Surface mining
The surficial geology along Clarks Creek for most of its length consists of a glacial or resedimented till known as Wisconsinan Till. However, patches of fill, Wisconsinan Ice-Contact Stratified Drift, and surface mining land occur near the creek's mouth. Wisconsinan Ice-Contact Stratified Drift contains stratified sand, gravel, and some boulders. Surface mining land consists of linear pits and piles of waste rock. The pits are generally several hundred feet long and less than deep. Additionally, some areas of bedrock consisting of sandstone and shale occur in the surficial geology near the creek, but not right alongside it.