Wolf Run
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationvalley near the edge of a plateau in Ross Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
 • elevationjust over 2,140 feet (650 m)
Mouth 
 • location
Bowman Creek at Mountain Springs in Ross Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
 • coordinates
41°21′05″N 76°11′42″W / 41.35148°N 76.19498°W / 41.35148; -76.19498
 • elevation
1,736 ft (529 m)
Length0.9 mi (1.4 km)
Basin size0.74 sq mi (1.9 km2)
Basin features
ProgressionBowman Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay

Wolf Run is a tributary of Bowman Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 0.9 miles (1.4 km) long and flows through Ross Township.[1] The watershed of the stream has an area of 0.74 square miles (1.9 km2). The surficial geology in its vicinity consists of Wisconsinan Till, alluvium, alluvial fan, and bedrock. There are a series of wetlands at the stream's headwaters. These wetlands are listed on the Luzerne County Natural Areas Inventory. The drainage basin of the stream is designated as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Course

Wolf Run begins in a valley near the edge of a plateau in Ross Township. It flows south-southwest for several hundred feet before turning south-southeast and flowing down a slope. After a few tenths of a mile, the stream turns south for a few tenths of a mile before reaching the base of the slope. It then reaches its confluence with Bowman Creek.[1]

Wolf Run joins Bowman Creek 24.04 miles (38.69 km) upstream of its mouth.[2]

Geography and geology

The elevation near the mouth of Wolf Run is 1,736 feet (529 m) above sea level.[3] The elevation of the stream's source is just over 2,140 feet (650 m) above sea level.[1]

The surficial geology near the mouth of Wolf Run consists of alluvium and alluvial fan, which both contain stratified sand, silt, and gravel, as well as some boulders. Further upstream, the surficial geology consists of a till known as Wisconsinan Till. At the headwaters, the surficial geology features bedrock containing sandstone and shale.[4]

Watershed

The watershed of Wolf Run has an area of 0.74 square miles (1.9 km2).[2] The stream is entirely within the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Sweet Valley.[3] Its mouth is located at Mountain Springs.[2]

There are several hydrologically connected wetlands at the headwaters of Wolf Run.[5]

History and recreation

Wolf Run was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1191676.[3]

Wolf Run was historically used as a water supply for the Lehigh Valley Railroad.[6]

At least part of Wolf Run is in Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 57 and a hiking trail is located relatively close by.[5]

Biology

The drainage basin of Wolf Run is designated as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.[7] Wild trout naturally reproduce in the stream from its headwaters downstream to its mouth.[8]

The wetlands at the headwaters of Wolf Run are listed on the Luzerne County Natural Areas Inventory. The center of the wetlands is relatively open and they are bordered by shrubs. Major plant species at the site include cinnamon fern, highbush blueberry, cotton grass, soft rush, woolgrass, groundberry, huckleberry, cranberry, and swamp candles. Other major species include the sedgees Carex stricta, Carex rustrata, and Carex folliculata, mosses, and red spruce. Two animal species of concern have been observed at the site.[5]

There are no serious disturbances at wetlands at the headwaters of Wolf Run. A trail passes close to the wetlands, but there is little sign of the wetlands being trampled by hikers. Deer browsing is also a possible threat to the area, but no impacts have been observed. Logging and hydrological changes are also possible threats to the site.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer, retrieved October 18, 2015
  2. 1 2 3 Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, p. 153, retrieved October 18, 2015
  3. 1 2 3 Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: Wolf Run, retrieved October 18, 2015
  4. ↑ Duane D. Braun (2007), SURFICIAL GEOLOGY OF THE SWEET VALLEY 7.5-MINUTE QUADRANGLE, LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA (PDF), p. 17, archived from the original (PDF) on July 13, 2007, retrieved October 19, 2015
  5. 1 2 3 4 Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (2006), A NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA (PDF), pp. 12, 224–225, retrieved October 19, 2015
  6. ↑ Pennsylvania Water Supply Commission (1921), Water Resources Inventory Report ...: Act of July 25, 1913, Parts 1-4, p. 246, retrieved October 19, 2015
  7. ↑ "§ 93.9i. Drainage List I. Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania Susquehanna River", Pennsylvania Code, retrieved October 18, 2015
  8. ↑ Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (August 2015), Pennsylvania Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) - August 2015 (PDF), p. 52, retrieved October 18, 2015
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