Hells Run                                    

The Hell Run watershed is located in the southeastern portion of Lawrence County , primarily in Slippery Rock Township .  The stream is an Exceptional Value and wild trout stream that provides the necessary habitat for reproducing native brown trout.  Hell Run is a tributary to the coldwater, trout stocked Slippery Rock Creek that flows through McConnell's Mill State Park .  Within the Hell Run watershed and confines of the State Park is a natural area called Hells Hollow that boasts wildflowers, waterfalls, and unique habitats of ecological value.  A one half mile hiking trail along the stream leads to a cascading waterfall and old limekiln.

The Lawrence Conservation District is committed to the protection, stewardship, and conservation of the County’s natural resources to ensure a wise balance between the protection of the environment and the benefit of the landowner of the County.  The function of the District is to utilize the available technical, financial, and educational resources so that the needs of the local landowner are managed with conservation of the soil, water, and related natural resources.  

The District is partnering with Friends of McConnell's Mill, Inc. for development of the Hell Run Conservation Plan.   The organization strives to preserve by land acquisitions, protect through litigation, and educate the residents and visitors to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania about McConnell's Mills State Park .

Currently, land use activities upstream of the Hell Run watershed and in close proximity to McConnell's Mill are posing controversial threats to the environmental integrity of the Slippery Rock Creek gorge.  With development of a Conservation Plan for the Hell Run watershed, similar threats can be proactively considered in the event they are encountered.  Also, Slippery Rock Township has not adopted a land use/zoning ordinance and as such, cannot restrict developmental activities that may or may not impact the Hell Run stream and native trout.  A conservation plan for the watershed would encourage land use practices that would at the very least maintain the environmental quality of the existing natural resources, flora, and fauna.  Another component of the plan will include educational outreach to residents to raise their awareness of non-point sources of pollution, the ecological significance of the natural resources present that exist, and additional conservation practices they can do to enhance their property and their watershed.   

Contact:

Megan Gahring, Watershed Specialist  

Lawrence County Conservation District

Lawrence County Government Center  

430 Court Street                                             

New Castle , PA 16101

724-652-4512

mgahring@lawrenceconservationdistrict.org

www.lawrenceconservationdistrict.org