Roaring Brook (Lackawanna River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roaring Brook |
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1898–1905 depiction of the Nay Aug Falls on Roaring Brook
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| Other name(s) | Roaring Branch Creek, Roaring Creek, Nay-aug |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | small wetland in Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania between 1,940 and 1,960 feet (590 and 600 m) |
| River mouth | Lackawanna River in Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania 659 ft (201 m) 41°24′07″N 75°40′24″W / 41.4019°N 75.6733°W |
| Length | 21 mi (34 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Lackawanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 56.3 sq mi (146 km2) |
| Tributaries | |
Roaring Brook is a cool stream in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It's also known as Roaring Branch Creek or Roaring Creek. Long ago, it was called Nay-aug, which means "roaring" in a Native American language. This stream is about 21 miles (34 km) long. It flows through several towns like Moscow and Scranton.
The area around Roaring Brook, called its watershed, covers about 56 square miles (146 km²). Many smaller streams flow into it, including Little Roaring Brook and Bear Brook. For most of its journey, the water in Roaring Brook is very clean. However, closer to cities, it can be affected by old mining areas and stormwater runoff. The stream also flows through the amazing Nay Aug Gorge and over the Nay Aug Falls. These falls are so special they are on the National Register of Geologic Landmarks!
People use the land around Roaring Brook in many ways. There are forests, farms, and developed areas like towns. Major roads like Interstate 84 also cross the watershed. Long ago, in the late 1700s, people built mills and forges (places to work with metal) along the stream. Later, in the 1800s, the area became important for coal and iron mining. Many bridges, including the historic Harrison Avenue Bridge, cross Roaring Brook.
Roaring Brook is a great place for fish. It's known as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery. This means its cold, clean water is perfect for fish like trout. Some parts are even special "Class A Wild Trout Waters." This means wild trout naturally live and reproduce there. Scientists have also found many tiny water creatures, called macroinvertebrates, in the stream. These creatures help show how healthy the water is.
Contents
Where Roaring Brook Flows
Roaring Brook starts in a small wet area in Covington Township. This is close to the border of Lackawanna County and Wayne County. It flows west, then turns northwest. Along its path, it picks up water from other smaller streams.
One of the first streams it meets is Lake Run. Then, it flows into the Hollister Reservoir. Here, another stream called East Branch Roaring Brook joins it. After the reservoir, Roaring Brook continues north. It flows along the edge of Covington and Madison Townships. It also flows next to Pennsylvania Route 435.
The stream then enters the town of Moscow. Here, Bear Brook and Van Brunt Creek add their waters to Roaring Brook. It keeps flowing north and soon enters the Elmhurst Reservoir. After this, it passes through Elmhurst Township. Here, White Oak Run joins the stream.
Roaring Brook continues its journey, crossing Pennsylvania Route 435 again. Its valley gets much deeper and narrower. It flows alongside Pennsylvania Route 435 for a while. Then, it briefly enters Dunmore before turning northwest again. It passes through the Scranton Water Company Reservoir. Here, Little Roaring Brook joins it.
Finally, Roaring Brook turns southwest and flows through the amazing Nay Aug Gorge. It passes over the Nay Aug Falls. After crossing US Route 11, it reaches its end. It flows into the Lackawanna River in Scranton. Roaring Brook is about 21 miles (34 km) long in total.
Streams Joining Roaring Brook
Roaring Brook has eight named smaller streams that flow into it. These are:
- Lake Run
- East Branch Roaring Brook
- Bear Brook
- Van Brunt Creek
- Kellum Creek
- White Oak Run
- Rock Bottom Creek
- Little Roaring Brook
These smaller streams add water to Roaring Brook along its journey.
Water Quality and Features
The water in Roaring Brook is generally very good. But in the lower parts of the stream, it can be affected by city stormwater and old mining areas. Stormwater is rain that runs off streets and buildings. This water can carry pollution into the stream.
In the past, waste from coal mines polluted the stream. Today, most of the stormwater comes from the sewer systems in Scranton and Dunmore. Some highways also add stormwater to the brook.
The water temperature of Roaring Brook changes with the seasons. It can be very cold, close to freezing, in winter. In summer, it can warm up to about 77°F (25°C).
