Coplay Creek, which was virtually dry recently when water flowed into two sinkholes at a Hokendauqua field, now has water flowing again. Although there has been very little rain that would aid the water table in the stream, the creek has seen a restoration of water - one to three inches in depth as of last Thursday - and is increasing.

Coplay Creek usually has a flow of six to 12 inches, more in some locations.

The creek meanders from North Whitehall Township, spring fed, across the Iron Lakes Golf Course property, through a slice of Whitehall and under Water Street, spilling into the Lehigh River.

Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. surmises water could have been released from quarries of Lafarge Cement Company, Essroc Cement Company and a third private company.

There is no water from the creek that now has been going into the aforementioned sinkholes.

Hozza said he received an email just after midnight June 26 from Ray Bieak of the Ironton Rail Trail Commission and Joseph Ebner stating earlier in the day they found Coplay Creek virtually dry.

“Due to the lack of rain, which has reduced the normal water flow in the Coplay Creek, two sinkholes were discovered in the creek bed at the private Tate Farm (Whitehall Tamco LLC properties), which is located behind the public works building,” Hozza said.

A geologist from Keystone Consulting Engineers and township Engineer Frank Clark did an on-site evaluation of the area for the Tate family and the township, according to Hozza, indicating water from the initial seven-foot void under the creek traveled to an open field.

Following a rain storm June 27, the flow increased due to the storm water runoff; the void was filled and overflowed back into the creek and continued to flow downstream.

“On Thursday, June 30, creek water was flowing over the sinkholes but then disappeared downstream. We suspect a third void may be further downstream,” Hozza noted.

The mayor mentioned a remediation plan will be discussed with the Tate family involving temporarily relocating the creek in the affected area. The void or cavity would be filled with specialized concrete called a flowable fill that would let the concrete cure and place a waterproof membrane over the former openings. The creek could then be relocated back to its natural state.