Wasp Branch is a tributary of Pine Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and flows through Fairmount Township.[1] The watershed of the stream has an area of 0.90 square miles (2.3 km2). The stream is considered to be Class A Wild Trout Waters, a Coldwater Fishery, and a Migratory Fishery. Glacial till and bedrock consisting of stone and shale can be found in the stream's vicinity.
| Wasp Branch | |
|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | near the village of Mossville in Fairmount Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania |
| • elevation | between 1,220 and 1,240 feet (370 and 380 m) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Pine Creek in Fairmount Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania |
• coordinates | 41°14′51″N 76°17′05″W / 41.24758°N 76.28474°W |
• elevation | 974 ft (297 m) |
| Length | 1.7 mi (2.7 km) |
| Basin size | 0.90 sq mi (2.3 km2) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Pine Creek → Huntington Creek → Fishing Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay |
Course edit
Wasp Branch begins near the village of Mossville in Fairmount Township. It flows south-southeast and enters a valley within a few tenths of a mile. The stream then turns south, its valley gradually becoming deeper. After more than a mile, it reaches its confluence with Pine Creek.[1]
Wasp Branch joins Pine Creek 9.74 miles (15.68 km) upstream of its mouth.[2]
Hydrology, geography and geology edit
The concentration of alkalinity in the headwaters of Wasp Branch is 12 milligrams per liter.[3]
The elevation near the mouth of Wasp Branch is 974 feet (297 m) above sea level.[4] The elevation of the stream's source is between 1,220 and 1,240 feet (370 and 380 m) above sea level.[1] The stream is in the Susquehanna Lowlands section of the ridge and valley physiographical province.[5]
For a significant portion of its length, Wasp Branch is on a glacial till known as Wisconsinan Till. However, Wisconsinan Ice-Contact Stratified Drift and alluvium are also found along portions of the stream. There is also bedrock made of sandstone and shale in its vicinity.[6]
Watershed and history edit
The watershed of Wasp Branch has an area of 0.90 square miles (2.3 km2).[2] The stream is in the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Red Rock and Stillwater. Its source is in the former quadrangle and its mouth is in the latter one.[4] The drainage basin is part of the Upper Central Susquehanna River Subbasin.[5] The stream itself is near the community of Fairmount Springs.[7]
Wasp Branch was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1193614.[4]
Biology edit
Wasp Branch is considered by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to be Class A Wild Trout Waters for brook trout.[3] It holds this designation from its headwaters to its mouth.[3] The entire drainage basin of the stream is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.[8] It is used as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.[8]
A 1973 survey discovered no members of the Pteronarcyidae species Pteronarcys biloba on Wasp Branch.[5]
See also edit
- Little Pine Creek (Luzerne and Columbia Counties, Pennsylvania), another tributary of Pine Creek
- Brish Run, next tributary of Pine Creek going upstream
- List of tributaries of Fishing Creek (North Branch Susquehanna River)
References edit
- ^ a b c United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer, retrieved December 20, 2014
- ^ a b Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, p. 147, retrieved December 20, 2014
- ^ a b c Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (December 16, 2013), Class A Wild Trout Waters (PDF), p. 26, retrieved December 21, 2014
- ^ a b c Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: Wasp Branch, retrieved December 20, 2014
- ^ a b c Pteronarcys biloba Newman, 1976, retrieved December 21, 2014
- ^ Duane D. Braun (2007), Surficial geology of the Red Rock 7.5-Minute Quadrangle Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia Counties, Pennsylvania (PDF), p. 18, archived from the original (PDF) on June 9, 2011, retrieved December 21, 2014
- ^ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Resources (1970), Water Resources Bulletin, Issue 6, Part 1
- ^ a b Statewide Existing Use Classifications Luzerne County, May 8, 2012, retrieved December 21, 2014