Little Pine Creek (Luzerne and Columbia Counties, Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Pine Creek |
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Little Pine Creek in Fishing Creek Township
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Bear Swamp in northwestern Huntington Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania 940 ft (290 m) |
| River mouth | Pine Creek in Fishing Creek Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania 718 ft (219 m) 41°08′50″N 76°17′15″W / 41.14727°N 76.28745°W |
| Length | 4.8 mi (7.7 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Pine Creek → Huntington Creek |
| Basin size | 7.15 sq mi (18.5 km2) |
Little Pine Creek is a small stream in Pennsylvania, USA. It flows through Luzerne County and Columbia County. This creek is about 4.8 miles (7.7 km) long. It eventually flows into Pine Creek. The area of land that drains into Little Pine Creek is about 7.15 square miles (18.5 km2). Many bridges cross the creek. Long ago, a special mill called a fulling mill used to operate here. Wild trout live in the waters of Little Pine Creek.
Contents
The Creek's Journey
Little Pine Creek starts in a wet area called Bear Swamp. This swamp is in northwestern Huntington Township, Luzerne County. The creek flows south-southeast for a short distance. It crosses Pennsylvania Route 239 and goes through a pond.
Next, the creek enters a place called New Columbus. It continues to flow south. As it moves, it gets closer to the border between Luzerne County and Columbia County. Along this part of its journey, two smaller streams join Little Pine Creek. Then, the creek leaves New Columbus and Luzerne County.
After leaving Luzerne County, Little Pine Creek enters Fishing Creek Township in Columbia County. It flows south for a short way. Then, it turns east-southeast briefly before turning south again. After a while, it turns east for a short distance. Then it turns southwest. After crossing Bendertown Road, the creek turns south-southeast. Finally, it curves eastwards for a short distance. This is where it meets Pine Creek. Little Pine Creek joins Pine Creek about 2.02 miles (3.25 km) before Pine Creek reaches its own mouth.
Land and Water Around the Creek
How High is the Creek?
The land where Little Pine Creek meets Pine Creek is about 718 feet (219 meters) above sea level. The very start of Little Pine Creek is even higher. It is just over 940 feet (287 meters) above sea level.
The Creek's Watershed
The watershed of Little Pine Creek covers an area of 7.15 square miles (18.5 km2). A watershed is all the land where water drains into a particular stream or river. Both the start and end points of the creek are found on the USGS Stillwater 7.5 minute quadrangle map.
History of Little Pine Creek
Naming the Creek
Little Pine Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of names for places in the United States. Its special ID number in the system is 1179634.
Old Mills and Waterways
In 1820, a man named Kennedy built a small fulling mill on Little Pine Creek. A fulling mill was a place where wool cloth was cleaned and thickened. However, this mill did not operate for a very long time.
On April 4, 1837, Little Pine Creek was officially made a public "highway." This meant it was recognized as a public waterway. This rule applied from its mouth in Columbia County all the way to New Columbus in Luzerne County.
Bridges Over the Creek
Many bridges have been built over Little Pine Creek over the years.
- In 1915, the Water Supply Commission of Pennsylvania approved a bridge. This bridge carried the Bendertown-Shickshinny Road over the creek.
- A new type of bridge, called a prestressed box beam bridge, was built in Columbia County in 1998. It carries State Route 1026 and is 66.9 feet (20.4 meters) long.
- An older masonry arch bridge was built in Luzerne County in 1927. This bridge carries T-486 (Valley View Road) and is 21.0 feet (6.4 meters) long.
- Another bridge, known as the bridge in Fishing Creek Township, was built over the creek in 1915.
Creek Life: Wild Trout
Trout Reproduction
Wild trout live in Little Pine Creek. These trout are special because they naturally reproduce in the creek. This means they lay their eggs and new trout hatch without human help. The creek is a healthy place for them to grow.
Wild Trout Streams
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission keeps a list of streams where wild trout live and reproduce. Little Pine Creek is proudly on this list. This shows that the creek's environment is good for these fish.
Images for kids
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A bridge over Little Pine Creek in 1982
