Kasson Brook

Last updated
Kasson Brook
Other name(s) Cassan Brook
Physical characteristics
Main source South Mountain in Forkston Township, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania
2,043 feet (623 m)
River mouth Mehoopany Creek in Forkston Township, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania at Kasson Brook
997 feet (304 m)
41°28′36″N76°08′25″W / 41.4766°N 76.1404°W / 41.4766; -76.1404 Coordinates: 41°28′36″N76°08′25″W / 41.4766°N 76.1404°W / 41.4766; -76.1404
Length 2.7 miles (4.3 km)
Basin features
Progression Mehoopany Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay
Basin size 4.53 square miles (11.7 km2)

Kasson Brook (also known as Cassan Brook) is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.7 miles (4.3 km) long and flows through Forkston Township. [1] The watershed of the stream has an area of 4.53 square miles (11.7 km2). The stream is not designated as an impaired waterbody and is classified as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery. It is one of several streams to cut through South Mountain.

Tributary stream or river that flows into a main stem river or lake

A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drainage basin of its surface water and groundwater, leading the water out into an ocean.

Mehoopany Creek tributary of the Susquehanna River

Mehoopany Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Sullivan and Wyoming counties, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 26.8 miles (43.1 km) long. In Sullivan County the creek flows through Colley Township and in Wyoming County it flows through Forkston Township and Mehoopany Township. The stream's watershed has an area of 123 square miles (320 km2). Its major tributaries include Stony Brook and North Fork Mehoopany Creek.

Wyoming County, Pennsylvania County in the United States

Wyoming County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,276. Its county seat is Tunkhannock. It was created in 1842 from part of Luzerne County.

Contents

Course

Kasson Brook begins on South Mountain in Forkston Township. It flows north-northwest for several tenths of a mile, entering a deep valley. The stream then turns west for a few tenths of a mile before turning north-northwest for more than a mile. It then exits its valley, crosses Windy Valley Road, and reaches its confluence with Mehoopany Creek. [1]

Kasson Brook joins Mehoopany Creek 10.78 miles (17.35 km) upstream of its mouth. [2]

Geography and geology

The elevation near the mouth of Kasson Brook is 997 feet (304 m) above sea level. [3] The elevation near the stream's source is 2,043 feet (623 m) above sea level. [1]

River mouth end of a river

A river mouth is the part of a river where the river debouches into another river, a lake, a reservoir, a sea, or an ocean.

Sea level Average level for the surface of the ocean at any given geographical position on the planetary surface

Mean sea level (MSL) is an average level of the surface of one or more of Earth's oceans from which heights such as elevation may be measured. MSL is a type of vertical datum – a standardised geodetic datum – that is used, for example, as a chart datum in cartography and marine navigation, or, in aviation, as the standard sea level at which atmospheric pressure is measured to calibrate altitude and, consequently, aircraft flight levels. A common and relatively straightforward mean sea-level standard is the midpoint between a mean low and mean high tide at a particular location.

River source The starting point of a river

The source or headwaters of a river or stream is the furthest place in that river or stream from its estuary or confluence with another river, as measured along the course of the river.

Kasson Brook is one of five large brooks to divide a large, flat-topped mountain along Mehoopany Creek. Coal smut was also reported at a site at the stream's headwaters in the late 1800s. [4]

Since 2000, a streambank stabilization project has been done on Kasson Brook. [5] Some stream redirection has been done in the vicinity of Kasson Brook's confluence with Mehoopany Creek. This has been controversial among locals, who say that the geographical alterations cause flooding on their property. [6]

Hydrology and watershed

The watershed of Kasson Brook has an area of 4.53 square miles (11.7 km2). [2] The mouth of the stream is in the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Dutch Mountain. However, its source is in the quadrangle of Noxen. [3] The stream joins Mehoopany Creek at the village of Kasson Brook. [2]

Kasson Brook is not designated as an impaired waterbody. [7]

History and recreation

Kasson Brook was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1198961. [3] The stream is also known as Cassan Brook. [4]

