Saint Johns Creek (Pennsylvania) facts for kids

Saint Johns Creek (also known as St Johns Creek or Ascension Brook) is a tributary (a smaller stream that flows into a larger one) of the Lackawanna River in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is about 6.4 miles (10.3 km) long. The creek flows through Ransom Township, Taylor, and Old Forge. The area of land that drains into the creek, called its watershed, is 7.20 square miles (18.6 km²).

Saint Johns Creek is a special type of stream called a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's usually cold enough for certain fish and is a path for fish that travel. However, the creek has some problems. It is considered "impaired," which means its water quality isn't as good as it should be. This is due to changes in its flow and too much silt and dirt building up. It's also an "intermittent stream," meaning it sometimes dries up. In the past, there were two "Superfund sites" (places needing environmental cleanup) along the creek. Many bridges cross the creek, and a railroad used to run through its watershed.

Where Does Saint Johns Creek Flow?

Saint Johns Creek starts on Pinnacle Rock in Ransom Township. It flows east for a short distance, then turns southeast. It then flows south and enters the town of Taylor.

In Taylor, the creek turns southeast again. After a short distance, it turns south-southeast and then southwest, flowing through a pond. It then turns west before an unnamed stream joins it from the right side. The creek then turns south.

After a bit, it turns south-southwest, crossing a highway (Route 476, the PA Turnpike). Another unnamed stream joins it from the right. The creek then turns south-southeast and goes through another pond. It then turns southwest for a few miles, entering Old Forge. A third unnamed stream joins it from the right.

Finally, the creek turns south, then west, and then south again. A short distance later, it joins the Lackawanna River. Saint Johns Creek meets the Lackawanna River about 2.60 miles (4.18 km) upstream from where the Lackawanna River ends.

Streams That Join Saint Johns Creek

Saint Johns Creek doesn't have any officially named smaller streams that flow into it. However, some local streams like Race Brook and Sawmill Creek join it. It also has three unnamed streams that flow into it.

Water Quality and Flow of the Creek

Saint Johns Creek has problems with its water quality. The main issues are changes in how the water flows and too much silt and dirt building up. These problems are likely caused by water from old, abandoned mines.

The creek often loses its water because of cracks in the ground. These cracks are caused by the ground sinking due to old mining tunnels underneath. Because of this, the creek is usually dry except during and right after it rains. This is why it's called an intermittent stream. When it does have water, a lot of it comes from untreated wastewater. The creek also loses water to a nearby landfill.

The end of Saint Johns Creek is close to the Old Forge Borehole. This is a big source of acid mine drainage, which is polluted water from mines. Some polluted liquid from landfills also seeps into the creek. A company called Environmental & Recycling Services, Inc. has permission to release stormwater (rainwater runoff) into Saint Johns Creek.

Land and Rocks Around the Creek

The land around the mouth (end) of Saint Johns Creek is about 568 feet (173 m) above sea level. Near where the creek starts, the land is much higher, between 1,800 and 1,820 feet (550 and 550 m) above sea level.

There are three special chambers along Saint Johns Creek and its smaller streams. These are called "combined sewer overflow" diversion chambers, which help manage water flow. You can find the remains of old water systems along Race Brook. Sawmill Brook flows in an artificial channel (a man-made path). Saint Johns Creek itself has also been straightened or changed in some places.

The creek begins high up on West Mountain from springs. It flows steeply downhill at first. Then, it enters a flatter area near Keyser Avenue, which is like a floodplain (a flat area next to a river that might flood).

The area around Saint Johns Creek has large piles of culm (waste coal) and silt. These are leftover from mining activities in the past.

The Creek's Watershed

The watershed (the entire area of land where water drains into the creek) of Saint Johns Creek covers 7.20 square miles (18.6 km²). This watershed is in the southwestern part of the larger Lackawanna River watershed. It includes parts of Old Forge, Taylor, and Ransom Township, and a tiny bit of Newton Township.

The Race Brook Falls are located within the Saint Johns Creek watershed. The Old Forge High School Campus and the Eagle McLure Fire Company grounds are also in this area. The Lackawanna Refuse Site (a landfill) is in the flat area near the creek and the Lackawanna River. In 1985, the creek flowed past two "Superfund sites" (places needing environmental cleanup). At least one of these sites was cleaned up in the 1980s.

If there was a very big flood (like a "500-year flood," which means a flood so big it only happens about once every 500 years), the creek in Old Forge might flow out of its usual path and into a low-lying area near Connell Street.

The main purpose or "designated use" of Saint Johns Creek is to support aquatic life (plants and animals that live in water).

History of Saint Johns Creek

Saint Johns Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System (a database of place names) on August 2, 1979. Its special ID number is 1186170. The creek is also known as Ascension Brook. This name appeared on a map published in 1984.

A concrete bridge was built over Saint Johns Creek in Old Forge in 1940. It is 25.9 feet (7.9 m) long and carries State Route 3011/Keyser Avenue. Another concrete bridge was built across the creek in Taylor in 1957 and fixed in 1995. It is 23.0 feet (7.0 m) long and also carries State Route 3011. The Lehigh Valley Railroad used to have tracks that passed through the creek's watershed.

Saint Johns Creek caused damage to its banks during floods in Old Forge in 1985 and 1996.

There are plans to build a new water control system (called an Eagle Hose Co. CSO Regulator) near Saint Johns Creek. The Lackawanna River Watershed Conservation Plan suggests creating greenways (natural areas or trails) and connecting paths along the creek.

Wildlife and Fish in the Creek

The entire area that drains into Saint Johns Creek is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's meant to be a good place for cold-water fish and for fish that travel. In the past, it was called a Warmwater Fishery, meaning it was suitable for fish that prefer warmer water.

However, because Saint Johns Creek often dries up and doesn't have a steady flow of water, it cannot support any fish or other aquatic wildlife.

Fun and Recreation Near the Creek

The Connells Patch Softball Complex is located in the watershed of Saint Johns Creek. As of 2001, there were also plans to develop the Sibley Avenue recreation site and the Milwaukee Avenue soccer field in the area around the creek.