Riparian Conservation Program
ClearWater Conservancy’s Riparian Conservation Program aims to promote conservation and restoration of riparian resources in central Pennsylvania. Our Riparian Conservation Program brochure explains the importance of riparian buffers to our local streams and wetlands and outlines conservation options for riparian landowners.
The goal of ClearWater's Riparian Conservation Program is to improve stream quality in the Spring Creek watershed through the program’s four areas of focus: stream assessment, stewardship, restoration, and protection.
Assessment
Upper Spring Creek Watershed Coldwater Conservation Plan
January 2007
In order to address stream impairments in the Upper
Spring Creek Watershed, ClearWater Conservancy in partnership with the
Penn State Cooperative Wetlands
Center conducted a stream assessment of the Upper Spring Creek Watershed
with funding from the Coldwater
Heritage Partnership and developed a Coldwater Conservation Plan. The goal
of this plan
is to identify actions that will improve in-stream and riparian zone conditions
and to remove impaired reaches of stream from the PA Department of Environmental
Protection’s 303(d) List of Impaired Waters, prevent any portion from being
re-listed in the future, and support wild trout populations.
Twenty-two sites were assessed along Upper Spring Creek and its tributaries from the headwaters to the confluence of Spring Creek with Cedar Run. Recommendations break down into three distinct categories.
The
first section pertains to the protection of stream reaches with low disturbance
that currently make the largest contribution to the overall quality of Spring
Creek and provide habitat for wild trout. These stream reaches are located on
the slopes of Tussey Mountain and within the valley and are generally in good
condition, well-vegetated and currently provide
outstanding habitat for wild trout.
The second section pertains to the restoration of riparian buffers with native plants in valley reaches where buffers are either missing or narrow and seriously compromised. The chief threat to the Upper Spring Creek Watershed stream corridors and their ability to sustain brown trout populations is the absence of mature riparian vegetation within the Spring Creek valley, particularly within agricultural areas and some recreational areas.
Finally,
Spring Creek has become channelized and incised through the valley where it
parallels Route 322 in a number of locations due to the
removal of riparian vegetation over time, changes to stream hydrology from
stormwater drainage, and increased impervious surfaces from rapidly developing
areas. Wetlands have also been eliminated or substantially degraded within the
sub-basin. Opportunities for improving stream channel diversity and wetland
restoration should be developed where appropriate and when landowners are
willing.
Specific recommendations from this plan will guide ClearWater’s continued Riparian Conservation Program efforts in this area and provide valuable information to other community partners who are working on riparian zone projects.
The report size is 21 MB, so if you would like a copy, please contact Katie Ombalski, Conservation Biologist, at (814) 237-0400 or katie@clearwaterconservancy.org.