Panther Creek (Spring Brook tributary) facts for kids

Panther Creek is a small stream, also called a tributary, that flows into Spring Brook. It is located in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The creek is about 2.7 miles (4.3 km) long. It flows through three different areas: Thornhurst Township, Clifton Township, and Spring Brook Township.

The area of land that drains water into Panther Creek, called its watershed, covers about 7.18 square miles (18.6 km²). Panther Creek has one main smaller stream that flows into it, which is called Painter Creek. The water in Panther Creek is very clean and healthy. It is known as "Class A Wild Trout Waters" because wild trout live and reproduce there naturally.

Where Panther Creek Flows

Panther Creek starts its journey west of a place called Panther Hill in Thornhurst Township. It flows north for a short distance. Then, it briefly passes through Clifton Township before entering Spring Brook Township.

The creek then turns to flow north-northeast, entering a small valley. After this, it turns north-northwest. Here, it meets Painter Creek, which flows into it from the left side. Finally, Panther Creek flows northwest for a bit more. It then joins Spring Brook, which is a larger stream.

Panther Creek joins Spring Brook about 10.40 miles (16.74 km) before Spring Brook reaches its own end.

Panther Creek's Tributary

Panther Creek has one named tributary, which is Painter Creek. Painter Creek flows into Panther Creek about 0.90 square miles (2.3 km²) upstream from where Panther Creek ends. The watershed for Painter Creek covers an area of about 4.51 square miles (11.7 km²).

Water Quality of Panther Creek

The water in Panther Creek is very clean. Scientists measure how much alkalinity is in the water. For Panther Creek, the alkalinity is 4 milligrams per liter. This measurement helps show how healthy the stream is.

Land and Rocks Around the Creek

The land around the end of Panther Creek is about 1,309 feet (399 m) above sea level. Where the creek begins, its source, the elevation is higher. It is between 1,900 and 1,920 feet (580 and 590 m) above sea level.

The ground and rocks along the lower parts of Panther Creek are made of alluvium (silt, sand, and gravel left by flowing water) and alluvial terrace (flat areas formed by old river deposits). A bit further from the creek, you can find bedrock. This bedrock contains different types of rocks like conglomeratic sandstone, sandstone, and shale. There is also a type of soil called Wisconsinan Till, which was left by glaciers. Further upstream, the bedrock is made of conglomerate, shale, and sandstone. Wisconsinan Till is also found in some of these areas.

Panther Creek's Watershed

The watershed of Panther Creek covers an area of 7.18 square miles (18.6 km²). This watershed is in the southwestern part of the larger Lackawanna River watershed. Most of it is in Spring Brook Township and Thornhurst Township. A small part is in Clifton Township, and an even smaller part is in Bear Creek Township in Luzerne County.

The end of Panther Creek is on the United States Geological Survey map called Moscow. However, the beginning of the creek is on the map called Avoca.

Most of Panther Creek, about 97 percent, is on public land. This means people can visit and enjoy it. The remaining 3 percent is on private land that is not open to the public. In 2002, a company called Theta Land Corp. made their land along the creek public. They leased it to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for a very small fee each year.

History and Fun Activities

Panther Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system helps keep track of names and locations of places.

The very first sawmill in Spring Brook Township was built near where Panther Creek joins Spring Brook. In the early 2000s, a plan for the Lackawanna River watershed suggested that Spring Brook Township should protect Panther Creek. They were advised to include this protection in their plans for land use and building rules.

You can go catch and release fishing along the entire length of Panther Creek. This means you can fish, but you must let the fish go afterward.

Wildlife in Panther Creek

Wild trout live and reproduce naturally in Panther Creek. They are found from the very beginning of the creek all the way to its end. Trout also live in Painter Creek, which is a tributary to Panther Creek. The entire length of Panther Creek is considered "Class A Wild Trout Waters" by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. This special classification is for brook trout, showing that the creek is a very important home for these fish.