At one point, the Civilian Conservation Corp had a camp on Kasson Brook. [8] A concrete tee beam bridge carrying State Route 3001 over Kasson Brook was built in Forkston Township in 1953. It is 36.1 feet (11.0 m) long and is used by an average of 153 vehicles per day. [9] In March 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection collected samples from the stream in response to a request to re-evaluate these streams, as the streams in the Mehoopany Creek watershed had not been assessed in several years. [10]

Pennsylvania State Game Lands are in the vicinity of Kasson Brook. [11] The stream was given its designation as a wild trout stream in 2013. This designation does not affect the way the stream is managed. [12]

Biology

Wild trout naturally reproduce in Kasson Brook from its headwaters downstream to its mouth. [13] The stream is classified as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery. [14] Its designated use is for aquatic life. [7]

The mouth of Kasson Brook is the uppermost limit of trout stocking on Mehoopany Creek. [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

Stony Brook is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.3 miles (6.9 km) long and flows through North Branch township and Forkston Township. The brook has a tributary known as Red Brook. Logging was done in the upper reaches of the watershed of Stony Brook in the early 1900s.

Rogers Hollow is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long and flows through Mehoopany Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 2.44 square miles (6.3 km2). The creek is classified as a Coldwater Fishery and is in the vicinity of Mehoopany Mountain and Doll Mountain.

North Branch Mehoopany Creek is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Bradford County, Sullivan County, and Wyoming County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 14 miles (23 km) long and flows through Wilmot Township in Bradford County, Colley Township in Sullivan County, and North Branch Township and Forkston Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 40.0 square miles (104 km2). The creek has eight named direct tributaries, including hollows. In the 1940s and 1950s, the average discharge for September was found to be just 6.8 cubic feet per second (0.19 m3/s), but was found to be over 100 cubic feet per second (2.8 m3/s) for July and August.

Bowman Hollow is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long and flows through Forkston Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 3.08 square miles (8.0 km2). The stream flows over a highly secluded waterfall known as the Bowman Hollow Falls.

White Brook

White Brook is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long and flows through North Branch Township and Forkston Township, in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The stream's watershed has an area of 1.75 square miles (4.5 km2). The stream is classified as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery. It has a small waterfall and a hiking path is located nearby.

Scouten Brook is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long and flows through Forkston Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.66 square miles (6.9 km2). The stream is designated as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and has wild trout. It is one of five large brooks to cut through South Mountain.

Henry Lott Brook is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long and flows through Forkston Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.68 square miles (6.9 km2). The stream is not designated as an impaired waterbody and it is classified as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery. It is one of five large tributaries of Mehoopany Creek to cut through the Mehoopany Creek-Bowman Creek watershed divide.

Somer Brook is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long and flows through Noxen Township and Forkston Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 4.48 square miles (11.6 km2). The stream is not designated as an impaired waterbody and is classified as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery. Fauna that have been observed in the stream's vicinity include northern water shrews and trout.

Becker Brook is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.6 miles (4.2 km) long and flows through Forkston Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.33 square miles (6.0 km2). The stream is designated as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery. It is small and secluded, with a swamp known as the Becker Brook Swamp at its headwaters.

South Brook is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Luzerne County and Wyoming County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 6.0 miles (9.7 km) long and flows through Ross Township and Lake Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania in Luzerne County and Forkston Township in Wyoming County. The watershed of the stream has an area of 10.1 square miles (26 km2). Wild trout are present in the stream and it has one named tributary, which is known as Opossum Brook.

Opossum Brook is a tributary of South Brook in Luzerne County and Wyoming County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.0 miles (6.4 km) long and flows through Ross Township in Luzerne County and Forkston Township in Wyoming County. The watershed of the stream has an area of 5.13 square miles (13.3 km2). The stream is classified as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and has wild trout. The stream has a number of wetlands in its watershed and in some areas is good for birdwatching.

Bellas Brook is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.3 miles (3.7 km) long and flows through Forkston Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.71 square miles (7.0 km2). The stream is not designated as an impaired waterbody and is classified as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery.

