kids encyclopedia robot

Sugar Run (Bowman Creek tributary) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Sugar Run
Physical characteristics
Main source valley in Lake Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
between 1,960 and 1,980 feet (597 and 604 m)
River mouth Bowman Creek in Noxen Township, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania
1,358 ft (414 m)
41°23′02″N 76°08′30″W / 41.38385°N 76.14173°W / 41.38385; -76.14173
Length 1.8 mi (2.9 km)
Basin features
Progression Bowman Creek → Susquehanna RiverChesapeake Bay
Basin size 1.02 sq mi (2.6 km2)

Sugar Run is a small stream, or tributary, that flows into Bowman Creek in Pennsylvania, United States. It runs through parts of Luzerne County and Wyoming County. The stream is about 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long.

The area around Sugar Run is important for nature. Its watershed (the land area that drains water into the stream) is a special place for fish. It's known as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery, meaning it's a great home for fish that like cold water and those that travel to different places.

Where Does Sugar Run Flow?

Sugar Run starts in a valley in Lake Township, Luzerne County. It flows mostly towards the northwest for over a mile. Along its path, it crosses into Noxen Township in Wyoming County.

The stream then makes a few turns, heading west-northwest for a bit before turning northwest again. Finally, it turns northeast and meets up with Bowman Creek. This meeting point is called a confluence. Sugar Run joins Bowman Creek about 19.68 miles (31.67 km) before Bowman Creek reaches its own end.

Land and Rocks Around the Stream

The land around Sugar Run has different features. Near where Sugar Run meets Bowman Creek, the ground is made of alluvium (silt, sand, and gravel left by flowing water) and alluvial fan (a fan-shaped deposit of sediment).

Further upstream, you can find a type of till called Wisconsinan Till. This is a mix of clay, sand, and rocks left behind by ancient glaciers. In some spots, this till sits on top of clays from old glacial lakes. The stream also flows over areas where bedrock (solid rock beneath the soil) is close to the surface. This bedrock is made of sandstone and shale.

What is a Watershed?

The watershed of Sugar Run covers an area of about 1.02 square miles (2.6 km2). A watershed is like a giant bowl where all the rain and snowmelt collect and drain into a specific stream or river.

The mouth of Sugar Run is located in an area mapped by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) called the Dutch Mountain quadrangle. However, the stream's source is in a different map area called the Harveys Lake quadrangle. Sugar Run also flows through the Sweet Valley quadrangle. The stream's mouth is close to a place called Mountain Springs.

Sugar Run is healthy enough to support aquatic life, meaning it has the right conditions for water plants and animals to live there.

History of the Name

The name "Sugar Run" was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system helps keep track of names and locations of places in the United States.

Animals in Sugar Run

The watershed of Sugar Run is very important for fish. It's known as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery, which means the water is clean and cold enough for fish that need those conditions. It's also a Migratory Fishery, meaning fish can travel through it.

One cool fact is that wild trout naturally live and reproduce in Sugar Run. They can be found all along the stream, from where it starts all the way down to where it joins Bowman Creek. This shows how healthy and clean the stream is!

kids search engine
Sugar Run (Bowman Creek tributary) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.