Land and Geology
Roaring Brook starts high up, about 1940 to 1960 feet (591 to 597 meters) above sea level. It ends much lower, at about 659 feet (201 meters) above sea level. This means the stream drops a lot in height as it flows. An old book from 1885 said Roaring Brook was "the noisiest tributary of the Lackawanna."
The stream begins on the Pocono Plateau. It then cuts through a gap in the Moosic Mountains. This area has many waterfalls and fast-moving water. The most famous is the Nay Aug Falls. The stream flows through the Nay Aug Gorge, a deep canyon. The waterfall is about 22 feet (7 meters) high. It cuts through soft rock and flows over harder rock.
The upper parts of the Roaring Brook watershed have rolling hills. But the lower parts are mountainous. They have steep, high hills and a narrow valley. The stream's path is winding. In its lower parts, it flows through a concrete channel. This channel helps control floods.
The rocks along Roaring Brook are made of sandstone, shale, and conglomerate. Some coal can also be found. In the Nay Aug Gorge, the stream has carved out cliffs that are over 100 feet (30 meters) high!
The Roaring Brook Watershed
The watershed of Roaring Brook covers about 56 square miles (146 km²). Most of this area is in Lackawanna County. A small part is in Wayne County. Roaring Brook is the biggest stream that flows into the Lackawanna River.
Most of the land in the upper watershed is covered by forests (70%). About 20% is farmland, and 10% is developed land like towns. There are also old mining areas. Major roads like Interstate 380 and Interstate 84 pass through the watershed. The University of Scranton is also located near the stream.
Some parts of the watershed have wetlands, like the Freytown and Hollister swamps. These wet areas are important for wildlife. Roaring Brook can sometimes cause flooding in towns like Dunmore and Elmhurst Township.
History of Roaring Brook
Roaring Brook has been known by its current name since 1979. But it was also called Roaring Creek or Roaring Branch Creek. Its oldest name, Nay-aug, comes from a Native American language. It means "roaring," which fits the stream's noisy waterfalls!
Long ago, a Native American village called Capoose was near where Roaring Brook meets the Lackawanna River. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, settlers built mills along the stream. These mills used the stream's power to grind grain or saw wood. In 1799, the Slocum family built a forge to work with iron.
In the 1800s, the area became a big center for coal and iron. The Lackawanna Coal and Iron Company had furnaces near the stream. Railroads were also built along Roaring Brook. The stream was even used to supply water to the city of Scranton.
Many bridges have been built over Roaring Brook over the years. The Harrison Avenue Bridge in Scranton is very special. It's on the National Register of Historic Places. This bridge is a symbol of Scranton's growth in the early 1900s.
In 1955, a big flood from Hurricane Diane caused a lot of damage in Dunmore. Roaring Brook overflowed its banks. To help prevent future floods, the stream's channel was straightened in some parts in 1960.
Today, there are many historic places near Roaring Brook. These include the Scranton Iron Furnaces, which are a state historic site.
Animals and Plants
Wild trout live and reproduce naturally in Roaring Brook. The stream is a "High-Quality Coldwater Fishery." This means it's a great home for cold-water fish. Some parts are even special "Class A Wild Trout Waters" for brook trout and brown trout.
Long ago, animals like wolves, bears, and panthers lived near Roaring Brook. Today, you might still see bears!
Scientists have studied the tiny creatures living in Roaring Brook. These include many types of macroinvertebrates like mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies. Finding these creatures tells us the water is healthy.
The wetlands around Roaring Brook are home to special trees. These include black spruce, paper birch, and tamarack. You can also find interesting plants like mountain laurel and pitcher plant in these wet areas. The Nay Aug Gorge has old forests with oak, pine, and hemlock trees.
Fun Things to Do
There are plans to create a greenway and walking trails along Roaring Brook. This would connect to the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Imagine walking or biking along the stream!
You can also visit Nay Aug Park in Scranton. This park is 142 acres (57 hectares) and was founded in 1893. It used to have a wooden roller coaster and a small zoo. The zoo reopened in 2003! There are also ball fields near where the stream meets the Lackawanna River.
