West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Hibbard Mountain in Scott Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania between 1,920 and 1,940 feet (590 and 590 m) |
| River mouth | Wildcat Creek in Blakely, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania 843 ft (257 m) 41°29′12″N 75°35′12″W / 41.48665°N 75.58679°W |
| Length | 2.2 mi (3.5 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Wildcat Creek → Lackawanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 1.490 sq mi (3.86 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek is a small stream, also called a tributary, that flows into Wildcat Creek in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It's about 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long. The creek flows through Scott Township, Archbald, and Blakely. The area of land that drains into this creek, called its watershed, is about 1.490 square miles (3.86 km2). Sadly, a part of the creek is affected by pollution from old mines.
Contents
Where the Creek Flows
West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek starts high up on Hibbard Mountain in Scott Township. It flows south-southeast for a short distance and quickly enters Archbald.
The creek then turns south for a bit, flowing into Blakely. Here, it gets water from a smaller, unnamed stream that joins it from the right side. Later, another unnamed stream joins it from the right, and the creek turns east. After a few hundred feet, it meets Wildcat Creek.
Smaller Streams Joining In
West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek doesn't have any named smaller streams that flow into it. However, it does have at least one unnamed stream that adds to its flow.
Water Quality and Flow
About 2.28 miles (3.67 km) of West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek is considered "impaired," which means its water quality isn't as good as it should be. The main problem comes from abandoned mine drainage, which is polluted water from old mines. This pollution changes how the water flows. The creek was first listed as impaired in 2002. Its unnamed smaller streams are also affected by the same problem.
West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek is an intermittent stream. This means it doesn't flow all the time. In a study done in 2013, the creek had very little water and was completely dry for most of the summer, from July to October.
Scientists also measured how much water from the surface and the streambed seeped into old mine tunnels. A report from the mid-1900s estimated that for every inch of rain, about 8.11 gallons per minute seeped from the surface into the mines. From the streambed, about 15.20 gallons per minute seeped into the mines for every inch of rain.
Water Chemistry
In the 2013 study, scientists also checked the water's electrical conductivity. This measures how well electricity can pass through the water, which tells us about the amount of dissolved stuff in it. The creek's electrical conductivity ranged from 14.00 to 49.50 micro-Siemens per centimeter. The average was 28.69 micro-Siemens per centimeter. These numbers were not in the ideal range for healthy water.
The amount of total dissolved solids (like minerals and salts) in the water ranged from 7.00 to 20.00 milligrams per liter. The average was 13.86 milligrams per liter. These values were also outside the ideal range.
The pH of West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek varied from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The lowest pH was 6.38, the average was 7.25, and the highest was 7.95. A pH of 6.38 is a bit low, but the average and highest values were within the healthy range for water.
The amount of dissolved oxygen in the water ranged from 83.06 percent to 172.40 percent, with an average of 133.70 percent. Dissolved oxygen is important for aquatic life. The lowest value was good, but the other two were a bit high. The salinity (saltiness) was once measured at 10.00 parts per million, which is a healthy level.
Land, Rocks, and Weather
The land around the end of West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek is about 843 feet (257 m) above sea level. Near the beginning of the creek, the land is much higher, between 1,920 and 1,940 feet (590 and 590 m) above sea level.
A significant part of the creek's watershed, about 0.861 square miles (2.23 km2), is located on coal measures. This means the land contains layers of coal. About 11,400 feet (3,500 m) of the creek itself flows over these coal layers.
In 2013, the water temperature of West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek varied from 3.28 to 18.08 °C (37.90 to 64.54 °F). The average temperature was 8.75 °C (47.75 °F).
The Creek's Watershed
The watershed of West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek covers an area of about 1.490 square miles (3.86 km2). The end of the creek is located in the Olyphant area, according to the United States Geological Survey maps. However, its beginning is in the Carbondale area.
In 2013, the creek's habitat was rated as "optimal" with a score of 192 out of 200. This high score means the creek provides a very good home for aquatic life.
History of the Creek's Name
West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on January 1, 1990. This system keeps track of names for places like rivers and mountains. The creek's ID number in the system is 1202419. It was added because it appeared on Patton's Philadelphia and Suburbs Street and Road Map, which was published in 1984.
