White Oak Run (Roaring Brook tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White Oak Run |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania between 1,680 and 1,700 feet (510 and 520 m) |
| River mouth | Roaring Brook at the Elmhurst Reservoir in Roaring Brook Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania 1,417 ft (432 m) 41°22′27″N 75°31′18″W / 41.3741°N 75.5217°W |
| Length | 2.3 mi (3.7 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Roaring Brook → Lackawanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 3.22 sq mi (8.3 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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White Oak Run is a small stream, also called a tributary, that flows into Roaring Brook. It's located in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. This stream is about 2.3 miles (3.7 kilometers) long. It winds its way through three different areas: Jefferson Township, Madison Township, and Roaring Brook Township. The land area that drains water into White Oak Run, called its watershed, covers about 3.22 square miles (8.34 square kilometers). The stream also flows through the Curtis Reservoir, which is held back by the Curtis Dam.
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Where Does White Oak Run Flow?
White Oak Run starts its journey in Jefferson Township. It flows south-southwest for a short distance. Then, it enters a lake. From the southern end of this lake, it continues flowing south.
After a while, it crosses Pennsylvania Route 590. Then, it flows into the Curtis Reservoir. Here, the stream turns southwest and enters Madison Township. At the far southwestern edge of the reservoir, the stream turns west. It then enters Roaring Brook Township. A short distance downstream, White Oak Run meets Roaring Brook. This meeting point is at the Elmhurst Reservoir.
White Oak Run joins Roaring Brook about 11.78 miles (18.96 kilometers) before Roaring Brook reaches its own end.
Smaller Streams Joining White Oak Run
White Oak Run does not have any named smaller streams, or tributaries, that flow into it. However, it does have two unnamed tributaries. Both of these smaller streams join White Oak Run from its right side. One of these unnamed streams flows into White Oak Run while it is in the Curtis Reservoir.
Land and Rocks Around the Stream
The land around where White Oak Run meets Roaring Brook is about 1,417 feet (432 meters) above sea level. Where the stream begins, its source, the land is higher. It is between 1,680 and 1,700 feet (510 and 520 meters) above sea level.
The ground and rocks near the lower parts of White Oak Run are made of alluvium. This is a type of soil left behind by flowing water. A bit further from the stream, you can find areas of till. This is a mix of clay, sand, and rocks left by glaciers. There is also solid bedrock in the area. This bedrock contains different kinds of rock, like conglomeratic sandstone, sandstone, and shale.
The White Oak Run Watershed
The watershed of White Oak Run covers an area of 3.22 square miles (8.34 square kilometers). Part of the stream is located within the Moscow map area. This map is created by the United States Geological Survey.
A large reservoir called the Curtis Reservoir is located on White Oak Run. It covers about 72 acres (29 hectares). This reservoir is held back by the Curtis Dam. In the late 1970s, engineers checked the dam. They found that it was not in perfect condition, but it was not in immediate danger. The main concern was that its spillway was not large enough. A spillway helps release extra water safely. If the Curtis Dam were to fail, it could cause the Elmhurst Dam, which is further downstream, to also fail.
History of White Oak Run
White Oak Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. This system keeps track of place names.
In the early 2000s, a plan was made to protect the Lackawanna River watershed. This plan suggested that Roaring Brook Township, Madison Township, and Jefferson Township should include protecting Keyser Creek in their local plans.
