Cold Run

The Cold Run Watershed is unique in Schuylkill County , as it serves as the backdrop for one of the greatest family recreation areas in southern Schuylkill County .  A mix of boulder strewn streams, tall forest, open farm land, abundant access points, state game lands, and maintained paved road, make the Cold Run Watershed second to none. Throughout the year, fisherman spend countless hours casting into the boulder pools and short riffles of Cold Run.  Those with flies in tow find Cold Run particularly appealing in the summer months when this stream lives up to its name and continues to provide quality fishing while other streams warm and the action slows. As warm days bring warm evenings, many family outings end with a ride up Cold Run Road to Heisler’s Dairy Bar and Miniature Golf where traditional family atmosphere is second to none. Unlike the majority of the few high quality streams in Schuylkill County , Cold Run is situated primarily on private properties.  The predominance of private parcels allows for a potentially increased susceptible to anthropogenic change in the watershed as the Commonwealth lacks direct control over small land use changes that have potential implications for the stream.

The Schuylkill Conservation District (District), which is rooted in soil conservation, continues the "cooperative" approach in dealing with natural resource problems. Districts are experts at channeling resources from government agencies, conservation groups, and civic organizations in putting those resources into action at the local level. Formed in 1955 when Dr. James S. Shadle presented Schuylkill County with a petition signed by county farmers, the District has evolved from an agency that once emphasized only soil conservation to one that today focuses on all natural resource conservation efforts. Those efforts include erosion and sediment control, watershed protection, Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) remediation, environmental education, farmland preservation, and conservation planning.

We propose to develop a Cold Water Conservation Plan so that the primary issues that put Cold Run at risk of degradation may be identified.  By incorporating public outreach and biological assessments tailored to PFBC guidelines, this study may serve as the foundation for both increased conservation awareness in the watershed as well as increased knowledge of the appropriate level of protection that is justified for this stream. Data collection will include a stream walk to identify priority concerns in the watershed and electro-fishing to determine the biomass of wild trout populations in the stream. Schuylkill Conservation District will provide grant administration, staff and interns for fieldwork, oversight of the Coldwater Conservation Plan writing and will coordinate and conduct survey mailings and public meetings.  RETTEW Associates, Inc. will provide preliminary mapping and planning, staff for field work, and will draft the Coldwater Conservation Plan. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will provide technical information related to previous studies and will collaborate on research design so that the collected data will be acceptable for evaluation of the existing water quality designation of the stream. 

Contact Information: 

Aaron S. Clauser, Ph.D.

Senior Environmental Scientist

950 East Main St., Suite 220

Schuylkill Haven , PA 17972

Office: 570.385.2270 x3905

Cell: 570.294.3435

Fax: 570.385.2217

www.rettew.com

Wayne Lehman

County Natural Resources Specialist

Schuylkill Conservation District

1206 Ag Center Drive

Pottsville , PA 17901

(570) 622-3742 ext. 5

http://www.co.schuylkill.pa.us/Offices/Conservation/conservation.asp