Somer Brook facts for kids

Somer Brook, sometimes called Somers Brook, is a small river that flows into Mehoopany Creek. It's located in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, USA. This brook is about 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long. It travels through two areas: Noxen Township and Forkston Township. The land area that drains into Somer Brook is about 4.48 square miles (11.6 km²). It's known for having very clean water. It's also a great place for coldwater fish, like trout, to live. Animals like northern water shrews and trout have been seen near the brook.

Where Does Somer Brook Flow?

Somer Brook starts high up on South Mountain in Noxen Township. It begins in a wetland, which is a marshy area. The brook then flows generally northwest. It winds through a few more wetlands. After a while, it enters Forkston Township. The brook then flows through a valley. It gradually turns north and then north-northeast. Finally, Somer Brook reaches the end of its valley. It then joins Mehoopany Creek. This meeting point is about 13.04 miles (20.99 km) upstream from where Mehoopany Creek ends.

How Clean Is Somer Brook's Water?

Somer Brook is known for its very clean water. It is not listed as a polluted water body. In 1995, scientists took measurements of the water. They found that the water was cool and healthy. The water's pH was slightly acidic. This is normal for many streams in this area. The amount of dissolved oxygen was good. This means there is enough oxygen for fish and other aquatic life to breathe.

What Is the Land Around Somer Brook Like?

The land around Somer Brook is quite high up. The brook's starting point is about 2,186 feet (666 m) above sea level. Where it joins Mehoopany Creek, the elevation is about 1,142 feet (348 m) above sea level. Somer Brook is one of five large brooks. These brooks flow down from a tall, flat-topped mountain. This mountain separates the areas of Mehoopany Creek and Bowman Creek. Somer Brook is the second of these brooks. In the late 1800s, people thought there might be coal near where Somer Brook starts.

What Is Somer Brook's Watershed?

The watershed of Somer Brook covers an area of 4.48 square miles (11.6 km²). A watershed is all the land where water drains into a specific stream. Somer Brook is entirely within the Dutch Mountain quadrangle. This is a map area used by the United States Geological Survey. The mouth of the brook is near Kasson Brook. The main purpose of this stream is to support aquatic life.

History and Fun Activities at Somer Brook

Somer Brook was officially named on August 2, 1979. Its official ID number is 1199559. It is also known as Somers Brook. This other name appears on some maps. In 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection checked the water in Somer Brook. They wanted to make sure the stream was still healthy. This was part of a larger check of streams in the Mehoopany Creek area.

Somer Brook is described as "scenic" in a book called Hiking the Endless Mountains. This means it's a very beautiful place to visit. There are many old forest roads nearby. These roads are perfect for hiking and exploring.

Animals and Nature in Somer Brook

Somer Brook is a great home for fish. Wild trout naturally reproduce in the brook. This means they lay their eggs and new trout hatch there. This happens from the very start of the brook all the way to its end. The stream is classified as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery. This means its cold, clean water is perfect for fish like trout. In 1995, northern water shrews were also found living near Somer Brook. These small animals are good swimmers and hunt in the water.