Lucky Run facts for kids

Lucky Run, also known as Lucky Run Creek, is a small stream in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Keyser Creek. This stream is about 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long. It runs through Ransom Township and Scranton.

The area of land that drains into Lucky Run is about 1.66 square miles (4.3 km²). It is a "Coldwater Fishery," meaning it is cool enough for fish like trout to live there. However, some of its water disappears into old underground mine tunnels. The land around the creek is used for forests, open spaces, and industrial areas. A fun place called McDade Park is also nearby.

Where Lucky Run Flows

Lucky Run starts high up on Bald Mountain in Ransom Township. It flows downhill towards the south-southeast. After a short distance, it turns southeast.

The stream then enters Scranton and crosses over Interstate 476. It leaves Bald Mountain behind. For a while, it flows southeast near the border between Scranton and Taylor. The stream then turns east for a bit before heading south. Finally, it meets Keyser Creek. Lucky Run joins Keyser Creek about 2.32 miles (3.73 km) before Keyser Creek reaches its own end.

Water and Flow

Lucky Run does not always have water flowing all the way through it. This is because some of its water sinks into old underground mine pools. Because of this, the stream might not be able to support all the plants and animals it should.

In 2006, a permit was given to allow some stormwater to flow into Lucky Run. This was for construction work. The stream also gets runoff from the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Land and Climate Around the Stream

The land around Lucky Run changes quite a bit. Near where Lucky Run meets Keyser Creek, the elevation is about 778 feet (237 m) above sea level. Where the stream begins, on Bald Mountain, the elevation is much higher, between 1,700 and 1,720 feet (520 and 520 m).

Lucky Run flows steeply in its upper parts. On West Mountain/Bald Mountain, it drops about 400 feet (120 m) for every mile it travels. But in the flatter Keyser Valley, it slows down. Here, it drops only about 40 feet (12 m) per mile.

Part of West Mountain/Bald Mountain is in the area that drains into Lucky Run. This mountain is very tall, reaching 2,000 to 2,300 feet (610 to 700 m) high. It is part of the Allegheny Front. The stream has shallow banks that have been fixed up with concrete and stone. It flows through ten pipes that are different sizes.

The water for Lucky Run comes from springs and wetlands on Bald Mountain. Some parts of the stream flow over land that was once heavily strip mined. A section of the stream was even removed by mining in the 1940s. Later, in the 1970s, a new channel lined with rocks was built for it.

In 2001, a plan suggested fixing up the stream channel of Lucky Run. This would be from McDade Park down to its mouth. At that time, a group was working to seal 800 feet (240 m) of the stream's bed. This was to stop water from leaking into a mine pool. About 45 percent of Lucky Run flows over hard, paved surfaces. There is also a lot of tree debris that changes the stream's path. Parts of the stream also experience erosion.

In May 2013, the temperature near Lucky Run was measured at 72 °F (22 °C).

Lucky Run's Watershed

The watershed of Lucky Run covers an area of 1.66 square miles (4.3 km²). A large part of this area is in Ransom Township. Smaller parts are in Scranton and Taylor. This watershed is in the southwestern part of the larger Lackawanna River watershed. Lucky Run is entirely within the Scranton area on United States Geological Survey maps.

Lucky Run is a "first-order" tributary of Keyser Creek. This means it is a small stream that flows directly into a larger one. The part of its watershed on West Mountain/Bald Mountain is mostly forested. Other areas are open spaces or industrial land. The stream's mouth is near an industrial park called Stauffer Industrial Park. Important roads in the watershed include Keyser Avenue and Park Edge Lane.

History of Lucky Run

Lucky Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of place names. Its special ID number there is 1199095.

A culvert (a tunnel for water) under Keyser Avenue in the Lucky Run watershed was repaired in 2013 and 2014.

Wildlife and Plants

Wild trout naturally live and reproduce in Lucky Run. They can be found from where the stream starts all the way to where it ends. The creek is officially called a Coldwater Fishery.

The area along the banks of Lucky Run, called the riparian area, does not have many trees. It has some forested land and grassy areas. The stream's bank is covered with a plant called knotweed.

Fun and Recreation

McDade Park, a county park, is located in the area that drains into Lucky Run. This park was created in the 1970s.

In 2001, a plan suggested creating a trail and greenway to connect the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail to McDade Park. This path would follow Lucky Run and Keyser Creek. Also, the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour site is very close to the stream.