Tower Branch

Last updated
Tower Branch
Physical characteristics
Main source wetland in Harford Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania
1,381 ft (421 m)
River mouth Tunkhannock Creek in Lenox Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania near Glenwood
807 ft (246 m)
41°40′31″N75°42′18″W / 41.67521°N 75.70496°W / 41.67521; -75.70496 Coordinates: 41°40′31″N75°42′18″W / 41.67521°N 75.70496°W / 41.67521; -75.70496
Length 4.8 mi (7.7 km)
Basin features
Progression Tunkhannock Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay
Tributaries
  • Right:
    two unnamed tributaries

Tower Branch is a tributary of Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.8 miles (7.7 km) long and flows through Harford Township and Lenox Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 3.69 square miles (9.6 km2). The stream is not designated as an impaired waterbody and has no named tributaries. The surficial geology in its vicinity consists mainly of Wisconsinan Till, alluvium, with some lakes, wetlands, bedrock, and alluvial fan. The stream's drainage basin is classified as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

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.

Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania County in the United States

Susquehanna County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 43,356. Its county seat is Montrose. The county was created on February 21, 1810, from part of Luzerne County and later organized in 1812. It is named for the Susquehanna River.

Harford Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania Township in Pennsylvania, United States

Harford Township is a township in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,430 at the 2010 census.

Contents

Course

Tower Branch begins in a wetland in Harford Township. It flows south-southeast for a few tenths of a mile, passing through a small unnamed pond and entering another wetland. The stream then turns south, entering Lenox Township and passing through another pond and another wetland. It then flows south-southwest for several tenths of a mile before turning south-southeast for several tenths of a mile. In this reach, it receives an unnamed tributary from the right. The stream eventually turns southeast for several tenths of a mile before abruptly turning south-southwest for more than a mile, receiving an unnamed tributary from the right. It then turns south for several tenths of a mile before turning southeast and crossing Pennsylvania Route 92. A short distance further downstream, it reaches its confluence with Tunkhannock Creek. [1]

Wetland A land area that is permanently or seasonally saturated with water

A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is inundated by water, either permanently or seasonally, where oxygen-free processes prevail. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other land forms or water bodies is the characteristic vegetation of aquatic plants, adapted to the unique hydric soil. Wetlands play a number of functions, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients, stabilization of shorelines, and support of plants and animals. Wetlands are also considered the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems, serving as home to a wide range of plant and animal life. Whether any individual wetland performs these functions, and the degree to which it performs them, depends on characteristics of that wetland and the lands and waters near it. Methods for rapidly assessing these functions, wetland ecological health, and general wetland condition have been developed in many regions and have contributed to wetland conservation partly by raising public awareness of the functions and the ecosystem services some wetlands provide.

Pennsylvania Route 92 highway in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Route 92 is a 66-mile-long (106 km) north–south state highway located in northeast Pennsylvania. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 11 in West Pittston. The northern terminus is at the New York-Pennsylvania border in Oakland Township, where PA 92 continues northward as New York State Route 79 (NY 79).

Tower Branch is approximately 4.8 miles (7.7 km) long. [1] It joins Tunkhannock Creek 22.70 miles (36.53 km) upstream of its mouth. [2]

Hydrology, geography and geology

The elevation near the mouth of Tower Branch is 807 feet (246 m) above sea level. [3] The elevation near the stream's source is 1,381 feet (421 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.

The surficial geology near the mouth of Tower Branch mainly consists of alluvial fan. Most of the area in stream's vicinity has its surficial geology dominated by a till known as Wisconsinan Till, but there are patches of alluvium and smaller patches of lakes and wetlands. Bedrock consisting of sandstone and shale occurs in the surficial geology on parts of some hills near the stream. [4]

Till Unsorted glacial sediment

Till or glacial till is unsorted glacial sediment.

Alluvium Loose soil or sediment that is eroded and redeposited in a non-marine setting

Alluvium is loose, unconsolidated soil or sediment that has been eroded, reshaped by water in some form, and redeposited in a non-marine setting. Alluvium is typically made up of a variety of materials, including fine particles of silt and clay and larger particles of sand and gravel. When this loose alluvial material is deposited or cemented into a lithological unit, or lithified, it is called an alluvial deposit.

Tower Branch is not designated as an impaired waterbody. [5]

Watershed

The watershed of Tower Branch has an area of 3.69 square miles (9.6 km2). [2] The stream is entirely within the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Lenoxville. [3] Its mouth is located near Glenwood. [2]

Williams Field Services Company, LLC has received a permit to built, maintain, and operate a 12-inch (30 cm) natural gas pipeline passing through the watershed of Tower Branch and crossing one or more of its unnamed tributaries. [6]

History

Tower Branch was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1189677. [3]

A concrete tee beam bridge carrying Pennsylvania Route 92 over Tower Branch was constructed in Lenox Township in 1957 and is 27.9 feet (8.5 m) long. [7]

Biology

The drainage basin of Tower Branch is classified as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. [8] Wild trout naturally reproduce in Tower Branch from its upper reaches downstream to its mouth, a distance of 4.10 miles (6.60 km). [9] The designated use for the stream is aquatic life. [5]

