Wildcat Creek (Lackawanna River tributary) facts for kids

Wildcat Creek is a small stream in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It's also known by other names like Millers Creek or Tinklepaugh Creek. This creek flows into the Lackawanna River. It is about 3.8 miles (6.1 km) long. Wildcat Creek travels through the towns of Archbald and Blakely.

The area of land that drains into Wildcat Creek, called its watershed, is about 4.49 square miles (11.6 km²). The creek has one main branch called West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek. Sometimes, the creek's water can disappear into underground coal measures. This means it might not always flow, especially near where it starts. Only the top part of the creek still looks natural. The lower part flows through a concrete channel.

Most of the land around Wildcat Creek is used for homes and businesses. The creek can cause flooding in Archbald and Blakely. In the past, the creek's path was changed. A bridge was built over it later. There's a plan to create a walking trail along the creek. This trail would connect to the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Wildcat Creek is a good place for fish. It is known as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Where Does Wildcat Creek Flow?

Wildcat Creek starts in a valley. This valley is located between Hibbard Mountain and Meyers Mountain in Archbald. The creek flows southeast for a short distance. Then it crosses a highway. Near the Archbald Pothole, the creek turns south. It flows for about two miles.

Wildcat Creek's Journey Through Towns

As it flows south, Wildcat Creek enters the town of Blakely. Here, it meets West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek. This is its only named branch. Soon after, the creek crosses Pennsylvania Route 247. It then turns southeast. After a short distance, it turns southwest. Finally, it joins the Lackawanna River. Wildcat Creek meets the Lackawanna River about 18.55 miles (29.85 km) upstream from the Lackawanna River's mouth.

Wildcat Creek's Branches

Wildcat Creek has one main branch called West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek. The land area that drains into this branch is about 1.49 square miles (3.9 km²). Wildcat Creek also has another small, unnamed branch.

How Much Water Does Wildcat Creek Carry?

The amount of water flowing in Wildcat Creek changes. At its mouth, there is a 10 percent chance that the water flow will reach 1079 cubic feet per second each year. There is a 2 percent chance it could reach 2102 cubic feet per second. There is a 1 percent chance it could reach 2700 cubic feet per second. A very rare flood, with a 0.2 percent chance, could see the flow reach 4020 cubic feet per second.

Water Flow Upstream

Further upstream, before West Branch Tinklepaugh Creek joins, the water flow is a bit less. There is a 10 percent chance of the flow reaching 814 cubic feet per second. A 2 percent chance could see it reach 1632 cubic feet per second. There is a 1 percent chance of 2188 cubic feet per second. A 0.2 percent chance flood could reach 3148 cubic feet per second.

Water Quality and Flow Changes

In November 2000, Wildcat Creek had no water flowing in it at all. The creek might only flow sometimes from its source. It can also lose water to underground coal areas. Downstream from US Route 6, the creek has a lot of sediment. It also gets stormwater and runoff from old coal piles and parking lots. This part of the creek is sometimes described as a "sediment-choked, storm water ditch."

What Does the Land Around Wildcat Creek Look Like?

The land near the mouth of Wildcat Creek is about 771 feet (235 m) above sea level. Where the creek starts, the land is higher. It is between 1,540 and 1,560 feet (470 and 480 m) above sea level. The creek drops quickly in some parts near its source.

Changes to the Creek's Path

Parts of Wildcat Creek have been changed by people. Some areas have been affected by city growth and mining waste. Only a small part near where it starts is still natural. This natural part is about 0.6 miles (0.97 km) long. It has stable banks. The very beginning of the creek flows over rocky ground. There are no wetlands there. Within a short distance from its source, it flows through areas with coal measures.

How Human Activity Affects the Creek

Downstream from US Route 6, Wildcat Creek is next to piles of culm (waste coal). On the other side, there are businesses. The creek banks in this area are not stable. The last mile of the creek flows through an open concrete channel. This channel is surrounded by lawns and houses. The creek is fenced off in this area. There is no natural channel left here.

Geology Around Wildcat Creek

Some hills near Wildcat Creek are covered with a layer of glacial till. This is a mix of sand and gravel. It also has some large boulders. Some hills are made entirely of this glacial till. There is a mountain in the western part of the creek's watershed.

The Wildcat Creek Watershed

The watershed of Wildcat Creek covers an area of 4.49 square miles (11.6 km²). The mouth of the creek is in the Olyphant area. Its source is in the Carbondale area. The creek's watershed is in the middle part of the Lackawanna River's watershed.

Land Use in the Watershed

Wildcat Creek is a third-order stream. This means it has smaller streams flowing into it, which also have even smaller streams flowing into them. Most of the land in the creek's watershed is used for homes and businesses today. However, in the late 1900s, most of the watershed was covered by forests. About 20 percent of the watershed had homes. A small part had businesses. There are also old mining areas in some parts of the watershed. It is hard to protect the lower parts of the watershed.

Flooding Concerns

Wildcat Creek causes flooding in Archbald and Blakely. Some homeowners in Archbald have had their basements flood because of the creek.

History and Fun Facts About Wildcat Creek

Wildcat Creek was officially named on August 2, 1979. It is also known as Wild Cat Creek, Millers Creek, or Tinklepaugh Creek.

Changes to the Creek Over Time

In the early 1900s, a company called the Hudson Coal Company changed the path of Wildcat Creek. They did this to help with coal mining in Archbald. Later, in the 1930s, they wanted to change its path back towards Jermyn. However, the creek's mouth is currently in Blakely.

Flooding History and Bridges

Wildcat Creek has a history of flooding in Archbald. A flood happened in 1902. One flood washed away a stone wall and damaged properties. The creek might flood again in the future because its banks are eroding.

A bridge was built over Wildcat Creek in 1991. This bridge carries Main Street in Blakely. It is 24.0 feet (7.3 m) long. The last mile of the creek was rebuilt with an open concrete channel between 1994 and 1997.

Plans for Recreation and Protection

In the early 2000s, a plan suggested that Blakely and Archbald should protect Wildcat Creek in their town plans. There is also an idea to turn an old railroad path into a walking trail along Wildcat Creek. This trail would connect Archbald Pothole State Park to the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.

Wildlife and Plants Around Wildcat Creek

The area around Wildcat Creek is important for fish. It is called a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's a good place for fish that like cold water and for fish that travel to different places.

Plants Along the Creek

In its upper parts, Wildcat Creek has native trees and smaller plants growing along its banks. Further downstream, there are some newer plants growing. However, most of the creek's banks are either bare or made of concrete. The lower parts of the creek do not have many plants along their edges.