Wolffs Run facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wolffs Run |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | southeastern edge of the Humboldt Reservoir in Hazle Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania between 1,760 and 1,780 feet (540 and 540 m) |
| River mouth | Stony Creek in Hazle Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania 1,715 ft (523 m) |
| Length | 0.4 mi (0.64 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Stony Creek → Black Creek → Nescopeck Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
| Basin size | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2) |
Wolffs Run is a small stream, or 'tributary', located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It flows into another stream called Stony Creek. Wolffs Run is about 0.4 miles (0.64 km) long and runs through Hazle Township. The area of land that drains water into this stream, called its 'watershed', is about 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2). A large reservoir named the Humboldt Reservoir is built on Wolffs Run. This reservoir holds water and is held back by the Humboldt Dam. It's an important source of water for people nearby.
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Where Does Wolffs Run Start and End?
Wolffs Run starts at the southeastern edge of the Humboldt Reservoir. This is right at the Humboldt Dam in Hazle Township.
From there, the stream flows towards the northeast for a few hundred feet. Then, it slowly starts to turn and flow north. After flowing north for a similar distance, it meets up with Stony Creek. This meeting point is called its 'confluence'.
How High Up Is Wolffs Run?
The elevation of the land near where Wolffs Run joins Stony Creek is about 1,715 feet (523 m) above sea level. Where the stream begins, its elevation is a bit higher. It's between 1,760 feet (540 m) and 1,780 feet (540 m) above sea level.
What Is the Humboldt Dam?
There is a dam called the Humboldt Dam on Wolffs Run. A dam is like a big wall built across a river or stream to hold back water. This dam is made mostly of earth, but it has a strong masonry (stone or brick) wall inside.
The Humboldt Dam is 974 feet (297 m) long and 41 feet (12 m) high. It also has a special part called a 'spillway'. This spillway is made of masonry and helps control the water flow. It lets extra water safely pass over or around the dam when the reservoir is too full.
All About the Humboldt Reservoir
The water held back by the Humboldt Dam forms the Humboldt Reservoir. It is also sometimes called the Wolf's Run Reservoir. This reservoir is owned by the Mt. Pleasant Water Supply Company.
The Humboldt Reservoir can hold a lot of water, about 144 million US gallons (550 Ml)! Its surface area, which is the size of the water's top, is about 35.0 acres (14.2 ha).
In the 1970s, this reservoir, along with others nearby, helped supply water to 14,400 people. Long ago, in the early 1900s, Wolffs Run and another stream called Barnes Run provided a big part of the water supply for the city of Hazleton. They supplied about 25 percent of the city's water!
What Is the Wolffs Run Watershed?
The 'watershed' of Wolffs Run is the entire area of land where all the rain and snowmelt drain into this stream. The watershed of Wolffs Run covers an area of about 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2).
This watershed is part of a larger system. It belongs to the Lower North Branch Susquehanna River drainage basin. This means that eventually, the water from Wolffs Run makes its way to the Susquehanna River.
A Look at Wolffs Run's History
Wolffs Run was officially added to the Geographic Names Information System on January 1, 1990. This system keeps track of names and locations of places in the United States.
The stream is also mentioned in the Atlas of the Anthracite Coalfields of Pennsylvania. This atlas is a collection of maps and information about the coal mining regions in Pennsylvania.
In 1988, the city of Hazleton asked for a grant of $750,000. This money was needed to help fix and repair the Humboldt Reservoir on Wolffs Run.