Cherry Ridge Run is a tributary of Mehoopany Creek in Luzerne County and Wyoming County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.6 miles (2.6 km) long and flows through Fairmount Township in Luzerne County and Forkston Township in Wyoming County. The watershed of the stream has an area of 1.66 square miles (4.3 km2). The stream is not designated as an impaired waterbody and has a 16 acres (6.5 ha) pond known as Wild Fowl Pond.

Farr Hollow is a tributary of North Branch Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.1 miles (5.0 km) long and flows through Windham Township and North Branch Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.99 square miles (7.7 km2). The stream is not designated as an impaired waterbody and flows through a mixture of forested and agricultural land. Eleven different fish species have been observed in the stream, including brook trout.

Douglas Hollow is a tributary of North Branch Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and flows through North Branch Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 1.57 square miles (4.1 km2). The stream is classified as a Coldwater Fishery and is inhabited by four fish species, including wild brook trout. Its entire length is within 300 meters (980 ft) of a road and it flows through a mixture of forested and agricultural land.

Burgess Brook is a tributary of North Branch Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.2 miles (1.9 km) long and flows through North Branch Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 1.42 square miles (3.7 km2). The stream is narrow, with a high gradient, and is located in a remote area, mostly far away from any roads. It is designated as Class A Wild Trout Waters and has a large population of brook trout, as well as smaller numbers of brown trout. Three other fish species are also present in the stream.

Miller Brook is a tributary of North Branch Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long and flows through North Branch Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 3.86 square miles (10.0 km2). The stream is not designated as an impaired waterbody. Wild trout naturally reproduce in the stream, and several other fish species have been observed.

Sciota Brook is a tributary of North Branch Mehoopany Creek in Bradford County, Sullivan County, and Wyoming County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.0 miles (3.2 km) long and flows through Wilmot Township in Bradford County, Colley Township in Sullivan County, and North Branch Township in Wyoming County. The watershed of the stream has an area of 3.23 square miles (8.4 km2). The stream itself is a moderate-gradient stream in an area consisting primarily of agricultural land and woodlots.

Barnes Brook is a tributary of North Branch Mehoopany Creek in Wyoming County and Sullivan County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long and flows through North Branch Township in Wyoming County and Colley Township in Sullivan County. The watershed of the stream has an area of 1.98 square miles (5.1 km2). It is a high-gradient stream that flows mainly through forested lands, and has one named tributary.

References

  1. 1 2 3 United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer , retrieved July 16, 2017
  2. 1 2 3 Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, p. 80, retrieved July 16, 2017
  3. 1 2 3 Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: Kasson Brook , retrieved July 16, 2017
  4. 1 2 Israel Charles White (1883), The Geology of the Susquehanna River Region in the Six Counties, 25, pp. 406–407, retrieved July 16, 2017
  5. ↑ Mehoopany Creek Watershed Association (Spring 2013), Newsletter (PDF), p. 1, retrieved July 16, 2017
  6. ↑ Bob Baker (June 17, 2014), "Wyoming County residents demand answers over flood funds", The Citizens' Voice , retrieved July 16, 2017
  7. 1 2 United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2006 Waterbody Report for Kasson Brook , retrieved July 16, 2017
  8. ↑ "The Wilkes-Barre Record from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania", The Wilkes-Barre Record, p. 12, August 10, 1933, retrieved July 21, 2017
  9. ↑ SR 3001 over KASSON BROOK , retrieved July 16, 2017
  10. ↑ Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Inquiries pertaining to Status of other Stream Evaluations (PDF), p. 9, retrieved July 16, 2017
  11. 1 2 T. C. Mazar (April 2007), Our Finest Eastern Region Trout Streams, Game & Fish Mag, retrieved July 16, 2017
  12. ↑ Mehoopany Creek Watershed Association (Spring 2013), Newsletter (PDF), p. 3, retrieved July 21, 2017
  13. ↑ Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (May 2017), Pennsylvania Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) - May 2017 (PDF), p. 96, retrieved July 16, 2017
  14. ↑ 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. 17, retrieved July 16, 2017
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