Mountain Lake Run facts for kids

Mountain Lake Run is a small stream, also called a tributary, located in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It flows into another stream called Stafford Meadow Brook.

This stream is a bit longer than 0.8 miles (1.3 km) and runs through the city of Scranton. The area of land that drains into Mountain Lake Run is about 2 square miles (5.2 km²). A lake called Mountain Lake, which has a dam, is also part of this area.

While some parts of the stream flow underground in pipes, its upper sections are natural and surrounded by forests.

Where Does Mountain Lake Run Flow?

Mountain Lake Run starts near Mountain Lake in Scranton. From there, it flows downhill past the Mattes Community Center.

Eventually, the stream goes into a large underground pipe system, called a culvert. It stays in this culvert for much of its journey.

After crossing under Interstate 81, the stream turns southwest. It then crosses several streets before turning northwest. A short distance later, it joins with Stafford Meadow Brook.

What Is the Land Around the Stream Like?

The land near where Mountain Lake Run joins Stafford Meadow Brook is about 801 feet (244 m) above sea level.

Where Mountain Lake Run flows naturally, it is usually 2 to 3 feet (0.61 to 0.91 m) wide. The edges of the stream, called streambanks, are not very deep, about 2 feet (0.61 m). You can also see many rock ledges and small splash pools in these areas.

About 30 percent of the stream flows over surfaces that water cannot soak into. These are called impervious surfaces, like roads or buildings.

You can find old stone walls from the 1930s near the stream. These were built by a program called the Works Progress Administration. The stream also flows through its underground culvert system for a long way, starting below Wintermantle Avenue. This culvert system also goes under Interstate 81 and Moltke Avenue.

What Is a Watershed and Why Is It Important?

The watershed of Mountain Lake Run is the entire area of land where water drains into this stream. It covers about 2 square miles (5.2 km²). Mountain Lake Run is considered a "first-order" stream, meaning it's a small stream that doesn't have other streams flowing into it yet.

The entire stream is located within the Scranton area, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The land in the watershed has different uses. There are homes, open spaces, and some forested areas. Most of the forests have native mixed hardwood trees. However, some parts of the upper stream area have been affected by coal mining.

The upper parts of the watershed are still undeveloped. But there are neighborhoods like Mountain Lake Estates, Robinson Park, and Bolus subdivision within the watershed.

A pond called Mountain Lake is located in the upper part of the watershed. It is about 2 acres (0.81 ha) in size and is fed by natural springs. In the late 1800s, a company built a small dam, called an impoundment berm, at the lake.

A Look Back: History of Mountain Lake Run

Mountain Lake Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on January 1, 1990. This system keeps track of names for places like rivers and mountains. The stream was added because it appeared on a map published in 1984.

An old railway line, the Erie and Wyoming Valley Railroad, also runs through the stream's watershed. Around 1938, the Works Progress Administration built stone walls and culverts near the Mattes Community Center along the stream.

In 2013, there was an idea to bring parts of Mountain Lake Run back to the surface. This process is called daylighting. It was suggested that this could happen while widening Interstate 81. However, it was noted that it might be too expensive.

What Plants Grow Along the Stream?

The area right next to Mountain Lake Run, called the riparian area, is home to many native plants. These include trees like red oak, witch hazel, and mountain laurel.

You can also find small patches of meadow land. These meadows have native grasses and other plants like little bluestem.