Beaverdam Run

The Kettle Creek watershed is located in the Deep Valley Section of the Appalachian Plateau physiographic province in north central Pennsylvania . At approximately 244 square miles, over 90% of the watershed lies within state forest and state park lands. The main stem of Kettle Creek traverses nearly 43 miles beginning in southwestern Tioga County , flowing through Potter County , and then emptying into the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in northwestern Clinton County .

There are over 350 miles of coldwater tributaries, many of which are designated by the PA Fish and Boat Commission as Class A Wild Trout streams. However, even though the majority of the watershed is considered “Exceptional Value” by the PA Department of Environmental Protection in terms of water quality, the Kettle Creek watershed suffers from acid mine drainage (AMD) in its lower watershed. The AMD is a result of historic coal mining practices that took place in the lower watershed beginning in the late 1800’s. Now hundreds of acres of unreclaimed surface mines and abandoned deep mines exist and discharge AMD that renders the receiving streams lifeless. The upper and middle portions of the Kettle Creek watershed experience problems with excessive sediment loads and high temperatures that are partially due to historic logging and stream channelization, as well as several major flood events.  

BEAVERDAM RUN GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Beaverdam Run flows through a forested valley and flows along a hillside in most areas. It is a relatively stable system with limited channel migration and sediment transport. The stream meanders very little, has few mid-channel bars, and scattered bank erosion. The stream has very different characteristics near the mouth, where it flows through a meadow area, is more entrenched, and has a smaller average size bed sediment than the forested section upstream.

This report serves as an addendum to the previously completed “Upper Kettle Creek Fish Habitat Conservation Plan” completed in April 2002.  Additional field assessment was completed in 2003. This second study assessed over forty miles of stream channel in major tributaries to Kettle Creek upstream of the Alvin R. Bush Dam in Clinton and Potter Counties , Pennsylvania . The additional data collection and assessment was completed to further define impacts to fish habitat and geomorphic function within the watershed. Tributaries included in this analysis are portions of Upper Kettle Creek, Little Kettle Creek, Cross Fork, Hammersley Fork, Trout Run, and Beaverdam Run. Descriptions and analysis of the assessed stream reaches are organized by sub-watershed from headwaters downstream. Stream reaches are indicated on maps included for each sub watershed. Each reach includes an overview of the current stream channel conditions, riparian canopy cover, stream dimensions, and detailed reach-by-reach information on fluvial geomorphology and habitat. Water temperatures reported were collected on a single day and represent only the water temperature at that point in time.

Contact Information: 

Amy Wolfe or Amidea Daniel

Kettle Creek Home Rivers Initiative

PO Box 27

Mill Hall, PA  17751

(570) 726-3118

www.tu.org

www.kettlecreek.org

  Upper Kettle Creek Fish Habitat Conservation Plan (includes Beaverdam Run)