries of Mill Creek
Mill Creek is one of the Lackawanna River's own tributaries, and it has its own smaller streams flowing into it!
| Name | Length | Watershed area | Distance from mouth | Mouth elevation | Source elevation | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lidy Creek | 1.9 miles (3.1 km) | 1.50 square miles (3.9 km2) | 2.46 miles (3.96 km) | 709 feet (216 m) | 1,020 to 1,040 feet (310 to 320 m) | 41°18′38″N 75°44′55″W / 41.31056°N 75.74861°W |
| Collins Creek | 2.8 miles (4.5 km) | 1.39 square miles (3.6 km2) | 3.66 miles (5.89 km) | 873 feet (266 m) | 1,260 to 1,280 feet (380 to 390 m) | 41°19′35″N 75°44′49″W / 41.32639°N 75.74694°W |
Tributaries of Spring Brook
Spring Brook is another important tributary of the Lackawanna River, and it has several streams that feed into it.
| Name | Length | Watershed area | Distance from mouth | Mouth elevation | Source elevation | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covey Swamp Creek | 2.2 miles (3.5 km) | 709 feet (216 m) | 1,080 to 1,100 feet (330 to 340 m) | 41°21′07″N 75°42′50″W / 41.35194°N 75.71389°W | ||
| Monument Creek | 2.8 miles (4.5 km) | 869 feet (265 m) | 1,620 to 1,640 feet (490 to 500 m) | 41°19′41″N 75°41′24″W / 41.32806°N 75.69000°W | ||
| Green Run | 4.7 miles (7.6 km) | 4.32 square miles (11.2 km2) | 6.48 miles (10.43 km) | 1,152 feet (351 m) | 1,640 to 1,660 feet (500 to 510 m) | 41°19′47″N 75°39′24″W / 41.32972°N 75.65667°W |
| Rattlesnake Creek | 5.0 miles (8.0 km) | 9.18 square miles (23.8 km2) | 7.96 miles (12.81 km) | 1,171 feet (357 m) | 1,680 to 1,700 feet (510 to 520 m) | 41°18′51″N 75°38′17″W / 41.31417°N 75.63806°W |
| Plank Bridge Creek | 2.4 miles (3.9 km) | 1.26 square miles (3.3 km2) | 8.65 miles (13.92 km) | 1,188 feet (362 m) | 1,880 to 1,900 feet (570 to 580 m) | 41°18′20″N 75°38′37″W / 41.30556°N 75.64361°W |
| Panther Creek | 2.7 miles (4.3 km) | 7.18 square miles (18.6 km2) | 10.40 miles (16.74 km) | 1,309 feet (399 m) | 1,900 to 1,920 feet (580 to 590 m) | 41°17′30″N 75°37′14″W / 41.29167°N 75.62056°W |
Tributaries of Keyser Creek
Keyser Creek is another stream that flows into the Lackawanna River, and it has its own smaller branches.
| Name | Length | Watershed area | Distance from mouth | Mouth elevation | Source elevation | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucky Run | 2.4 miles (3.9 km) | 1.66 square miles (4.3 km2) | 2.32 miles (3.73 km) | 778 feet (237 m) | 1,700 to 1,720 feet (520 to 520 m) | 41°24′45″N 75°42′00″W / 41.41250°N 75.70000°W |
| Lindy Creek | 2.3 miles (3.7 km) | 1.53 square miles (4.0 km2) | 2.86 miles (4.60 km) | 814 feet (248 m) | 1,840 to 1,860 feet (560 to 570 m) | 41°25′05″N 75°41′47″W / 41.41806°N 75.69639°W |
Tributaries of Roaring Brook
Roaring Brook is one of the longest tributaries of the Lackawanna River, and it has many streams that join it.
| Name | Length | Watershed area | Distance from mouth | Mouth elevation | Source elevation | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Roaring Brook | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | 3.06 square miles (7.9 km2) | 4.70 miles (7.56 km) | 1,010 feet (310 m) | 1,520 to 1,540 feet (460 to 470 m) | 41°24′52″N 75°36′35″W / 41.41444°N 75.60972°W |
| Rock Bottom Creek | 3.2 miles (5.1 km) | 3.06 square miles (7.9 km2) | 9.84 miles (15.84 km) | 1,306 feet (398 m) | 1,720 to 1,740 feet (520 to 530 m)}} | 41°23′23″N 75°33′15″W / 41.38972°N 75.55417°W |
| White Oak Run | 2.3 miles (3.7 km) | 3.22 square miles (8.3 km2) | 11.78 miles (18.96 km) | 1,417 feet (432 m) | 1,680 to 1,700 feet (510 to 520 m)}} | 41°22′27″N 75°31′16″W / 41.37417°N 75.52111°W |
| Kellum Creek | 2.9 miles (4.7 km) | 2.56 square miles (6.6 km2) | 12.80 miles (20.60 km) | 1,424 feet (434 m) | 1,660 to 1,680 feet (510 to 510 m)}} | 41°21′25″N 75°31′25″W / 41.35694°N 75.52361°W |
| Van Brunt Creek | 3.3 miles (5.3 km) | 1,476 feet (450 m) | 1,720 to 1,740 feet (520 to 530 m)}} | 41°20′21″N 75°03′51″W / 41.33917°N 75.06417°W | ||
| Bear Brook | 3.0 miles (4.8 km) | 2.26 square miles (5.9 km2) | 14.48 miles (23.30 km) | 1,473 feet (449 m) | 1,800 to 1,820 feet (550 to 550 m)}} | 41°20′22″N 75°30′51″W / 41.33944°N 75.51417°W |
| East Branch Roaring Brook | 3.7 miles (6.0 km) | 5.90 square miles (15.3 km2) | 17.14 miles (27.58 km) | 1,654 feet (504 m) | 1,940 to 1,960 feet (590 to 600 m)}} | 41°18′28″N 75°29′19″W / 41.30778°N 75.48861°W |
| Lake Run | 1.6 miles (2.6 km) | 3.44 square miles (8.9 km2) | 17.50 miles (28.16 km) | 1,654 feet (504 m) | 1,900 feet (580 m)}} | 41°18′12″N 75°29′14″W / 41.30333°N 75.48722°W |
Tributaries of Leggetts Creek
Leggetts Creek also has its own network of streams that flow into it.
