Spring Creek, Centre County

The Spring Creek Watershed (Centre County, PA) as delineated from surface topography is approximately 145 square miles in area.  Due to hydrogeologic conditions, the groundwater boundary is larger and is approximately 175 square miles in area.  The Spring Creek Watershed is home to approximately 94,000 people, 14 municipalities, and the Pennsylvania State University.  The average daily flow from the watershed is approximately 148 million gallons.  This water leaves the watershed at Milesburg where it flows into Bald Eagle Creek.  It continues to flow into the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and then into the Chesapeake Bay.

Current agricultural practices and an increase in urbanization coupled with changing land use patters may adversely affect the overall health of Spring Creek and its tributaries by increasing groundwater withdrawal, decreasing the volume of groundwater recharge, and potentially increasing the volume of pollutants the enter the streams (Spring Creek Watershed Community 2002). 

The upper reach of Spring Creek being assessed is classified as a High Quality Cold Water Fishery (PA DEP) and a Class A Wild Trout Stream (PFBC).  It originates from mountain springs emerging on Tussey Mountain east of Boalsburg and ends with the confluence with Cedar Run in Oak Hall.  Both Potter and Harris Townships govern this area, which supports agriculture, residential, and forest as the primary land uses.

 

Data collection for the Upper Spring Creek Watershed Assessment is being conducted by a partnership between the ClearWater Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the Penn State Cooperative Wetland Center.  Data collected includes measuring the connectivity between the stream with the floodplain, stream side vegetation, bank stability, and documenting channel alterations that affect steam flow.  Aquatic habitat is also being characterized as well as aspects that could affect habitat such as sedimentation and a lack of riparian vegetation.  Lastly, major land uses and characteristics that surround the stream are being documented and related to current and potential impacts.  We will use the results of this assessment to prioritize our organization's restoration activities, provide conservation recommendations to the townships and individual landowners, and provide technical assistance to help implement these prioritized restoration activities with interested landowners.

Project partners include U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Penn State Cooperative Wetland Center, State College Elks Club, Harris Township, Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and USGS Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.

The ClearWater Conservancy is a Centre County based nonprofit land trust and environmental conservation organization.  The Conservancy was formed in 1980 by a group of local citizens concerned about the area’s changing environment and has slowly shifted from an all-volunteer, grassroots organization to a professionally-staffed organization with a wide base of community support and involvement.  ClearWater is currently supported by 625 dues-paying members.

Contact info:

Katie Ombalski, Conservation Biologist
ClearWater Conservancy
2555 North Atherton Street
State College, Pennsylvania 16803
Katie@clearwaterconservancy.org
Voice (814) 237-0400
Fax (814) 237-4909
www.clearwaterconservancy.org

  Download the Upper Spring Creek  Conservation Plan here