North Branch Bowman Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Branch Bowman Creek |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | wetland in Fairmount Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania between 2,240 and 2,260 feet (683 and 689 m) |
| River mouth | Bowman Creek at Mountain Springs in Ross Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania 1,837 ft (560 m) 41°20′26″N 76°13′14″W / 41.34060°N 76.22065°W |
| Length | 3.2 mi (5.1 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Bowman Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 2.63 sq mi (6.8 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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The North Branch Bowman Creek is a small stream in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It flows into another stream called Bowman Creek. This creek is about 3.2 miles (5.1 kilometers) long.
The North Branch Bowman Creek flows through two areas: Fairmount Township and Ross Township. The land area that drains into this creek is about 2.63 square miles (6.81 square kilometers). This creek is considered a clean and healthy waterway. Most of the creek runs through Pennsylvania State Game Lands and Ricketts Glen State Park.
The area around North Branch Bowman Creek is a special place for fish. It is known as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's a great home for fish that like cold water and for fish that travel. People used to stock the creek with fish, but it also has wild trout living there naturally. There's even a hiking trail nearby where you can explore! An 11-acre (4.5-hectare) natural lake is also found along the creek.
Contents
Journey of the Creek
North Branch Bowman Creek starts in a wet, marshy area in Fairmount Township. It first flows northeast for a short distance. Then, it turns to flow south-southeast, entering Ross Township.
As it continues, the creek turns southeast. It passes through another wet area and gets water from a small stream joining it from the left. After that, it turns south-southwest. Another small stream joins it from the right. The creek then flows south-southeast into a narrow valley. Finally, it turns south and then southeast, leaving its valley. A short distance later, it meets the South Branch Bowman Creek. When these two streams meet, they form the main Bowman Creek.
North Branch Bowman Creek joins Bowman Creek about 26.13 miles (42.05 kilometers) upstream from where Bowman Creek ends.
Water Quality
North Branch Bowman Creek is a very clean stream. It is not listed as a polluted or "impaired" waterway. In the past, around the 1980s, people thought the creek might become too acidic. However, it remains a healthy stream today.
Landscape and Rocks
The land around the mouth of North Branch Bowman Creek is about 1,837 feet (560 meters) above sea level. Where the creek begins, its elevation is even higher, between 2,240 and 2,260 feet (683 and 689 meters) above sea level.
Near the lower parts of the creek, the ground is made of alluvial fan and alluvium. These are deposits left by flowing water. Further upstream, in the creek's valley, you can find large boulders. These boulders are made of rocks like sandstone and conglomerate. This type of rocky ground is special because it's only found in a few places in this area.
Some parts of the valley also have exposed bedrock. This bedrock is made of sandstone and shale. Most of the other ground along the creek is covered by a type of soil called till. You can also find wetlands and peat bogs, which are very wet areas with lots of decaying plants.
Creek's Home Area
The entire area that collects water for North Branch Bowman Creek is called its watershed. This watershed covers about 2.63 square miles (6.81 square kilometers). The end of the creek is located near a place called Mountain Springs.
There is a natural lake on North Branch Bowman Creek. In the early 1900s, this lake was known as Bowmans Pond or Bean Pond. It covers about 11 acres (4.5 hectares) of water.
For most of its journey, North Branch Bowman Creek flows through protected lands. These include Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 57 and Ricketts Glen State Park. The very end of the creek is on land owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Fun Activities and History
A hiking trail in Ricketts Glen State Park follows North Branch Bowman Creek for a short distance. This trail offers a great way to see the creek up close. There is also a road nearby called Mountain Springs Road.
In the past, people used to stock North Branch Bowman Creek with trout. This means they would release young trout into the creek to help the fish population grow. Stocking happened as early as 1952. For example, in 1969, 350 brook trout were planned for release. However, stocking was stopped in 1978. By 1984, a newspaper reported that stocking was no longer taking place there.
Wildlife in the Creek
The North Branch Bowman Creek watershed is a special place for fish. It is designated as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's a healthy environment for fish that prefer cold water, and it supports fish that travel between different water bodies.
Wild trout naturally live and reproduce in this creek. They can be found from the very beginning of the creek all the way down to where it joins Bowman Creek.
