Leggetts Creek
Leggetts Creek Legget Creek, Leggett's Gap Creek, Leggits Creek, Liggett's Creek | |
---|---|
Etymology | James Leggett, an early settler in the area |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | wetland in Scott Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania |
• elevation | between 1,600 and 1,620 feet (490 and 490 m) |
Mouth | |
• location | Lackawanna River in Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania |
• coordinates | 41°26′41″N 75°38′36″W / 41.44482°N 75.64331°W |
• elevation | 715 ft (218 m) |
Length | 9.0 mi (14.5 km) |
Basin size | 18.5 sq mi (48 km2) |
Basin features | |
Progression | Lackawanna River → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
Tributaries | |
• left | Clover Hill Creek |
• right | Summit Lake Creek, Leach Creek |
Leggetts Creek (also known as Legget Creek, Leggett's Gap Creek, Leggits Creek and originally as Liggett's Creek) is a
The watershed of the creek has an area of 18.5 square miles (48 km2). The creek has three named tributaries: Leach Creek, Clover Hill Creek, and Summit Lake Creek. Leggetts Creek is considered to be impaired due to urban development problems, but is not affected by acid mine drainage. The creek is fairly alkaline and is a perennial stream. Its headwaters are in wetlands outside of the Lackawanna Valley and it flows through a water gap known as Leggetts Gap or The Notch. Major lakes in the watershed include the Griffin Reservoir (which is used as a water supply), Summit Lake, and Maple Lake. The creek is a source of flooding in South Abington Township.A historic Native American path used to pass through the water gap of Leggetts Creek on its way from the headwaters of the Lehigh River to the Great Bend on the Susquehanna River near the Pennsylvania/New York border. Some mining and quarrying operations have been done in the watershed and the Liggett's Gap Railroad was built and was opened, through what was called Liggett's Gap at the time, on April 15, 1851.[2] In the late 19th, 20th, and early 21st centuries, numerous bridges were constructed across the creek. Wild trout naturally reproduce within the creek and several other species have been observed in its waters as well. Some reaches of the creek have a riparian buffer consisting of old growth forests. In other places, there are grasslands or invasive plants. A greenway/connecting trail along the creek was proposed in the Lackawanna River Watershed Conservation Plan.
Course
Leggetts Creek begins in a
Leggetts Creek reaches its confluence with the Lackawanna River 14.36 miles (23.11 km) upriver of its mouth.[3]
Tributaries
Leggetts Creek has three named direct tributaries: Leach Creek, Clover Hill Creek, and Summit Lake Creek.[1] Leach Creek joins Leggetts Creek 1.00 mile (1.61 km) upstream of its mouth. Its watershed has an area of 2.55 square miles (6.6 km2). Summit Lake Creek joins Leggetts Creek 3.90 miles (6.28 km) upstream of its mouth. Its watershed has an area of 3.08 square miles (8.0 km2).[3] Leggetts Creek also has a number of first-order tributaries that are locally named, but not officially named.[4]
Hydrology
Leggetts Creek is considered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to be impaired due to urban development problems.[5]
It is possible that Leggetts Creek sometimes exceeds its
South Abington Township once applied for a permit to discharge stormwater associated with construction activities into Leggetts Creek and for a permit for "Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems" into the creek.[7]
Leggetts Creek attains its designated uses.[6] However, its water quality and habitat quality are significantly impacted and it contributes significantly to the degradation of the Lackawanna River.[5][6] The degradation is mainly due to urbanization, as opposed to abandoned mine drainage. The creek is a perennial stream.[5] In a 2009 study, the creek was described as showing "some degraded conditions".[8]
Leggetts Creek has relatively high levels of
The concentration of
The peak annual discharge of Leggetts Creek near its mouth has a 10 percent chance of reaching 2180 cubic feet per second. It has a 2 percent chance of reaching 4440 cubic feet per second and a 1 percent chance of reaching 5790 cubic feet per second. The peak annual discharge has a 0.2 percent chance of reaching 10,800 cubic feet per second. The peak annual discharge of the creek upstream of the tributary Leach Creek has a 10 percent chance of reaching 2130 cubic feet per second. It has a 2 percent chance of reaching 4340 cubic feet per second and a 1 percent chance of reaching 5620 cubic feet per second. The peak annual discharge has a 0.2 percent chance of reaching 10,600 cubic feet per second.[9]
The peak annual discharge of Leggetts Creek at Neary Place (Mary Street) has a 10 percent chance of reaching 2470 cubic feet per second. It has a 2 percent chance of reaching 5070 cubic feet per second and a 1 percent chance of reaching 6760 cubic feet per second. The peak annual discharge has a 0.2 percent chance of reaching 12,600 cubic feet per second. The peak annual discharge of the creek at the border between Scranton and South Abington Township has a 10 percent chance of reaching 2130 cubic feet per second. It has a 2 percent chance of reaching 4340 cubic feet per second and a 1 percent chance of reaching 5320 cubic feet per second. The peak annual discharge has a 0.2 percent chance of reaching 9030 cubic feet per second.[9]
Geography, geology, and climate
