Shingle Mill Run facts for kids

Shingle Mill Run is a small stream, also called a tributary, located in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. It flows into West Branch Fishing Creek. The stream is about 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long. It runs through Davidson Township.

The area of land that drains into Shingle Mill Run, called its watershed, covers about 2.60 square miles (6.7 km2). Shingle Mill Run has one main side stream, named Bearwallow Run. This stream is very special because it is called an "Exceptional Value stream." This means it has very clean water and is home to native trout.

Journey of the Stream: Shingle Mill Run's Course

Shingle Mill Run starts in a valley in Davidson Township. It flows towards the east for about one mile (1.6 km). As it flows, its valley gets deeper and deeper.

After a while, the stream turns to flow east-southeast. It then meets its first and only named side stream, Bearwallow Run. From there, Shingle Mill Run turns east again. It flows for almost another mile before leaving its valley. Finally, it joins West Branch Fishing Creek. Shingle Mill Run meets West Branch Fishing Creek about 7.84 miles (12.62 km) before West Branch Fishing Creek reaches its own end.

Side Streams: Shingle Mill Run's Tributaries

Shingle Mill Run has one named tributary, which is like a smaller stream that flows into it. This side stream is called Bearwallow Run.

Bearwallow Run joins Shingle Mill Run about 0.84 miles (1.35 km) before Shingle Mill Run ends. The land area that drains into Bearwallow Run is about 1.02 square miles (2.6 km2).

Water Quality: Shingle Mill Run's Hydrology

Shingle Mill Run is known for its very good water quality. A report from 1980 already noted how clean its water was.

Scientists measured the water temperature of Shingle Mill Run several times. This happened between June 2010 and April 2011. The water temperature changed with the seasons. It was warmest in June (58.5°F or 14.7°C) and coldest in January (32.6°F or 0.3°C).

The specific conductivity of the water was also checked. This measures how well water conducts electricity. It tells us how many dissolved salts and minerals are in the water. For Shingle Mill Run, the measurements were quite low, between 11 and 16 micro-siemens per centimeter. This also shows the water is very clean.

The pH level of the stream was measured too. pH tells us if water is acidic or basic. Shingle Mill Run's pH was between 5.17 and 6.07. This means the water is slightly acidic.

Land and Rocks: Shingle Mill Run's Geography and Geology

The place where Shingle Mill Run starts is high up, between 2,300 and 2,320 feet (700 and 707 meters) above sea level. Where it joins West Branch Fishing Creek, the elevation is 1,572 feet (479 meters).

Shingle Mill Run flows down a steep slope. This is why it is called a "High-Gradient Clearwater Creek." It is located near a large hill called North Mountain.

Near the lower parts of the stream, the ground is covered with large rocks. These rocks are called Boulder Colluvium. They are mostly made of quartz, sandstone, or a mix of rocks called conglomerate. Further upstream, in the middle part of the stream, you can find solid rock layers. These layers, called bedrock, are made of shale and sandstone. The very start of the stream also has these large boulders.

The Stream's Home: Shingle Mill Run's Watershed

The watershed of Shingle Mill Run covers an area of 2.60 square miles (6.7 km2). This is the entire area of land where all the rain and snow melt eventually flow into Shingle Mill Run.

The end of the stream is located in an area mapped by the United States Geological Survey called Elk Grove. However, the stream's beginning is in a different mapped area called Sonestown. Shingle Mill Run is in the southern part of Davidson Township. It is also found within Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 13, which is a large area of land set aside for wildlife. The stream is about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of the village of Elk Grove.

Shingle Mill Run is special because it is the only named side stream that flows into West Branch Fishing Creek from the right side. It can be a bit tricky to get to Shingle Mill Run.

Past Times: Shingle Mill Run's History

Shingle Mill Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of all the names of places in the United States. Its special ID number in this system is 1193346.

In 2001, a study of natural areas in Sullivan County suggested that Shingle Mill Run should be looked at more closely. Later, in 2010 and 2011, scientists measured the stream's water temperature, pH, and specific conductivity. This was part of a bigger study called the Fishing Creek Watershed Study.

Life in the Water: Shingle Mill Run's Biology

The entire area that drains into Shingle Mill Run is called an "Exceptional Value stream." This is the highest level of protection for water quality. It means the water is super clean and important for nature. The stream is also a "Migratory Fishery," which means it's a good place for fish that travel.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection says this stream is perfect for aquatic life. This means it's a healthy home for all the plants and animals that live in the water. You can find native trout living in Shingle Mill Run.

At the very start of Shingle Mill Run, there is a conifer swamp. This swamp is a special wet area with evergreen trees. It might be a home for rare plants and animals.