Moshannon Creek

Moshannon Creek is a 269-square mile watershed that forms the boundary between Clearfield County and Centre County, Pennsylvania.  The headwaters begin in Blair County and flow northeast until the stream enters the West Branch of the Susquehanna River near Karthaus.  Unfortunately, Moshannon Creek is also known as the “Red Mo” due to the iron precipitate that coats the stream bottom for most of its length.  Although mining has impacted the stream in this way, most people do not realize that the headwaters of Moshannon Creek above Roup Run have good water quality and populations of fish and macro invertebrates.  Mining does not seriously affect the Moshannon Creek watershed until Roup Run enters, which is over 5.5 miles downstream of the origin.  There are many efforts occurring to restore Moshannon Creek.  The portion of the watershed that this Coldwater Heritage Plan focuses on will need to be protected to aid with this restoration.

There are several concerns that need to be addressed in order to protect and enhance this watershed.  First are the Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) problems that affect the watershed.  Even though the headwaters are classified as high quality (HQ-CWF), there have been some mining activities that have degraded the stream.  Also, Pennsylvania Rural Water has installed wells in the watershed to be used by the Houtzdale Water Authority.  The final concern is the possible effect of acid precipitation on the watershed.

Project Goals

• Identify current and potential pollution sources within the watershed
• Report baseline water quality and macro invertebrate data
• Identify next steps for the Moshannon Creek Watershed Coalition (MCWC) to protect and restore the headwaters of Moshannon Creek

Contact:

Clearfield County Conservation District

(on behalf of the Moshannon Creek Watershed Association)

www.clfdccd.com

(814) 765-8130