The elevation near the mouth of Leggetts Creek is 715 feet (218 m) above sea level.[10] The elevation of the creek's source is between 1,600 and 1,620 feet (490 and 490 m) above sea level.[1] During a 2013 fish population survey, the average stream width of the creek was found to be approximately 18 feet (5.5 m).[5]
Leggetts Creek flows through a water gap known as Leggetts Gap or The Notch. The gap is cut through the West or Lackawanna Mountain Range by the creek. There have been some
There are
The headwaters of Leggetts Creek are outside of the Lackawanna Valley.[6] At Providence, the creek flowed directly southeast prior to the glacial period, reaching the Lackawanna River approximately 0.5 miles (0.80 km) downstream of its current location. However, the course now flows to the east instead. The old course of the creek has been built over.[12] There is a ledge on the north bank of Leggetts Creek in its lower reaches.[13] The creek makes a sharp eastward bend around Providence. From this point downstream to its mouth, it flows through a rocky channel that contains a thick covering of till on its upper walls.[12]
A
A
In early March 2013, the temperature in the vicinity of Leggetts Creek was once measured to be 42 °F (6 °C). A 2013/2014 study found the water temperature of the creek to range from 0.97 to 22.64 °C (33.75 to 72.75 °F), with an average of 11.62 °C (52.92 °F).[6]
Watershed
The
Major land uses in the watershed of Leggetts Creek include high-density residential, neighborhood commercial, and open space.[6]
Lakes in the watershed of Leggetts Creek include the Griffin Reservoir, Maple Lake, and Summit Lake. These bodies of water are in South Abington Township and Scott Township. The Griffin Reservoir supplies water to people in the Leggetts Creek watershed.[4] The creek and the reservoir serve as a supplemental drinking water supply for more than 100,000 people as of the late 20th century.[17] A spring known as Fountain Springs is in the watershed in South Abington Township. The Justus Meadows are in the watershed in Scott Township. Most of the watershed is developed, but there are still a few undeveloped reaches of the creek.[4]
As of the early 2000s, the Theta Company owns some tracts of land in the watershed of Leggetts Creek. These include areas around the Griffin Reservoir and Maple Lake.[4] Some property along the creek's floodplain is owned by the city of Scranton. Additionally, there are parcels of abandoned mine lands in the vicinity of the creek in northern Scranton. These parcels may be developed by the 2020s. The major neighborhoods in the watershed include historic residential neighborhoods that were developed between 1870 and 1920.[6]
Leggetts Creek is a source of
History and etymology
Leggetts Creek was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 30, 1990. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1199030. The creek is also known as Legget Creek, Leggett's Gap Creek, and Leggits Creek. The creek is named after James Leggett, a pioneer who settled there in the 1770s.[10][18]
A historic
Numerous
In 1975, a 48.9-foot-long concrete tee beam bridge was built; this bridge carries Hollow Ave over Leggetts Creek. In 1979, a 37.1-foot-long prestressed
In the late 1960s, a
Historic places in the watershed of Leggetts Creek include Griffins Mills, which are in South Abington. The Aladdin Plating site, which is in the watershed of Leggetts Creek in South Abington, is a Superfund site. In the early 2000s, the Lackawanna River Watershed Conservation Plan recommended that Scranton, South Abington Township, and Scott Township include protection of Leggetts Creek in their zoning plans.[4]
Biology
Wild trout naturally reproduce in Leggetts Creek from Summit Lake Creek downstream to its mouth, a distance of 3.60 miles (5.79 km).[26] It is stocked with trout and also is inhabited by some non-game species.[6] The drainage basin of the creek upstream of Summit Lake Creek is a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. From Summit Lake Creek downstream to its mouth, the drainage basin is a Trout Stocked Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.[27] In a 2013 fishery survey of the creek, nine brown trout were observed. Their lengths ranged from 84 to 316 millimeters, with an average of 139 millimeters. The vast majority were in the 75 to 99 millimeter bracket. Their population density was 164 per hectare.[5]
In the fishery survey of Leggetts Creek, brown trout and
The plant life around the Griffin Reservoir on Leggetts Creek includes various
At three sites on Leggetts Creek, the EPT (
Recreation
A greenway and/or connecting trail along Leggetts Creek was proposed in the Lackawanna River Watershed Conservation Plan in the early 2000s. The greenway would be known as the Leggetts Creek greenway. It could link to the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and could be extended to link to the Tunkhannock greenway. The South Abington Park and the Leggetts Creek Trail are in Chinchilla and the creek flows through the latter. Trestle Hole Park is also along the creek's lower reaches.[4] The Dutch Gap Little League Field is located at Wells Street.[6]
See also
- Meadow Brook (Lackawanna River), next tributary of the Lackawanna River going downriver
- Price Creek (Pennsylvania), next tributary of the Lackawanna River going upriver
- List of rivers of Pennsylvania
- List of tributaries of the Lackawanna River
References
- ^ a b c d United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer, archived from the original on March 29, 2012, retrieved April 20, 2015
- ^ The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad in the 19th Century, Thomas T. Taber III, 1977, Lycoming Printing Company, Williamsport, PA.
