Wasp Branch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wasp Branch |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | near the village of Mossville in Fairmount Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania between 1,220 and 1,240 feet (370 and 380 m) |
| River mouth | Pine Creek in Fairmount Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania 974 ft (297 m) 41°14′51″N 76°17′05″W / 41.24758°N 76.28474°W |
| Length | 1.7 mi (2.7 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Pine Creek → Huntington Creek → Fishing Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 0.90 sq mi (2.3 km2) |
Wasp Branch is a small stream, also called a tributary, located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It flows into Pine Creek. This stream is about 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long. It runs through an area called Fairmount Township. The land area that drains into Wasp Branch is about 0.90 square miles (2.3 km2). This stream is very important for fish. It is known as a special place for wild trout. It is also a good spot for other coldwater fish and fish that travel to lay eggs.
Contents
Where Does Wasp Branch Flow?
Wasp Branch begins near the village of Mossville. This village is in Fairmount Township. The stream first flows towards the south-southeast. After a short distance, it enters a small valley.
The stream then turns to flow directly south. As it continues, its valley gets deeper and deeper. After flowing for more than a mile, Wasp Branch meets up with Pine Creek. This meeting point is about 9.74 miles (15.68 km) upstream from where Pine Creek itself ends.
Water, Land, and Rocks
What is the Water Like?
The water at the start of Wasp Branch has a certain level of alkalinity. This means it has substances that can balance acids. The measurement is 12 milligrams per liter.
How High is the Stream?
The land around where Wasp Branch joins Pine Creek is about 974 feet (297 m) above sea level. The very beginning of the stream is much higher. Its starting point is between 1,220 and 1,240 feet (370 and 380 m) above sea level. Wasp Branch is located in a part of Pennsylvania known as the Susquehanna Lowlands. This area is part of the Ridge and Valley region.
What is the Ground Made Of?
For much of its path, Wasp Branch flows over a type of soil left behind by glaciers. This soil is called Wisconsinan Till. You can also find other types of glacial deposits along the stream. These include Wisconsinan Ice-Contact Stratified Drift and alluvium, which is soil deposited by water. The ground nearby also has bedrock. This bedrock is made of sandstone and shale.
The Land Around the Stream and Its History
What is a Watershed?
The watershed of Wasp Branch is the entire area of land where water drains into the stream. This area covers about 0.90 square miles (2.3 km2). The stream is found on maps made by the United States Geological Survey. These maps are called the Red Rock and Stillwater quadrangles. The stream starts on the Red Rock map and ends on the Stillwater map. This watershed is part of a larger area called the Upper Central Susquehanna River Subbasin. The stream itself is close to the community of Fairmount Springs.
When Was Wasp Branch Named?
Wasp Branch was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of names for places like streams. Its special ID number in the system is 1193614.
Animals Living in Wasp Branch
Why is Wasp Branch Special for Fish?
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission considers Wasp Branch to be a "Class A Wild Trout Waters." This means it is an excellent place for brook trout to live and reproduce naturally. This special protection applies to the entire stream, from its very beginning to where it meets Pine Creek.
The whole area that drains into Wasp Branch is also called a Coldwater Fishery. This means the water stays cold enough for fish that prefer cool temperatures. It is also a Migratory Fishery. This means fish that travel to different places to lay their eggs use this stream. Wasp Branch is used as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.
