Rock Creek (Tunkhannock Creek tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rock Creek |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | unnamed lake in Herrick Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania 1,960 feet (600 m) |
| River mouth | Tunkhannock Creek in Gibson Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania near Smiley 1,045 feet (319 m) 41°46′48″N 75°35′05″W / 41.78005°N 75.58483°W |
| Length | 3.8 miles (6.1 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Tunkhannock Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 3.76 square miles (9.7 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Rock Creek is a small stream, also called a tributary, located in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It flows into a larger stream called Tunkhannock Creek. Rock Creek is about 3.8 miles (6.1 km) long. It flows through three different areas: Herrick Township, Ararat Township, and Gibson Township.
The area of land that drains water into Rock Creek, known as its watershed, covers about 3.76 square miles (9.7 km2). This creek is special because it has no smaller streams with official names flowing into it. Also, it is considered a very clean and healthy stream, so it's not listed as an "impaired waterbody" (meaning it doesn't have serious pollution problems). Rock Creek is also known for having naturally reproducing wild trout, making it a "Class A Wild Trout Waters" area.
Contents
Where Does Rock Creek Flow?
Rock Creek starts in an unnamed lake in Herrick Township. From there, it flows generally towards the north-northeast for a short distance. Then, it enters Ararat Township.
The Journey Through Chipmunk Hollow
In Ararat Township, the creek turns and flows north-northwest. It then enters a valley known as Chipmunk Hollow. Here, a small, unnamed stream joins Rock Creek from its right side. The creek then turns to flow west-northwest for a little while.
Next, Rock Creek turns southwest and enters Gibson Township. In this area, two more unnamed streams join it from its left side, and the creek turns to flow west-northwest again. A bit further downstream, another unnamed stream joins from the right. Rock Creek then flows west for a short distance before leaving Chipmunk Hollow and turning south.
After flowing alongside Tunkhannock Creek for a while, Rock Creek enters a wetland area. It then turns southwest and finally meets Tunkhannock Creek. This meeting point is called a confluence.
Rock Creek is about 3.8 miles (6.1 km) long. It joins Tunkhannock Creek about 34.02 miles (54.75 km) upstream from where Tunkhannock Creek itself ends.
How Clean is Rock Creek's Water?
The water in Rock Creek is very clean and healthy. It is not listed as an "impaired waterbody," which means it does not have significant pollution issues. The water also has a natural level of minerals, called alkalinity, which is about 39 milligrams per liter (0.039 oz/cu ft). This helps keep the water balanced and healthy for the plants and animals living there.
What is the Land Around Rock Creek Like?
How High is the Creek?
The land where Rock Creek meets Tunkhannock Creek is about 1,045 feet (319 m) above sea level. Where Rock Creek begins, its source, the land is much higher, about 1,960 feet (600 m) above sea level. Rock Creek is described as a small stream.
What is the Ground Made Of?
The ground near the lower parts of Rock Creek is mostly made of flat areas formed by old river deposits (called alluvial terrace and alluvial fan) and fresh river mud (called alluvium).
Further upstream, the ground near the creek is mainly covered by a type of glacial dirt called till, specifically Wisconsinan Till. On the hills nearby, the main rock underneath is bedrock made of sandstone and shale. There are also small areas of river mud, some filled-in land, and a couple of lakes.
Life in and Around Rock Creek
The Creek's Watershed
The watershed of Rock Creek, which is the entire area of land that drains water into the creek, covers about 3.76 square miles (9.7 km2). The creek is entirely located within the Thompson map area of the United States Geological Survey. The mouth of Rock Creek is less than 1 mile (1.6 km) from a place called Smiley.
Willis Lake
There is a lake called Willis Lake at the very beginning of an unnamed stream that flows into Rock Creek. This lake is about 25.3 acres (10.2 ha) in size. It is usually about 21 feet (6.4 m) deep, but in some spots, it can be as deep as 30 feet (9.1 m). The lake holds a lot of water, about 113,000,000 US gallons (430,000 m3).
Wild Trout and Aquatic Life
Rock Creek is a special place for fish! Wild trout naturally reproduce in the creek, from where it starts all the way to where it joins Tunkhannock Creek. Because of this, the entire creek is officially called "Class A Wild Trout Waters." This means it's a very important habitat for these fish. The main purpose for protecting Rock Creek is to support aquatic life, which means all the plants and animals that live in the water.
A Look Back at Rock Creek's History
Rock Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its special identification number there is 1185249.
Interestingly, on a 1932 map from the United States Geological Survey, the creek was also known as Chipmunk Hollow. However, in 1968, a person named David G. Lappin tried to confirm this name, but everyone he asked in the area referred to it as Rock Creek.
A farm called Rock Creek Farm has been located along Rock Creek since at least the 1960s. In 1980, a concrete culvert bridge was built in Gibson Township. This bridge carries State Route 2036 over Rock Creek and is 22.0 feet (6.7 m) long.
