Wasp Branch

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 
 • locationnear the village of Mossville in Fairmount Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
 • elevationbetween 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
 • elevation
974 ft (297 m)
Length1.7 mi (2.7 km)
Basin size0.90 sq mi (2.3 km2)
Basin features
ProgressionPine Creek → Huntington Creek → Fishing Creek → Susquehanna River → Chesapeake Bay

Course

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

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

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

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]

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See also

References
  1. United States Geological Survey, The National Map Viewer, retrieved December 20, 2014
  2. Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PDF), November 2, 2001, p. 147, retrieved December 20, 2014
  3. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (December 16, 2013), Class A Wild Trout Waters (PDF), p. 26, retrieved December 21, 2014
  4. Geographic Names Information System, Feature Detail Report for: Wasp Branch, retrieved December 20, 2014
  5. Pteronarcys biloba Newman, 1976, retrieved December 21, 2014
  6. 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
  7. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Resources (1970), Water Resources Bulletin, Issue 6, Part 1
  8. Statewide Existing Use Classifications Luzerne County, May 8, 2012, retrieved December 21, 2014
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