Spring Creek Canyon

From as far back as ClearWater's work on the original Centre County Natural Heritage Inventory and the Spring Creek Corridor Study (which later became phase I of the Spring Creek Rivers Conservation Plan), we have been concerned about the ultimate protection of the Spring Creek Canyon.

According to the Spring Creek Corridor Study, "the most extraordinary and ecologically important assemblage of natural landscapes and scenic beauty is found in the dramatic canyon the stream has carved through the limestone bedrock as it descends from State College toward Bellefonte."

10 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services for PennDOT use...1.03 acres

12 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services for use by the State Correctional Institute at Rockview...1.72 acres

13 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services for use by the State Correctional Institute at Rockview...2.07 acres

17 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services for use by the State Correctional Institute at Rockview...1.89 acres

18 - Benner Township for ownership of Shiloh Road Extension...3.83 acres (not shown)

June 27, 2007 - ClearWater Conservancy Board of Directors approved and sent a letter concerning the protection of natural resources of Spring Creek Canyon to Governor Rendell, Senator Corman, and Representatives Hanna, Benninghoff, and Conklin.

February 16, 2007 - ClearWater Conservancy Board of Directors approved and issued a statement about Spring Creek Canyon as an editorial to the Centre Daily Times.

Overview presentation about Spring Creek Canyon prepared by Katie Ombalski for Leadership Centre County Environment Day on May 6, 2006. (This is a large file... 2.61 MB)

December 8, 2005 - ClearWater Conservancy Board of Directors approved and sent a letter concerning Spring Creek Canyon to Senator Corman.

Many of the participants walked the 3.4 miles from Fisherman's Paradise to the Benner Springs Fish Hatchery and a few ventured the 4.5 miles to "The Rock". Despite the unusual heat, the crowd enjoyed this special opportunity to witness the beauty and fragility of this community's

Photos by Bill Mertens at ClearWater's Mother's Day Wildflower Walk 2007 at the upper end of Spring Creek Canyon near Rock.

Photos by Bob Baumbach at ClearWater's Watershed Cleanup Day 2007. Sierra Club volunteers were granted special permission from Rockview SCI to clean up the streambanks by canoe.


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		Special Edition of ClearWater News: Spring Creek Canyon... Public Resources at Risk From as far back as ClearWater's work on the original Centre County Natural Heritage Inventory and the Spring Creek Corridor Study (which later became phase I of the Spring Creek Rivers Conservation Plan), we have been concerned about the ultimate protection of the Spring Creek Canyon. According to the Spring Creek Corridor Study, "the most extraordinary and ecologically important assemblage of natural landscapes and scenic beauty is found in the dramatic canyon the stream has carved through the limestone bedrock as it descends from State College toward Bellefonte." View the Spring Creek Nature Reserve Recommendation (pages 17 - 18) from the Spring Creek Corridor Study. Map Courtesy of the Centre County Office of Planning and Development MAP LEGEND Parcel to be conveyed to: 1 - Pennsylvania State University...1,124.19 acres 2 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services...235.42 acres 3 - Centre County Commissioners...13.26 acres 4.1 - Highest Responsible Bidder...16.73 acres 4.2 - Highest Responsible Bidder...15.08 acres 5 - Previously approved for conveyance by the CCIBC...133.54 acres 6 - Benner Township...395.62 acres 7 - PA Fish and Boat Commission...28.92 acres 8 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services...14.92 acres 9 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services...9.03 acres 10 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services for PennDOT use...1.03 acres 11 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services...2.86 acres 12 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services for use by the State Correctional Institute at Rockview...1.72 acres 13 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services for use by the State Correctional Institute at Rockview...2.07 acres 14 - PA Fish and Boat Commission...25.94 acres 15 - PA Fish and Boat Commission...4.38 acres 16 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services for use by the State Correctional Institute at Rockview...12.27 acres 17 - Retained by the PA State Department of General Services for use by the State Correctional Institute at Rockview...1.89 acres 18 - Benner Township for ownership of Shiloh Road Extension...3.83 acres (not shown) Select Milestones June 27, 2007 - ClearWater Conservancy Board of Directors approved and sent a letter concerning the protection of natural resources of Spring Creek Canyon to Governor Rendell, Senator Corman, and Representatives Hanna, Benninghoff, and Conklin. February 16, 2007 - ClearWater Conservancy Board of Directors approved and issued a statement about Spring Creek Canyon as an editorial to the Centre Daily Times. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Biological Assessment of the Spring Creek Canyon, prepared for Benner Township. Overview presentation about Spring Creek Canyon prepared by Katie Ombalski for Leadership Centre County Environment Day on May 6, 2006. (This is a large file... 2.61 MB) December 8, 2005 - ClearWater Conservancy Board of Directors approved and sent a letter concerning Spring Creek Canyon to Senator Corman. Other Organizations' Positions on the Conservation of Spring Creek Canyon Centre County Farmland Trust June 24, 2007 - Juniata Valley Audubon June 14, 2007 - Spring Creek Canyon Alliance Including as of June 28, 2007: PA Council of Trout Unlimited; Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited; Adams County Chapter of Trout Unlimited; Moshannon Group, Sierra Club; PA Chapter, Sierra Club; State College Bird Club; United Bow Hunters of Pennsylvania; Juniata Valley Audubon; Centre County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs; PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs; Coalition for Open Space Preservation; National Wild Turkey Federation; Nittany Mountain Biking Association June 14, 2007 - Moshannon Group, Sierra Club March 14, 2007 - Bald Eagle Archeological Society March 7, 2007 - Centre County Historical Society Spring Creek Watershed Commission April 5, 2007 - Spring Creek Watershed Community Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited November 9, 2006 - Bald Eagle Archeological Society November 3, 2006 - Centre County Historical Society Adventures in Conservation program series... Hike through Spring Creek Canyon On October 7, over 140 people came out to explore the Spring Creek Canyon, one of Centre County's most distinctive natural areas. With permission from Rockview State Correctional Institution, the group was able to access the stretch along the stream that is normally off-limits for an interpretive hike of the Spring Creek Canyon. This is a special opportunity to see one of the most beautiful natural landscapes on Spring Creek, including the views of the towering limestone cliffs and meandering stream, while learning more about the uniqueness of the canyon. Many of the participants walked the 3.4 miles from Fisherman's Paradise to the Benner Springs Fish Hatchery and a few ventured the 4.5 miles to "The Rock". Despite the unusual heat, the crowd enjoyed this special opportunity to witness the beauty and fragility of this community's Event Partners: Sierra Club Moshannon Group, PA Native Plant Society, Juniata Valley Audubon, Centre County Historical Society, Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the PA Fish & Boat Commission. More Photos Photos by Bob Donaldson. Photos by Bill Mertens at ClearWater's Mother's Day Wildflower Walk 2007 at the upper end of Spring Creek Canyon near Rock. Photos by Bob Baumbach at ClearWater's Watershed Cleanup Day 2007. Sierra Club volunteers were granted special permission from Rockview SCI to clean up the streambanks by canoe. Photos by Matt Dallos, June 2007. Return to Focus Areas