Little Roaring Brook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Roaring Brook |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Marshwood Reservoir in Olyphant, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania between 1,520 and 1,540 feet (460 and 470 m) |
| River mouth | Roaring Brook in Dunmore, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania 1,010 ft (310 m) 41°24′52″N 75°36′35″W / 41.41446°N 75.60966°W |
| Length | 3.4 mi (5.5 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Roaring Brook → Lackawanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 3.06 sq mi (7.9 km2) |
Little Roaring Brook is a small stream in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Roaring Brook. The stream is about 3.4 miles (5.5 km) long. It passes through the towns of Olyphant, Throop, and Dunmore.
The area that drains into Little Roaring Brook is called its watershed. This watershed covers about 3.06 square miles (7.9 km2). It includes three important reservoirs: Dunmore Reservoir Number One, Marshwood Reservoir, and Dunmore Reservoir Number Three.
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Where Does Little Roaring Brook Flow?
Little Roaring Brook starts at the Marshwood Reservoir in Olyphant. It flows generally southwest. The stream then enters Throop and moves into a valley. After that, it turns south and then southwest, entering Dunmore.
The brook continues southwest for almost a mile. It then flows into Dunmore Reservoir Number One. From the reservoir, it flows northwest. It crosses under Interstate 380. Finally, the stream turns southeast and flows down a steep hill. It then joins Roaring Brook. Little Roaring Brook meets Roaring Brook about 4.70 miles (7.56 km) before Roaring Brook reaches its own end.
Does Little Roaring Brook Have Tributaries?
Little Roaring Brook does not have any named smaller streams flowing into it. However, it does have three unnamed streams that join it.
What is the Water Quality of Little Roaring Brook?
Little Roaring Brook carries a lot of sediment, which is like dirt and small rocks. In some places, you might also see trash and other debris along the stream banks.
The amount of water flowing in the stream can change a lot. For example, there is a 10 percent chance that the stream's flow will reach 750 cubic feet per second in any given year. This means it could get very full after heavy rains.
What is the Land Like Around Little Roaring Brook?
The land around the stream is varied. Near where Little Roaring Brook joins Roaring Brook, the elevation is about 1,010 feet (310 m) above sea level. Near where the stream starts, the elevation is higher, between 1,520 and 1,540 feet (460 and 470 m).
There is a beautiful waterfall called Little Roaring Brook Falls in Dunmore. In some parts, the stream flows through an open concrete channel. In other areas, it has natural, shallow banks.
The soil along Little Roaring Brook is often stony. It is made of silt and loam. The ground near the stream's lower parts includes urban land (areas with buildings and roads). It also has bedrock made of sandstone and shale. Further upstream, there is less urban land. You can find bedrock and areas where mining has happened. Near the start of the stream, there are also wetlands.
Little Roaring Brook flows through eight pipes. These pipes help the water pass under roads or other structures. Their sizes range from 6 to 24 inches (15 to 61 cm) across.
Who Uses the Land Around Little Roaring Brook?
The watershed of Little Roaring Brook covers about 3.06 square miles (7.9 km2). Most of this area is in Dunmore and Throop. Smaller parts are in Olyphant and Roaring Brook Township.
There are two main reservoirs on Little Roaring Brook itself. The Dunmore Reservoir Number One is 24 acres. The Marshwood Reservoir is 40 acres. Another reservoir, Dunmore Reservoir Number Three (9 acres), is on one of the stream's unnamed tributaries. These reservoirs are important for water supply.
The areas along the stream, called the riparian area, are mostly covered with trees. Major roads like Interstate 84, Interstate 380, and US Route 6 cross the watershed. There are also homes and businesses in the area. In the past, a lot of strip mining took place along the stream in Throop.
What is the History of Little Roaring Brook?
Little Roaring Brook was officially named in 1979. It has also been known as Little Roaring Creek.
Archaeologists have found signs of prehistoric human activity along the stream. This means people lived here a very long time ago.
As early as 1908, plans were made for reservoirs on Little Roaring Brook. These reservoirs were built to help provide water for the Dunmore area. The Dunmore Water Company owned a reservoir on the stream in the early 1900s. The Pennsylvania Coal Company also owned land along the stream in the past.
A concrete bridge carrying Interstate 84 over Little Roaring Brook was built in 1961. It was repaired in 1996. This bridge is 21.0 feet (6.4 m) long and is in Dunmore.
In 1996, a project was approved to help manage waste and control flooding along Little Roaring Brook and Roaring Brook. In the early 2000s, experts suggested that Dunmore should protect Little Roaring Brook in their town planning. There have also been ideas to create a greenway along the stream. A greenway is a natural area or path that helps connect communities and protect nature.