The Cecil/Wagner Property, part of the North Branch Land Trust is located in the watersheds of Tower Branch and Tunkhannock Creek, in Lenox Township. The property has an area of 84 acres (34 ha) and includes agricultural fields, coniferous forests, deciduous forests, meadows, a pond, a stream, and wetlands. It contains an "astonishing diversity of high-quality flora and fauna species" as well as species that are rare in the area. The property is home to nine Species of Special Concern in Pennsylvania. [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Willow Brook is a tributary of Utley Brook in Susquehanna County and Wyoming County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long and flows through Lenox Township in Susquehanna County and Nicholson Township in Wyoming County. The surfcial geology in the vicinity of the stream consists mainly of Wisconsinan Till, bedrock, alluvium, wetlands, and a lake. A number of bridges have been constructed across it. The stream is classified as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Millard Creek is a tributary of Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It is approximately 6.2 miles (10.0 km) long and flows through Harford Township and Lenox Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 5.66 square miles (14.7 km2). The creek is not designated as an impaired waterbody. The surficial geology in its vicinity includes Wisconsinan Till, alluvium, wetlands, lakes, bedrock, and alluvial fan. The dominant land uses in the creek's watershed include forested land and agricultural land. A number of bridges have been constructed over the creek. Its drainage basin is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Partners Creek is a tributary of Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 6.4 miles (10.3 km) long and flows through Harford Township and Lenox Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 5.84 square miles (15.1 km2). The creek has one named tributary, which is known as Sterling Brook. The drainage basin of Partners Creek is classified as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. The surficial geology in the vicinity of the creek consists of Wisconsinan Till, alluvium, bedrock, wetlands, lakes, and alluvial fan.

Nine Partners Creek is a tributary of Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 10 miles (16 km) long and flows through New Milford Township, Harford Township, and Lenox Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 38.6 square miles (100 km2). The creek has two named tributaries: Butler Creek and Leslie Creek. The surficial geology in the vicinity of Nine Partners Creek includes Wisconsinan Till, alluvium, bedrock, alluvial fan, and wetlands. The creek's drainage basin is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Leslie Creek is a tributary of Nine Partners Creek in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.7 miles (7.6 km) long and flows through New Milford Township and Harford Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 4.59 square miles (11.9 km2). The creek is not designated as an impaired waterbody. It flows through a lake known as Tingley Lake in its upper reaches. The surficial geology in the vicinity of Leslie Creek mainly includes Wisconsinan Till and alluvium, with some alluvial fan, wetlands, and lakes.

Bell Creek (Tunkhannock Creek tributary)

Bell Creek is a tributary of Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 5.2 miles (8.4 km) long and flows through Gibson Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 5.64 square miles (14.6 km2). The surficial geology the creek's vicinity includes Wisconsinan Till, alluvium, bedrock, wetlands, lakes, and alluvial fan. It has no named tributaries, but does flow through a lake known as Potter Lake. A bridge on the National Register of Historic Places crosses Bell Creek as well. The creek's watershed is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Bear Swamp Creek is a tributary of Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.3 miles (6.9 km) long and flows through Gibson Township and Clifford Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 3.92 square miles (10.2 km2). The creek has no named tributaries, and is not designated as an impaired waterbody. It does pass through a wetland known as Bear Swamp. The drainage basin of the creek is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

Tinker Creek is a tributary of East Branch Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.3 miles (6.9 km) long and flows through Clifford Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 5.02 square miles (13.0 km2). The creek is not designated as an impaired waterbody and has no named tributaries. It is classified as Class A Wild Trout Waters.

Dundaff Creek is a tributary of East Branch Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County and Lackawanna County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 6.7 miles (10.8 km) long and flows through Clifford Township in Susquehanna County and Greenfield Township in Lackawanna County. The watershed of the creek has an area of 10.3 square miles (27 km2). The creek has no named tributaries and is not designated as an impaired waterbody.

Idlewild Creek is a tributary of East Branch Tunkhannock Creek in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 5.1 miles (8.2 km) long and flows through Clifford Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 8.14 square miles (21.1 km2). The creek is not designated as an impaired waterbody and has no named tributaries. A 68.4 acres (27.7 ha) lake known as Lake Idlewild is located in the creek's watershed. Wild trout naturally reproduce in the creek.

Taques Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.9 miles (4.7 km) long and flows through Washington Township and Tunkhannock Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 4.96 square miles (12.8 km2). The creek is not designated as an impaired waterbody and has no named tributaries. Its watershed is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.

References

  1. 1 2 3 United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer , retrieved July 8, 2016
  2. 1 2 3 Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, p. 142, retrieved July 7, 2016
  3. 1 2 3 Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: Tower Branch , retrieved July 8, 2016
  4. ↑ Duane D. Braun (2007), Surficial geology of the Lenoxville 7.5-minute quadrangle, Susquehanna, Lackawanna, and Wyoming Counties, Pennsylvania, p. 14, retrieved July 8, 2016
  5. 1 2 United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2006 Waterbody Report for Tower Branch , retrieved July 8, 2016
  6. ↑ "Federal Water Pollution Control Act section 401", Pennsylvania Bulletin , July 13, 2013, retrieved July 8, 2016
  7. ↑ Susquehanna County , retrieved July 8, 2016
  8. ↑ §93.9i Drainage List I Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania Susquehanna River (PDF), p. 45, retrieved July 8, 2016
  9. ↑ Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (May 2016), Pennsylvania Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) – May 2016 (PDF), p. 81, retrieved July 8, 2016
  10. ↑ North Branch Land Trust, Cecil/Wagner , retrieved July 8, 2016
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