Opossum Brook
Opossum Brook | |
---|---|
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | unnamed pond in Ross Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania |
• elevation | 2,136 feet (651 m) |
Mouth | |
• location | Mehoopany Creek in Forkston Township, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania near Bellasylva |
• coordinates | 41°25′14″N 76°12′55″W / 41.42066°N 76.21541°W |
• elevation | 1,555 feet (474 m) |
Length | 4.0 miles (6.4 km) |
Basin size | 5.13 square miles (13.3 km2) |
Basin features | |
Progression | South Brook → Mehoopany Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
Tributaries | |
• left | two unnamed tributaries |
• right | two unnamed tributaries |
Opossum Brook is a
Course
Opossum Brook begins in an unnamed pond in Ross Township, Luzerne County. It flows north for a few tenths of a mile before turning northwest, entering Forkston Township, Wyoming County, passing through another unnamed pond, and entering a large wetland. Here the stream receives an unnamed tributary from the left and turns northeast for several tenths of a mile before receiving another unnamed tributary from the left and one from the right. It then leaves the wetland and turns north, entering a valley. After more than a mile, the stream turns north-northwest for a few tenths of a mile, passing through another wetland before turning northeast. After several tenths of a mile, it receives another unnamed tributary from the right and turns north for a few tenths of a mile. The stream then turns northeast for several tenths of a mile before reaching its confluence with South Brook.[1]
Opossum Brook joins South Brook 0.18 miles (0.29 km) upstream of its mouth.[2]
Hydrology, geography, and geology
The elevation near the mouth of Opossum Brook is 1,555 feet (474 m) above sea level.[3] The elevation near the source of the stream is 2,136 feet (651 m) above sea level.[1] The stream flows in a generally northerly direction.[4]
Opossum Brook is not designated as an impaired waterbody.[5] The stream's water has a dark tinge due to tannin content from the wetlands in its watershed.[6]
Watershed and biology
The
There are wetlands in the watershed of Opossum Brook, including some downstream of Opossum Brook Road.[6]
Opossum Brook is classified as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery.[4] Wild trout naturally reproduce in Opossum Brook from its headwaters downstream to its mouth.[7] The point where Opossum Brook Road crosses the stream has been described as an ideal place for birdwatching.[6] The state-endangered blackpoll warbler has been observed in the Opossum Brook wetlands.[8]
History and recreation
Opossum Brook was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1199254.[3]
Historically, a railroad ran down Opossum Brook to aid companies such as T & T and the Central Pennsylvania Lumber Company in transporting wood logged in the Mehoopany Creek watershed.[9] In 1929, Ralph Davis discovered signs of beavers on the stream while traveling from Rickett's Station to his camp in Hell's Kitchen.[10] This led to an annual beaver harvest in Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 57 that continued until at least the late 1940s.[10] An unpaved road known as Opossum Brook Road crosses Opossum Brook. This road is noted in Jeff Mitchell's book Hiking the Endless Mountains as being a hiking route to Sprankles Pond.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b c United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer, retrieved July 23, 2017
- ^ a b c Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, p. 108, retrieved July 23, 2017
- ^ a b c Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: Opossum Brook, retrieved July 23, 2017
- ^ a b Pennsylvania Environmental Council; Wyoming County Office of Community Planning; Mehoopany Creek Watershed Association (March 31, 2007), Mehoopany Creek and Little Mehoopany Creek Watersheds Rivers Conservation Plan (PDF), p. 18, retrieved July 23, 2017
- ^ a b United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2006 Waterbody Report for Opossum Brook, retrieved July 23, 2017
- ^ ISBN 9780811744232, retrieved July 23, 2017
- ^ Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (May 2017), Pennsylvania Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) – May 2017 (PDF), p. 96, retrieved July 23, 2017
- ^ 2016 Year in Review (PDF), p. 17, archived from the original (PDF) on August 13, 2017, retrieved July 23, 2017
- ^ Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (1999), Logging Railroad Era of Lumbering in Pennsylvania, Issue 3, p. 348, retrieved July 23, 2017
- ^ a b Pennsylvania Game Commission (1948), Pennsylvania Game News, Volume 19, p. 30, retrieved July 23, 2017