Sugar Notch Run facts for kids

Sugar Notch Run is a small stream, about 3 miles (4.8 km) long, located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Solomon Creek. The stream passes through Hanover Township, Sugar Notch, and Ashley.

The area around Sugar Notch Run has been affected by old coal mining. Because of this, the water in the stream is not always clean. However, some parts of the stream are home to fish like brook trout and tiny water bugs. The stream is even called a "Coldwater Fishery," which means it's a good place for cold-water fish. You can also find fun outdoor activities in the area, like the Sugar Notch Trail System and Pennsylvania State Game Lands.

Where Sugar Notch Run Flows

Sugar Notch Run starts on Wilkes-Barre Mountain in Hanover Township. It first flows southwest, then turns north. The stream goes through the valley of Sugar Notch and crosses under Interstate 81.

After a short distance, it briefly enters the town of Sugar Notch. Then it goes back into Hanover Township and turns northeast. It crosses Pennsylvania Route 29 and continues flowing north. Finally, it enters the town of Ashley. In Ashley, the stream winds its way north until it joins Solomon Creek. Sugar Notch Run meets Solomon Creek about 4.4 miles (7.1 km) before Solomon Creek reaches its own end.

Water Quality of Sugar Notch Run

The water in Sugar Notch Run is affected by pollution. The main problem comes from old mines, which create something called acid mine drainage. This makes the water more acidic and can carry a lot of tiny particles.

The stream also gets pollution from urban runoff, which is water that flows over streets and picks up dirt and chemicals. Sometimes, people even dump trash and old tires into the stream, which blocks the water flow. Other issues include fallen trees and too much dirt building up in the stream.

Even with these challenges, the stream has some interesting features. The water temperature can vary, and while some parts are acidic, other parts are less so.

Land and Rocks Around the Stream

The land around Sugar Notch Run changes quite a bit. Where the stream starts, it's about 1,120 to 1,140 feet (341 to 347 meters) above sea level. By the time it reaches Solomon Creek, it's about 584 feet (178 meters) above sea level.

Some of the stream's water actually disappears into old underground mine tunnels. There are even cracks in the stream's bottom that can be up to 4 inches (10 cm) wide. In some places, deep holes from old mining operations lead down into these underground areas.

Years ago, in the early 1900s, there was a small dam on Sugar Notch Run. It was made of concrete and stone, about 8 feet (2.4 meters) high. This dam was used to collect water.

The valley where Sugar Notch Run flows has different types of rocks. You can find red shale, siltstone, and sandstone. There are also areas where coal was mined a long time ago. The stream's beginnings are on Wilkes-Barre Mountain and Penobscot Mountain.

The Area Around Sugar Notch Run

The entire area that drains into Sugar Notch Run is called its watershed. This watershed covers about 2.33 square miles (6.03 square kilometers). There are about 3.46 miles (5.57 km) of streams in this watershed.

The very top parts of Sugar Notch Run are in a forested area. But for much of its path, the stream flows through land that was once used for mining and is now abandoned.

Several important places are located in the Sugar Notch Run watershed. These include the Hanover Township Youth Recreational Complex, the Preston Hose Company, and the Ashley Fire Hall. An old pump house that used to serve the Huber Breaker (a coal processing plant) is also in this area.

History and Fun Activities

Sugar Notch colliery, by M. A. Kleckner

Sugar Notch Run has been known by its name for a long time, officially added to a national list of geographic names in 1979.

Coal mining was a big activity near Sugar Notch Run in the past. In 1979, a coal company was found to have illegally put wastewater into the stream.

In 2004, Sugar Notch Run was officially listed as a polluted stream. But in 2013, a group called the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Restoration helped clean up some of the pollution along the stream.

A bridge that carries State Route 2010 over Sugar Notch Run was built in 1961. It's about 30.8 feet (9.4 meters) long and is in Hanover Township.

For fun, you can explore the Sugar Notch Trail System, which is in the stream's watershed. It has two trails: the Ridge Top Trail (about 3.06 miles or 4.92 km long) and the Park Access Trail (about 0.64 miles or 1.03 km long). The stream also flows through the Greater Hanover Recreation Park. In the higher parts of the watershed, you'll find Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 207, which are areas set aside for wildlife and outdoor activities.

Wildlife in Sugar Notch Run

Sugar Notch Run is designated as a Coldwater Fishery, which means it's a good habitat for fish that prefer cold water. Brook trout are often found in the stream, both upstream and downstream of Interstate 81. These trout live in the stream even above the Hanover Area Recreation Fields. The stream is also important for other aquatic life.

The areas along the stream's banks in its upper parts have a riparian buffer. This is a strip of plants and trees that helps protect the stream from pollution and erosion.

While some parts of Sugar Notch Run might not have many tiny water bugs (called benthic macroinvertebrates), other sections do. These include creatures like mayflies and other insects from groups like Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera. Even Cranefly larvae have been seen in the stream.