Piney Creek

Piney Creek, located in Blair County Pennsylvania, flows for approximately 13 mi. encompassing a rural watershed of approximately 25.4 square miles before emptying into the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River .  The Piney Creek basin is designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as High Quality – Cold Water Fisheries (HQ-CWF) under Chapter 93 of the Water Quality Standards.  In 1987, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) designated the 6.2 mi. stretch of Piney Creek running from Poverty Hollow Run, down stream to the mouth at the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River (identified as Section 02) as a Class A – Wild Brown Trout Stream.  Since 1987, Section 02 has been managed for wild brown trout under conventional statewide regulations.  

The goal of the assessment is to determine the source of the impairments, highlight potential opportunities, and then use the assessment to prioritize an implementation and protection plan for Piney Creek.  We will start off with an initial watershed survey (watershed walk) to determine areas of concern and opportunity.  Our assessment under the CHP program would involve a review of previous studies conducted in the watershed, identification of potential sources of pollution, identification of adjacent landowners who may become potential partners and contacts, and identifying sites for protection.  In addition, we will be soliciting community input and involvement throughout the assessment and in the review of the draft assessment through two rounds of public meetings.  The results of the assessment and protection plan will be used to apply for future funding for restoration and implementation efforts.  This will not only be a restoration plan, but also a protection plan to protect the current designated use of Piney Creek as HQ – CWF, Class A - Wild Brown Trout.  Monies from the CHP Grant will be used to begin the initial assessment while taking the opportunity to involve the community through public education and outreach in addition to their support in the actual planning process.  A Growing Greener Grant through the PA Department of Environmental Protection has been applied for to complement and expand upon the CHP grant.  The intent of that grant would be to take the next step in not only identifying potential threats, impacts and opportunities but define the implementation and restoration process.  In addition other supporting components will be investigated such as population and socio-economic structure, an extensive study of current land uses and practices of the watershed, and water quality sampling data for 1 year on various points throughout the watershed.

Contacts:  

Jim Eckenrode

Blair County Conservation District

1407 Blair Street                                                      

Hollidaysburg, PA 16648

814) 696-0877 ext. 5  

blairconsdist@lazerlink.com

www.blairconservationdistrict.org

  Piney Creek Watershed Assessment and Conservation Plan