- ^ a b c Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, pp. 84–85, 138, retrieved April 20, 2015
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Lackawanna River Corridor Association (2001), Lackawanna River Watershed Conservation Plan (PDF), pp. 13, 16, 21, 23, 35, 52, 62, 65–66, 98, 102, 122, 124, 209, 292–295, archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015, retrieved April 20, 2015
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Cheryl Nolan (June 25, 2014), 2013 Coldwater Heritage Partnership Grant Lackawanna River Tributaries Study/Plan (PDF), pp. 4–5, 7, 9–12, 20, 24–25, archived from the original (PDF) on February 1, 2015, retrieved April 21, 2015
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Stormwater management (MS4 & CSO) system review: a Phase One assessment and recommendation report for efficient management & sustainable infrastructure (PDF), October 31, 2013, pp. 58–59, 76–77, 87, 235, retrieved April 21, 2015
- ^ "[43 Pa.B. 2329] [Saturday, April 27, 2013] [Continued from previous Web Page]", Pennsylvania Bulletin, April 27, 2013, retrieved April 21, 2015
- ^ a b Susquehanna River Basin Commission (September 2009), Susquehanna River Basin Commission Middle Susquehanna Subbasin Year-1 Survey (PDF), pp. 4, 10, retrieved April 21, 2015
- ^ a b c d e Federal Emergency Management Agency (July 27, 2011), Flood Insurance Study Volume 1 of 3 (PDF), pp. 22, 43, archived from the original (PDF) on April 18, 2015, retrieved April 4, 2015
- ^ a b c Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: Leggetts Creek, retrieved April 20, 2015(registration required)
- ^ Keyser Avenue Borehole Scranton, Pennsylvania Region 3 PAD981036049 (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on March 5, 2013, retrieved April 21, 2015
- ^ a b Bradford Willard, Arthur Bailey Cleaves (1938), A Paleozoic Section in South-central Pennsylvania, Issues 8-11, p. 28
- ^ a b c Bulletin, Issue 25, 1912, pp. 73–74
- ^ Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Run of the River Dams, archived from the original on April 8, 2015, retrieved April 21, 2015
- ^ Pennsylvania Geological Survey (1895), Geological Survey of Pennsylvania: pt. 1. Carboniferous formations, by J.P ..., p. 1967
- ^ Lackawanna River Watershed in Wayne County, Pennsylvania (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on April 27, 2015, retrieved April 21, 2015
- ^ Selected Water Resources Abstracts, Volume 24, Issues 9–10, 1991, p. 170
- ^ Hollister, Horace (1885). History of the Lackawanna Valley. Lippincott. p. 134.
- ^ Exploration: 6000BC - 1790, archived from the original on January 18, 2015, retrieved April 21, 2015
- ^ a b "Railroad Gazette, Volume 34, No. 26", Railroad Gazette, June 27, 1902
- ^ Railway and Locomotive Engineering: A Practical Journal of ..., Volume 18, 1905, p. 102
- ^ Joseph A. Holmes (1912), Mining conditions under the city of Scranton, PA (PDF), p. 18, retrieved April 21, 2015
- ^ a b Lacakwanna County, retrieved April 20, 2015
- ^ Pennsylvania State Planning Board (1968), Pennsylvania Appalachian Development Plan, p. 268
- ^ Harper, Marques G. (December 12, 2000), "County's Environment Grants Top $3 Million Luzerne County Receives State's Growing Greener Funds for the Preservation and Improvement Projects.Growing Greener Grants the $27 Million in Grants for Watershed Restoration Includes", Times Leader, retrieved December 25, 2016
- ^ Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (January 2015), Pennsylvania Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) (PDF), p. 45, archived from the original (PDF) on July 1, 2015, retrieved April 20, 2015
- ^ "§ 93.9j. Drainage List J. Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania Lackawanna River", Pennsylvania Code, retrieved April 20, 2015