Overview
Laurel Run (also known as Laurel Run Creek The watershed of the stream has an area of . It is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and part of it is inhabited by wild trout. Various mills were built on the stream in the 19th century and it was also historically used as a water supply. A number of bridges have also been built across it.
Course
Laurel Run begins on a mountain, called Rui Wang, in Bear Creek Township. It flows northeast for a few tenths of a mile before turning northwest and entering a deep valley. The stream then flows north-northwest for more than a mile, entering the borough of Laurel Run. It then enters another valley and turns northeast for a few miles, entering Plains Township. In Plains Township, it receives its only named tributary, Deep Hollow. The stream then turns north and begins flowing near Pennsylvania Route 115 as its valley becomes much narrower. After a short distance, it turns north-northeast and then turns west-northwest, passing through Meadow Run Lake and crossing Interstate 81/Pennsylvania Route 309 and Pennsylvania Route 115. A short distance further downstream, it crosses Pennsylvania Route 315 and enters Wilkes-Barre.
After a few tenths of a mile, it turns east for several tenths of a mile. The stream then turns northwest and reaches its confluence with Mill Creek after a few tenths of a mile.
Tributaries
Laurel Run has one named tributary, which is known as Deep Hollow. Deep Hollow joins Laurel Run upstream of its mouth. Its watershed has an area of .
Hydrology
The peak annual discharge of Laurel Run at its mouth has a 10 percent chance of reaching per second. It has a 2 percent chance of reaching per second and a 1 percent chance of reaching per second. The peak annual discharge has a 0.2 percent chance of reaching per second.
Geography and geology
The elevation near the mouth of Laurel Run is above sea level. The elevation near the creek's source is between above sea level. The stream flows between Wyoming Mountain and Wilkes-Barre Mountain for part of its course. It also flows through the Laurel Run Gap.
Watershed
The watershed of Laurel Run has an area of . The mouth of the stream is in the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Pittston. However, its source is in the quadrangle of Wilkes-Barre East. Laurel Run is one of the major tributaries of Mill Creek.
History
Laurel Run was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1179019. John Holgate constructed a turning-mill on the stream in 1832. The mill was expanded in 1843 and a powder mill nearby was built in 1844. Historically, the stream was used as a water supply by the Wilkes-Barre Water Company. Laurel Run experienced a flash flood in 2006, causing significant damage to areas such as Scott Street. A $2,000,000, six-phase cleanup project was later announced. The first phase of this cleanup effort was a $360,000 project done by the Slusser Brothers.
Biology
Laurel Run is designated as a Coldwater Fishery. Wild trout naturally reproduce in the stream in a stretch running from its headwaters to the Colebrook Dam. This stretch is long.
See also
*Gardner Creek, next tributary of Mill Creek going upstream *List of rivers of Pennsylvania
External links
*Google Street View image of Laurel Run *The confluence of Laurel Run (right) with Mill Creek