Spring Run (Solomon Creek tributary) facts for kids

Spring Run is a smaller stream, also known as a tributary, that flows into Solomon Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It is about 2.1 miles (3.4 km) long. This stream flows through the areas of Wilkes-Barre and Hanover Township.

The land area that drains into Spring Run, called its watershed, covers about 4.34 square miles (11.2 km²). Sadly, the stream is affected by pollution from old mines. Even though it's supposed to be a "Coldwater Fishery" (meaning it should be good for fish that like cold water), there are no fish living in it. However, you can find some small water creatures called macroinvertebrates there. In the past, people used to mine Coal in the area around the stream. There are also at least two bridges that cross over Spring Run.

Where Spring Run Flows

Spring Run starts in Wilkes-Barre, close to Pennsylvania Route 309 and not far from a small village called Georgetown.

It flows generally towards the west and southwest. After flowing for a while, it leaves Wilkes-Barre and enters Hanover Township. The stream then turns south for a bit before turning west again. Finally, it meets and joins Solomon Creek. Spring Run connects with Solomon Creek about 3.82 miles (6.15 km) before Solomon Creek reaches its own end.

Smaller Streams Joining Spring Run

Spring Run does not have any officially named smaller streams that flow into it. However, there is one unnamed stream that joins Spring Run where Blackman Street and New Frederick Street meet. There is also another stream that locals call Sulfur Run, which also flows into Spring Run.

Water Quality of Spring Run

The entire length of Spring Run is considered polluted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The main problem comes from abandoned mine drainage, which is water that flows out of old, unused mines. This mine water contains metals and a lot of silt, which is like fine dirt.

This pollution makes the stream's water have a low pH, meaning it's acidic. It also has high levels of suspended solids, which are tiny particles floating in the water. For example, the water has a lot of iron, manganese, and aluminum from the mines. To make the stream healthier, the levels of these metals need to be greatly reduced.

The water in Spring Run has a pH level that usually stays between 6.5 and 6.7. This is slightly acidic. The stream's flow is about 4.66 million gallons per day. However, Spring Run is an intermittent stream. This means it only flows when there's a storm or a lot of rain. Most of the time, the land around the stream is dry because the water sinks into old mine tunnels underground.

Experts have described Spring Run as "one of the most degraded" (meaning most polluted) streams in the Solomon Creek area.

Land and Rocks Around Spring Run

The land around the end of Spring Run is about 577 feet (176 m) above sea level. Where the stream begins, its source, the elevation is between 640 and 660 feet (200 and 200 m) above sea level.

Spring Run is a small stream. It loses most of its water because it flows into underground mine pools, which are large collections of water in old mines. Both surface mines (where coal is dug from the ground's surface) and deep mines (where tunnels go deep underground) used to operate in the area around Spring Run. There are still abandoned mining lands in the watershed.

A special rock formation called Prospect Rock is located near the very top part of Spring Run's watershed. It is about 1,300 feet (400 m) above sea level. This rock is made of a light gray rock called conglomerate. From Prospect Rock, you can see almost the entire Wyoming Valley.

Spring Run's Watershed Area

The watershed of Spring Run covers an area of 4.34 square miles (11.2 km²). The end of the stream is on the United States Geological Survey map called Wilkes-Barre West. However, its beginning is on the Wilkes-Barre East map. In total, there are about 2.93 miles (4.72 km) of streams within this watershed.

Most of Spring Run's watershed drains the northwestern part of Wilkes-Barre Mountain. It also includes the communities of Georgetown, Laurel Run, and Wilkes-Barre Township. Spring Run is one reason why flooding can happen in Hanover Township.

Major roads like Pennsylvania Route 309 and Interstate 81 cross through the Spring Run watershed. A part of Pinchot State Forest is also located within the stream's watershed. Spring Run's watershed is in the northeastern part of the larger Solomon Creek watershed. It is located right next to the watershed of Pine Creek, which is another stream that flows into Solomon Creek.

History of Spring Run

Spring Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of names for places like streams.

In the past, Coal mining was a big activity in the area around Spring Run. The Empire Silk Mill, a factory that made silk, also used to operate in the stream's watershed. This mill is the last one still standing in Wilkes-Barre.

Two bridges cross Spring Run. A box beam bridge that carries South Empire Street was built in 1972 and is 63.0 feet (19.2 m) long. A concrete culvert bridge for McLean Street was built in 1991 and is 30.8 feet (9.4 m) long.

Animals and Plants in Spring Run

Spring Run is classified as a Coldwater Fishery. This means it has the right conditions for fish that prefer cold water, like trout. However, no trout or other fish actually live in the stream.

Even though there are no fish, about 20 percent of the macroinvertebrate (small water bugs and creatures) types found in Spring Run belong to the groups Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera. Interestingly, none of these macroinvertebrates are mayflies.