Trout Brook (Toby Creek tributary)

Trout Brook is a tributary of Toby Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.4 miles (5.5 km) long and flows through Dallas Township.[1] Its watershed has an area of 4.20 square miles (10.9 km2). It is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. The stream is affected by sediment deposits and debris such as fallen trees. Wisconsinan Till, alluvium, wetlands, and bedrock consisting of shale and sandstone occur in the stream's vicinity.

Trout Brook
Trout Brook
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationpond near Lower Demunds Road in Dallas Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
 • elevation1,200 ft (370 m)
Mouth 
 • location
Toby Creek in Dallas Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
 • coordinates
41°19′50″N 75°56′36″W
 • elevation
1,020 ft (310 m)
Length3.4 mi (5.5 km)
Basin size4.20 sq mi (10.9 km2)
Basin features
ProgressionToby Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay

Course

Trout Brook begins in a pond near Lower Demunds Road in Dallas Township. It flows south-southeast alongside the road for nearly a mile before turning south. Over the next mile or so, it continues flowing alongside Lower Deumunds Road, crossing it several times. The stream then turns south-southwest and enters a valley as it continues to flow alongside the road. After several tenths of a mile, it turns south and passes through Maplewood Heights before turning south-southwest. Several tenths of a mile further downstream, it reaches its confluence with Toby Creek just north of Shavertown.[1]

Trout Brook joins Toby Creek 7.60 miles (12.23 km) upstream of its mouth.[2]

Geography and geology

The elevation near the mouth of Trout Brook is 1,020 feet (310 m) above sea level.[3] The elevation of the stream's source is just over 1,200 feet (370 m) above sea level.[1]

Logs and other types of debris commonly wash into Trout Brook. The stream has also been affected by sediment accumulating in it. This has lowered the depth of the streambed to a few feet in locations where it was considerably deeper at times during the 20th century.[4] Chief Gathering, LLC has an erosion and sediment control permit involving the stream.[5]

The surficial geology in the vast majority of areas near Trout Brook features a glacial or resedimented till known as Wisconsinan Till and bedrock consisting of sandstone and shale. However, there is also an area of alluvium near its mouth.[6]

Watershed

The watershed of Trout Brook has an area of 4.20 square miles (10.9 km2).[2] The creek is entirely within the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Kingston.[3]

The watershed of Trout Brook is relatively undeveloped compared to the land near the main stem of Toby Creek. However, the watershed is beginning to urbanize. This could potentially lead to an increase in high stream flows.[7]

Runoff from a development in the vicinity of Trout Brook occasionally overflows its detention pond and flows into the stream. As of 2005, another proposed development may also send water into the stream. Due to its shallow streambed, this poses a flooding risk.[4] A patch of wetland is located along the lower reaches of the stream.[6]

History

Trout Brook was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on October 1, 1992. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1214669.[3]

Trout Brook was affected by Tropical Storm Lee and Tropical Storm Irene. These tropical storms caused the stream to be clogged with large amounts of debris. State and federal funds were used to clear away the debris.[8]

Biology

Trout Brook is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.[5]

See also

References
  1. United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer, retrieved February 16, 2015
  2. Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, p. 142, retrieved February 16, 2015
  3. Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: Trout Brook, retrieved February 16, 2015
  4. Ronald Bartizek (March 23, 2005), TOBY CREEK STUDY IN SPOTLIGHT/ REPORT OF THE STREAM AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES COVERS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO FLOODING, Times Leader, retrieved February 17, 2015
  5. ACTIONS ON COAL AND NONCOAL MINING ACTIVITY APPLICATIONS, Pennsylvania Bulletin, July 14, 2014, retrieved February 17, 2015
  6. Duane D. Braun, Surficial geology of the Kingston 7.5-minute quadrangle, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, p. 15, archived from the original on May 24, 2014, retrieved February 17, 2015
  7. Luzerne Conservation District, 2010 ANNUAL REPORT (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016, retrieved February 17, 2015
  8. Sarah Hite (February 17, 2013), Gas company begins work, Dallas Post, retrieved February 17, 2015
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