West Branch Lackawanna River facts for kids

The West Branch Lackawanna River is a cool waterway in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It's also known as Ball Creek. This river is about 9.5 miles (15.3 km) long. It flows into the Lackawanna River, which is a bigger river.

The West Branch Lackawanna River travels through towns like Ararat Township, Herrick Township, and Union Dale. The area of land that drains into this river is about 16.8 square miles (44 km²).

Good news! The river has very clean water. It's not considered a polluted stream. You'll find several lakes and wetlands in the area around the river, such as Ball Lake, Fiddle Lake, and Lake Romobe. There are also a couple of dams on the river, like the Romobe Lake Dam.

This river is a great place for fish, especially trout. It's known as a "Coldwater Fishery," which means its water is cold enough for these fish to live. You can also enjoy outdoor activities like hiking on the D&H Trail nearby.

Where Does the West Branch Lackawanna River Flow?

The West Branch Lackawanna River starts in a wetland in Ararat Township. It first flows north for a short distance. Then, it enters a place called Sinkhole Swamp.

After the swamp, the river turns east and flows into Fomobe Lake. From there, it heads south-southeast and enters Hathaway Lake. The river then continues southeast for over a mile.

It changes direction a few times, flowing south-southeast, then south, and then south-southwest. It eventually enters Herrick Township. The river winds through wetlands, and its valley gets narrower.

Finally, it flows south for a few miles, crossing Pennsylvania Route 374. It then enters Union Dale. In Union Dale, the river continues south and meets its only named branch, Fiddle Lake Creek. A little further downstream, it flows into Stillwater Lake and joins the Lackawanna River.

What Are the River's Branches?

The West Branch Lackawanna River has one main branch that has a name: Fiddle Lake Creek. This creek joins the river about 1.20 miles (1.93 km) before the West Branch meets the Lackawanna River. The area that drains into Fiddle Lake Creek is about 6.47 square miles (16.8 km²).

There are also other smaller, unnamed streams that flow into the West Branch Lackawanna River. These include "Unnamed trib 1," "Unnamed trib 2," and "Ball Lake Creek."

How Clean is the River's Water?

The West Branch Lackawanna River is known for its good water quality. Experts have described its water as "good to excellent." This means the water is very clean and healthy.

Most of the time, the river's water is clear. However, in one spot, about 7.25 miles (11.67 km) upstream from its mouth, the water can look cloudy. This is because cows sometimes walk in the river, stirring up silt (fine dirt).

In the early 1900s, the area around the river usually got about 35 to 40 inches (89 to 102 cm) of rain each year.

What is the Land Like Around the River?

The West Branch Lackawanna River starts high up, between 2,000 and 2,020 feet (610 and 620 m) above sea level. It ends at a lower spot, about 1,575 feet (480 m) above sea level, where it meets the Lackawanna River.

The river's mouth is at Stillwater Dam, which was built in 1960. The river gets its water from several lakes and swamps, including Ball Lake, Fiddle Lake, and Sink Hole Swamp.

When people checked the river in 1999, they didn't find any trash or debris in the water or along its banks. The river banks are mostly strong and stable, but a few spots show a little bit of erosion (where the soil washes away).

The land around the river has steep hills and a narrow valley. There are many ponds, lakes, and swamps. This area was shaped by glaciation (when glaciers moved across the land long ago). The river's path is curvy and flows over sandstone and shale rocks.

Who Lives Near the River?

The land area that drains into the West Branch Lackawanna River is called its watershed. This watershed is about 16.8 square miles (44 km²) big. It's located in the very northeast part of the larger Lackawanna River watershed.

Most of the watershed is in Herrick Township and Ararat Township. Smaller parts are in Union Dale and Clifford Township. The river's watershed is long and narrow.

This area is mostly undeveloped, meaning there aren't many big cities or lots of buildings. You'll find farms, small communities, and homes. There are dairy farms in the watershed, including a large one near where the river begins. Because it's a "sensitive stream," less than 10 percent of the land is covered by paved areas or buildings.

There's also a very important wetland area in the river's watershed.

A Look Back: History of the River

The West Branch Lackawanna River was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System in 1979. It's also known as Ball Creek, a name that appeared on a map from 1944. However, some local people in 1968 didn't know it by that name.

Long ago, in the 1800s, people used to cut down trees around the lakes in the river's watershed. There were also sawmills and factories that made wood acid. The Delaware and Hudson Railway used to follow the West Branch Lackawanna River up to Ararat.

When the railroad arrived, new businesses like dairy farming and ice harvesting started in the area. In the early 1900s, farming and ice harvesting were the main jobs. The river's water power was also used for small mills in Uniondale.

Bridges have been built over the river. For example, a bridge for Pennsylvania Route 374 was built in 1958 in Herrick Township. Another long bridge was built in Union Dale in 1961 and repaired in 2010.

In 2001, a company allowed the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to let people fish in a section of the river for a very low price.

What Animals Live in the River?

The West Branch Lackawanna River is a special place for fish. It's called a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's a good home for fish that like cold water, and also for fish that travel to different places.

Wild trout naturally live and reproduce in the river. You can find them from about 6.70 miles (10.78 km) upstream all the way to where the river joins the Lackawanna River.

The river has small numbers of wild brook trout and brown trout. In the past, more trout were added to the river, but this practice has stopped.

Two areas in the river's watershed, Herrick Township Swamp and the Lake Romobe area, are very important for birds. They are called Important Bird Areas by the Audubon Society.

You might see some green algae growing on rocks in the river, especially downstream of river mile 7.25. This algae might come from farm runoff. The plants along the river banks are in good condition. They include forests, brush, marshes, and fields. A large hemlock forest also grows along the river for about 1.5 miles (2.4 km).

Fun Things to Do at the River

The D&H Rail Trail is a path that goes through the area around the West Branch Lackawanna River. This trail is mostly used by people who live nearby. The river itself is known as a "pristine cold-water fisher[y]," which means it's a great place for fishing.

There are some trails that lead to and run alongside the West Branch Lackawanna River. These trails help fishermen get to the water. However, some parts of the river are hard to reach because of thick plants and private property signs.

Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 236 are located west of the West Branch Lackawanna River. These state game lands are a large area of 2,009 acres (813 ha) where people can enjoy nature and outdoor activities.