HOLISTIC STREAM ASSESSMENT/RESTORATION: MOSHANNON CREEK - CENTRE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Moshannon Creek Headwaters. (Moshannon Creek Watershed Association)
In keeping with NFC’s Holistic Stream Assessment/Restoration approach to watershed conservation, the Pennsylvania chapter of NFC has been working with Moshannon Creek Watershed Association (MCWA) to establish baseline water quality and wild native brook trout presence data since 2020.
While collecting water samples in 2021, PA NFC discovered an undocumented population of wild native brook trout in a tributary to Moshannon Creek. In 2022, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission confirmed the presence of multiple age classes of brook trout. This previously unknown population will now receive increased protections through Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Electro-Fishing a tributary to Moshannon Creek. (Moshannon Creek Watershed Association)
Brook trout from previously undocumented population. (Moshannon Creek Watershed Association)
The headwaters of Moshannon Creek is important habitat for wild native brook trout and other native fish. Upstream of Roup Run, Moshannon Creek supports a Class A wild brook trout population. Downstream, Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) inputs pollute the stream preventing brook trout from occupying important the mainstem and accessing tributaries downstream.
Moshannon Creek Watershed Association
There are three known AMD point source pollution inputs upstream of Roup Run. These are known as MC-FORE, MC-2, and MC-3 by MCWA and Susquehanna River Basin Commission. While preliminary water quality samples have been collected from these sources, more data is required to design mitigation solutions. Additional pollution inputs may exist as well, and could be identified through fieldwork.
Moshannon Creek Watershed Association
MC-FORE Discharge. (Moshannon Creek Watershed Association)
AMD pollution inputs often originate from springs contaminated after the area is mined and the mines abandoned. This results in toxic metals such as aluminum, manganese, and iron leaching into streams as is the case with regard to Moshannon Creek. Addressing this in the headwaters will help clean up the mainstem downstream.
In early 2022, PA NFC worked with MCWA and Clearfield County Conservation District on a grant application through Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture for funding from National Fish Habitat Partnership. NFC will provide volunteer labor, known as “in-kind” support. This includes exploring the headwaters to determine if there are any undocumented AMD pollution sources, collecting water samples, and conducting further macroinvertebrate sampling.
NFC is pleased to announce that our grant application was approved. NFC and our partners will work to research and design a AMD treatment system in the headwaters of Moshannon Creek throughout 2023. This will help improve habitat for wild native brook trout and other lifeforms for miles downstream, and assist in the larger effort to restore the entire watershed.