Wilson Creek (Lackawanna River tributary) facts for kids

Wilson Creek is a small river, also known as Elk Creek, located in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It flows into the Lackawanna River. This creek is about 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long and runs through Fell Township. The area of land that drains into the creek, called its watershed, covers about 3.82 square miles (9.9 km2).

Unfortunately, Wilson Creek has some water quality problems. It's affected by metals and pH levels from old, unused mines. Some parts of the creek even lose all their water flow. Despite these challenges, the creek is a special place for fish. It's known as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery, meaning it's home to fish that prefer cold water and those that travel to different areas. Wild trout naturally live and reproduce here. There's also an idea to create a walking trail along the creek, connecting the towns of Simpson and Richmondale.

Journey of Wilson Creek

Wilson Creek starts its journey in a small lake in Fell Township. This is close to the border between Lackawanna County and Susquehanna County.

From there, it flows east-southeast for a short distance. It then goes through another lake before turning southeast and flowing down a hill. Further downstream, the creek turns south-southwest. It flows between the bottom of a mountain and Pennsylvania Route 171.

The creek then turns south, briefly heading east to cross Pennsylvania Route 171. After that, it continues south for over a mile, still following Pennsylvania Route 171. Finally, it reaches the town of Simpson. Here, it turns south-southwest, then south, and finally southeast. Wilson Creek then meets the Lackawanna River. It joins the Lackawanna River about 30.82 miles (49.60 km) upstream from where the Lackawanna River ends.

Water Quality of Wilson Creek

Wilson Creek is considered an "impaired" stream, which means its water quality isn't as good as it should be. The main problems are high levels of metals and unusual pH levels. These issues are mostly caused by water draining from old, abandoned mines.

In some parts of Wilson Creek, the water completely disappears. This means the creek bed can become dry. For example, in September 2000, people noticed that the creek's normal flow was lost near an area called the Richmondale Pile.

There are three main places where water from old mines flows into Wilson Creek. These are called the Upper Wilson Outfall, the Lower Wilson Outfall, and the Molensky Slope Outfall. The Molensky Slope Outfall adds the most water to the creek. This water sometimes smells a bit like sulfur, but it doesn't have many metals. Long ago, in the early 1900s, the creek had a lot of sulfur near its mouth. It also used to carry some silt, which is like fine dirt.

Land and Rocks Around the Creek

The land around Wilson Creek is part of the Appalachian Mountains. Specifically, it's in a region known for its long, steep ridges and valleys. The creek itself has a clear path. You can also find small bogs, ponds, and wetlands in the area where the creek collects its water.

The highest point where Wilson Creek starts is between 1,880 and 1,900 feet (570 and 580 m) above sea level. Where it joins the Lackawanna River, the elevation is 1,129 feet (344 m).

The first mile (1.6 km) of the creek is mostly untouched and healthy. However, as it flows alongside Pennsylvania Route 171, it starts to be affected by old mining areas. These include pits where coal was dug out and piles of waste rock. The creek also flows through the Richmondale Pile, which is a disturbed mining area with some culm (waste coal). Near its mouth, the creek's path has been changed by humans.

In the early 1900s, reports described the creek's bottom as rocky in some places. It also had deposits of culm. The creek was noted as being fairly large, with banks tall enough to prevent it from overflowing in most areas.

The higher parts of the land around Wilson Creek have rocky soil that doesn't drain well. Other areas of the watershed allow water to pass through quickly. The most common type of rock in the watershed is sedimentary rock that's interbedded (layers of different rocks). This makes up 53 percent of the area. The other 47 percent is made of sandstone.

Wilson Creek's Watershed

The watershed of Wilson Creek, which is the entire area of land that drains into it, covers 3.82 square miles (9.9 km2). The creek is a "first-order" stream, meaning it's a small stream that doesn't have other streams flowing into it.

Most of the watershed is in Fell Township. However, a small northern part is in Clifford Township in Susquehanna County. The upper parts of the watershed are mostly undeveloped, meaning there aren't many buildings or roads. But closer to the creek's mouth, in Simpson, you'll find homes along the creek.

A large part of the watershed, about 84 percent, is covered by forests. The remaining 16 percent includes old mine lands, developed areas (mostly near the creek's end), and open fields.

You can visit Wilson Creek by taking US Route 6 to Carbondale, then Pennsylvania Route 171 to Simpson.

History and Fun Activities

Wilson Creek was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. It's also known by its other name, Elk Creek, which appears on maps from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

In the past, several coal mines and processing plants were built along Wilson Creek. The Williams Coal Mine was built in 1864, and the Elk Creek Mine was built in 1873. The Richmond Number 4 Colliery and the Buffalo Breaker were also located near the creek.

Wilson Creek has experienced floods. In 1924, the creek overflowed its banks. During the same flood, it covered a road leading to Forest City, making it impossible to pass.

Several bridges have been built over Wilson Creek. A concrete bridge on T604/Midland Street was built in 1930 and is 32.2 feet (9.8 m) long. A steel bridge carrying Pennsylvania Route 171 was built in 1953. This bridge is 46.9 feet (14.3 m) long and is in Fell Township.

In the early 2000s, there was a plan to create the Wilson Creek Trail. This greenway and trail along the creek could connect the towns of Simpson and Richmondale. Local groups have also suggested that Fell Township should include protecting Wilson Creek in its future plans for land use.

Wildlife in Wilson Creek

Wilson Creek is a special place for fish. It's designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. This means it's a good home for fish that like cold water, and it's a pathway for fish that travel to different areas. Wild trout naturally live and reproduce in Wilson Creek, from where it starts all the way to where it meets the Lackawanna River.

However, in the early 1990s, the creek had a low number of macroinvertebrates. These are small creatures without backbones, like insects and worms, that live in the water. They are important because they are a food source for fish and can indicate water health.

Along the banks of Wilson Creek, especially upstream of Pennsylvania Route 171, you can find native trees and smaller plants. Near the Richmondale Pile, there's new plant growth. In Simpson, the plants along the creek are either mowed or include a mix of new growth and invasive plants that aren't native to the area.