Sugar Run (Marsh Creek tributary) facts for kids

Sugar Run is a small stream, also called a tributary, located in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Marsh Creek. The stream is about 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers) long. It flows through three different areas: Monroe Township, Northmoreland Township, and Eaton Township.

The area of land that drains water into Sugar Run, called its watershed, is about 1.36 square miles (3.5 square kilometers). This stream is known for having wild trout and is considered a healthy waterway.

Where Does Sugar Run Flow?

Sugar Run starts high up on Brier Mountain in Monroe Township. It flows towards the east-southeast for a short distance. Then, it enters a valley and turns to flow north-northeast. Along this part of its journey, another smaller stream joins it from the right side. This is also where Sugar Run enters Northmoreland Township.

After this, the stream turns again, heading north-northwest. It flows along the edge between Eaton Township and Monroe Township. Finally, Sugar Run meets and joins Marsh Creek. It connects with Marsh Creek about 2.24 miles (3.60 kilometers) before Marsh Creek reaches its own end.

Land and Rocks Around the Stream

The land around the mouth of Sugar Run is about 932 feet (284 meters) above sea level. The very beginning of the stream, its source, is much higher. It is between 1,320 and 1,340 feet (402 and 408 meters) above sea level.

The type of ground and rocks you find on the surface, called surficial geology, changes along the stream. Near the mouth of Sugar Run, the ground is mostly made of alluvium. This is soil and sand left behind by flowing water. There is also something called Wisconsinan Ice-Contact Stratified Drift. This material was left by glaciers. You can find patches of these materials further up the stream too.

In the middle parts of the stream, the ground is often wetlands. These are areas where the land is wet for much of the year. At the very start of the stream and on the sides of its valley, the ground is covered by a type of till. This till is called Wisconsinan Till, which is also material left by ancient glaciers.

Stream Health and Water Area

The entire watershed of Sugar Run covers an area of 1.36 square miles (3.5 square kilometers). This means all the rain and snow that falls in this area eventually flows into Sugar Run. The stream is completely located within a map area known as the Center Moreland quadrangle, as defined by the United States Geological Survey.

It's good news that Sugar Run is not listed as an "impaired waterbody." This means the water quality is healthy and supports the plants and animals living there.

A Brief History of Sugar Run

Sugar Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of names and locations of places in the United States. Its special identification number in this system is 1199638.

In June 2011, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission made an important change. They added the entire length of Sugar Run to their list of "wild trout waters." This means the stream is recognized as a place where trout naturally live and reproduce.

Wild Trout in Sugar Run

One of the most exciting things about Sugar Run is that wild trout live and reproduce there naturally. You can find them from the very beginning of the stream all the way to where it joins Marsh Creek.

When the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission added Sugar Run to its list of wild trout streams, they observed healthy populations. They found at least three young of the year trout (baby trout born that year) or at least two trout of different ages. This showed that the trout were successfully reproducing and growing in the stream.