Pancoast Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pancoast Creek |
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|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Trib 28544 Of Lackawanna River |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Bell Mountain in Dickson City, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania between 1,580 and 1,600 feet (480 and 490 m) |
| River mouth | Price Creek in Dickson City, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania 751 ft (229 m) 41°27′33″N 75°37′17″W / 41.45907°N 75.62130°W |
| Length | 2.0 mi (3.2 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Price Creek → Lackawanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 0.880 sq mi (2.28 km2) |
Pancoast Creek is a small stream located in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is also known as Trib 28544 Of Lackawanna River. This creek flows into Price Creek.
Pancoast Creek is about 2.0 miles (3.2 km) long. It flows through the town of Dickson City. The area of land that drains into the creek, called its watershed, is about 0.880 square miles (2.28 km2). Historically, the creek's water quality was impacted by runoff and waste.
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Where Does Pancoast Creek Flow?
Pancoast Creek starts high up on Bell Mountain in Dickson City. From its source, it flows mostly south for about a mile. Along the way, it gets water from a smaller stream that joins it from the left side.
After this, the creek turns to flow south-southwest. Then, for a short distance, it turns southeast. Finally, Pancoast Creek meets and joins Price Creek.
What is the Water Like in Pancoast Creek?
Years ago, in the early 1900s, Pancoast Creek was different from Price Creek. It did not have coal waste, called culm, in its waters. However, the creek's water was discolored. This was due to surface water runoff and waste entering the stream.
At one time, the local government of Dickson City asked for permission. They wanted to release stormwater into Pancoast Creek. Studies in the mid-20th century looked at how much surface water seeped into old mine workings near the creek. They also estimated how much water from the streambed seeped into these mines.
Geography and Land Around Pancoast Creek
The land around Pancoast Creek varies in height. Where the creek joins Price Creek, its elevation is about 751 feet (229 m) above sea level. Up at its source on Bell Mountain, the elevation is much higher. It is between 1,580 and 1,600 feet (480 and 490 m) above sea level.
A study from the mid-20th century found something interesting. A significant part of the land that drains into Pancoast Creek sits on coal measures. These are layers of rock that contain coal. About 0.563 square miles (1.46 km2) of the watershed is on these coal measures. Also, about 10,600 feet (3,200 m) of the creek's length flows over these coal-rich areas.
You can find several wetland areas near Pancoast Creek. Wetlands are important areas where water covers the soil. A 100-year floodplain is also found near the middle parts of the creek. This is an area that could be flooded once every 100 years on average. The creek also flows under several streets and roads. This includes a part of U.S. Route 6.
Pancoast Creek's Watershed
The watershed of Pancoast Creek covers an area of 0.880 square miles (2.28 km2). This is the entire land area where all the rain and snowmelt drain into the creek. The mouth of Pancoast Creek is located in the Olyphant area. However, its source is in the Scranton area.
Pancoast Creek is officially named a Coldwater Fishery. This means it is a stream that is cold enough to support fish that prefer cold water.
History of Pancoast Creek
Pancoast Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on January 1, 1990. This system keeps track of names for places in the United States. The creek was included because it appeared on a map published in 1984. As mentioned, it is also known by its other name, "Trib 28544 Of Lackawanna River."
