Mine Gap Run facts for kids

Mine Gap Run is a small stream in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. It flows into a larger stream called Catawissa Creek. This stream is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long. It flows through two areas: Roaring Creek Township and Beaver Township.

The land area that drains into Mine Gap Run, called its watershed, is about 0.92 square miles (2.4 km²). Sadly, the stream has some pollution and is a bit acidic. But it's still considered a good place for fish that like cold water. The ground around the stream is made of several types of rock. These include the Mauch Chunk Formation, Spechty Kopf Formation, Pocono Formation, and the Buddys Run Member of the Catskill Formation.

Where Mine Gap Run Flows

Mine Gap Run starts high up on Catawissa Mountain. It begins in a place called Roaring Creek Township. Soon after it starts, the stream crosses Mine Gap Road.

It then flows northeast through a valley. After a while, it turns north for a short distance. Then, it turns northeast again and enters Beaver Township. A bit further downstream, it meets up with Catawissa Creek. Mine Gap Run joins Catawissa Creek about 9.12 miles (14.68 km) before Catawissa Creek reaches its own end.

Stream Health and Water Quality

Mine Gap Run has some pollution. The water in the stream is acidic, which means it's not very fertile. The stream's pH level is 6.6. This number tells us how acidic or basic the water is. The amount of alkalinity in the water is 4 milligrams per liter.

Land and Rocks Around the Stream

The land around where Mine Gap Run ends is about 577 feet (176 m) above sea level. Where the stream begins, the land is much higher. It's between 1,300 feet (400 m) and 1,320 feet (400 m) above sea level.

The lower parts of Mine Gap Run flow over rocks from the Mauch Chunk Formation. The middle parts of the stream are on rocks from the Spechty Kopf Formation and the Pocono Formation. The very top parts of the stream flow over rocks from the Buddys Run Member of the Catskill Formation.

Mine Gap Run flows downhill quite steeply. It drops about 69.2 metres (227 ft) for every kilometer it flows. The stream itself is about 2.0 feet (0.61 m) wide.

The Stream's Watershed

The watershed of Mine Gap Run covers an area of 0.92 square miles (2.4 km²). Most of this watershed is in Roaring Creek Township. However, a small part of it is in Beaver Township. Some of the watershed is also located within Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 58. The entire watershed is shown on the Shumans United States Geological Survey map.

The middle parts of Mine Gap Run flow through forested land. But the upper and lower parts of the stream have agricultural land nearby. A large part of the stream is close to a road. About 72 percent of the stream is within 100 metres (330 ft) of a road. Even more, 80 percent of the stream is within 300 metres (980 ft) of a road. Almost all of it, 90 percent, is within 500 feet (150 m) of a road.

Name and Fun Activities

Mine Gap Run gets its name from mines that used to be in the area nearby.

In 1992, a report said that Mine Gap Run was not a good place for angling (fishing).

Fish and Wildlife

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection says Mine Gap Run is a cold water fishery. This means it's a good place for fish that like cold water. The water's chemistry is right for brook trout. It's similar to other streams where many wild brook trout live.

However, no fish have actually been seen in Mine Gap Run. The reason for this is not known. One idea is that all the fish might have died at some point. People have suggested adding fingerling brook trout to the stream. These are very young fish that would be stocked (released) into the stream.