Conservation Projects -2018 to 2019
Stream Projects - 2018
-2019 SCCTU proposed projects to the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation (NFWF) as part of the Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed
Grant program for the 2018 - 2019 period. NFWF approved of
this plan and funded the proposal for the full requested amount $160,700
(click here to see the full grant request). Three projects were proposed at a total cost of
$261,340 (matching amount of $100,640). The project was completed in
2019 with significant additional contributions leading to extensive
espansion of the work at Houserville. The total cost of the project
was $395,709. The three projects are as follows: Rock Road, focuses on reducing sedimentation and erosion entering the
stream while also providing enhanced habitat for trout and associated
species. This section is lacking diverse cover and the substrate within
the stream is embedded with silt from the eroding streambanks,
preventing the stream from reaching its full potential. The scope of the
project includes installing in-stream structures including log and stone
deflectors and random boulder clusters and riparian planting of native
trees and shrubs along 315 feet of stream.
Houserville - This area included areas of
high erosion and sedimentation and lacks a riparian buffer.High levels of erosion and sedimentation
have led to embedded stream gravel and lack of overhead fish cover prevents trout from using the area
as spawning habitat. Exposing clean spawning gravel and providing thermal protection by installing
structures with overhead fish cover for trout would be one of the major benefits of a restoration
project implementation at this site. The scope of the project at this site includes installing
structures such as mudsills, toe logs, rock cross vanes, rock vanes, log vanes, and random boulder
clusters. The project will also include several debris jam removals, a willow tree revetment, the
installation of a one-acre pollinator plot, 1.25 acres of poison hemlock treatment/removal, and
five acres of riparian restoration to include planting native trees and shrubs. Gordon D. Kissinger Meadow - Slab Cabin Run, is a major tributary to Spring Creek and supplies a majority of the drinking water to the State College region. Prevention of further erosion, sedimentation, and nutrient pollution is vital at this site. Currently, the scope of the project includes installing a riparian buffer along the length of the stream owned by Centre Region Parks and Recreation (CRPR). This riparian planting is significant to the watershed in that the area was previously under heavy agricultural influence and completely lacked a riparian buffer; CRPR has partnered with SCCTU on this site to restore the riparian buffer and help to prevent further erosion in Slab Cabin Run and sedimentation of Spring Creek.
Partners include the following:
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