| Name | Length | Watershed area | Distance from mouth | Mouth elevation | Source elevation | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leach Creek | 1.9 miles (3.1 km) | 2.55 square miles (6.6 km2) | 1.00 mile (1.61 km) | 781 feet (238 m) | 1,320 to 1,340 feet (400 to 410 m)}} | 41°26′34″N 75°39′39″W / 41.44278°N 75.66083°W |
| Clover Hill Creek | 1.6 miles (2.6 km) | 2 square miles (5.2 km2) | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 906 feet (276 m) | 1,760 to 1,780 feet (540 to 540 m)}} | 41°27′18″N 75°39′44″W / 41.45500°N 75.66222°W |
| Summit Lake Creek | 2.1 miles (3.4 km) | 3.08 square miles (8.0 km2) | 3.90 miles (6.28 km) | 1,063 feet (324 m) | 1,260 to 1,280 feet (380 to 390 m)}} | 41°28′31″N 75°40′59″W / 41.47528°N 75.68306°W |
Other Important Tributaries
Here are some other tributaries that flow into the streams mentioned above.
| Name | Tributary to | Length | Watershed area | Distance from mouth | Mouth elevation | Source elevation | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trout Creek | Monument Creek | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | 935 feet (285 m) | 1,760 to 1,780 feet (540 to 540 m)}} | 41°19′31″N 75°41′17″W / 41.32528°N 75.68806°W | ||
| Six Springs Creek | Rattlesnake Creek | 2.1 miles (3.4 km) | 2.95 square miles (7.6 km2) | 3.40 miles (5.47 km) | 1,450 feet (440 m) | 1,700 to 1,720 feet (520 to 520 m)}} | 41°18′53″N 75°35′01″W / 41.31472°N 75.58361°W |
| Painter Creek | Panther Creek | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | 4.51 square miles (11.7 km2) | 0.90 miles (1.45 km) | 1,411 feet (430 m) | 2,000 to 2,020 feet (610 to 620 m)}} | 41°16′58″N 75°37′50″W / 41.28278°N 75.63056°W |
| Mountain Lake Run | Stafford Meadow Brook | 2 square miles (5.2 km2) | 801 feet (244 m) | 41°23′24″N 75°39′49″W / 41.39000°N 75.66361°W | |||
| Langan Creek | Van Brunt Creek | 2.5 miles (4.0 km) | 1,535 feet (468 m) | 1,760 to 1,780 feet (540 to 540 m)}} | 41°20′06″N 75°31′06″W / 41.33500°N 75.51833°W | ||
| Emerson Run | Lake Run | 1.8 miles (2.9 km) | 1.58 square miles (4.1 km2) | 0.84 miles (1.35 km) | 1,709 feet (521 m) | 1,840 to 1,860 feet (560 to 570 m)}} | 41°17′37″N 75°59′23″W / 41.29361°N 75.98972°W |
| South Branch Leach Creek | Leach Creek | 0.8 miles (1.3 km) | 0.463 square miles (1.20 km2) | 1,066 feet (325 m) | 1,780 to 1,800 feet (540 to 550 m)}} | 41°27′00″N 75°40′38″W / 41.45000°N 75.67722°W | |
| Pancoast Creek | Price Creek | 2.0 miles (3.2 km) | 0.880 square miles (2.28 km2) | 751 feet (229 m) | 1,580 to 1,600 feet (480 to 490 m)}} | 41°27′35″N 75°37′16″W / 41.45972°N 75.62111°W | |
| West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek | Wildcat Creek | 2.2 miles (3.5 km) | 1.490 square miles (3.86 km2) | 843 feet (257 m) | 1,920 to 1,940 feet (590 to 590 m)}} | 41°29′12″N 75°35′12″W / 41.48667°N 75.58667°W | |
| Indian Cave Creek | White Oak Run (Lackawanna River) | 1.9 miles (3.1 km) | 1.59 square miles (4.1 km2) | 1.27 miles (2.04 km) | 1,319 feet (402 m) | 1,960 to 1,980 feet (600 to 600 m)}} | 41°29′51″N 75°31′00″W / 41.49750°N 75.51667°W |
| Fiddle Lake Creek | West Branch Lackawanna River | 6.0 miles (9.7 km) | 6.47 square miles (16.8 km2) | 1.20 miles (1.93 km) | 1,591 feet (485 m) | 2,000 to 2,020 feet (610 to 620 m)}} | 41°42′59″N 75°29′20″W / 41.71639°N 75.48889°W |
See also
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List of tributaries of the Lackawanna River Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.