Pikes Creek Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pikes Creek Reservoir |
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| Pike Creek Reservoir, Ceasetown Reservoir | |
 Pikes Creek Reservoir
Location in Pennsylvania
Pikes Creek Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Coordinates | 41°16′26″N 76°03′25″W / 41.274°N 76.057°W |
| Type | Potable water supply reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Pikes Creek |
| Primary outflows | Pikes Creek |
| Surface area | 397.6 acres (160.9 ha) |
| Water volume | 3,000,000,000 US gallons (11,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 1,060 feet (320 m) |
Pikes Creek Reservoir, also known as Pike Creek Reservoir or Ceasetown Reservoir, is a large reservoir (a man-made lake) in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA. It covers about 400 acres (160 hectares) and is located across three townships: Lehman, Jackson, and Plymouth. This important lake sits on Pikes Creek and holds about 3 billion gallons of water. It's mainly used to supply drinking water to many homes.
As of 2013, scientists found fifteen different kinds of fish living in the reservoir. The Pennsylvania-American Water Company owns the reservoir. However, you can still go fishing from the shoreline in special areas.
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About Pikes Creek Reservoir
The Pikes Creek Reservoir is located about 1,040 feet (317 meters) above sea level. It is built on Pikes Creek, which flows into and out of the reservoir. This lake is found within the United States Geological Survey area known as Harveys Lake. You can find the reservoir about 5 miles (8 kilometers) northwest of the city of Wilkes-Barre.
The reservoir has a surface area of about 397.6 acres (160.9 hectares). It usually holds around three billion gallons of water. You can find Pikes Creek Reservoir near Pennsylvania Route 29. A representative from Pennsylvania American Water has said that the reservoir is "a very good source, very good quality" for water. The company checks the Water quality of the reservoir every day.
History of the Reservoir
Pikes Creek Reservoir was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its special ID number in that system is 1183732. People also know it as Pike Creek Reservoir or Ceasetown Reservoir.
The reservoir has been around since at least the 1930s. Around 1932, 80 percent of the water supply ran out. This caused water limits to be put in place for the city of Wilkes-Barre. In 1998, the reservoir was opened for fishing, but with some rules.
As of 2013, the Pennsylvania-American Water Company owns Pikes Creek Reservoir. In the spring of 2013, scientists from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission studied the fish in the reservoir. The main reason for the reservoir is to provide drinking water. The Pennsylvania-American Water Company has a special building at the reservoir. It can clean 16 million gallons of water every day, but it usually cleans about 9 million gallons.
By 2010, Pikes Creek Reservoir was supplying water to 70,000 customers. These customers live in 14 different towns, from Shickshinny to Wilkes-Barre. A nearby stream called Harveys Creek can be used as an emergency water source during dry times. However, it hasn't been needed since about 2000.
Fish in Pikes Creek Reservoir
In 2013, biologists found fifteen different kinds of fish living in Pikes Creek Reservoir.
Predatory Fish
The most common predatory fish was the Largemouth bass. Scientists caught 105 of these bass, ranging from 2 to 19 inches (5 to 48 centimeters) long. Walleyes were also common, with 55 caught between 10 and 30 inches (25 and 76 centimeters) in length. Other predatory fish included chain pickerel (32 caught) and smallmouth bass (ten caught).
Panfish and Other Species
The most common fish overall was the bluegill. Scientists caught 106 bluegills, with sizes from 2 to 10 inches (5 to 25 centimeters). Other main panfish were black crappies and yellow perch. They caught 56 black crappies, measuring 8 to 15 inches (20 to 38 centimeters). Also, 43 yellow perch were caught, measuring 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 centimeters) long.
Other fish species found in the reservoir included white sucker (34 caught), brown bullhead (25 caught), and yellow bullhead (20 caught). Less common species were channel catfish (three caught), golden shiner (two caught), green sunfish (one caught), and bluespotted sunfish (one caught).
In 2009, the second-heaviest yellow perch ever reported was caught in Pikes Creek Reservoir. It was 15.5 inches (39 centimeters) long and weighed 34 ounces (0.96 kilograms).
Recreation at the Reservoir
The Pennsylvania-American Water Company allows people to fish from the shoreline at Pikes Creek Reservoir. However, you can only fish in certain areas. Other activities like ice fishing, boating, wading, and swimming are not allowed in the reservoir.
