Yellow Breeches section closed for stream work

[Bamboozle]

Damn, I knew sombody who lioved in those apartments a while back!!

 

[lycoflyfisher]

The USFWS group overseeing the construction of this project is quite experienced and has worked all over the state. Their construction methods and completed projects are well respected. I think you all can expect to see a positive outcome from this project in the realm of habitat/ water quality improvement and bank stabilization.

 

[joebamboo]

The State is spending $290,000, with the owner of Allenberry kicking in $10,000. The "restoration" may look good, but how long will it take for the bank vegetation grow back in order to provide cover for the fish?
Who decided that the stream should be restored in the first place? What is wrong with it as it is other than the removal of a couple downed trees? Making a stream look "pretty" doesn't alway bid well for the existing echo system. Time will tell whether or not this will bode well for the catch and release section of the Breeches.

 

[bugs4]

The State is spending $290,000, with the owner of Allenberry kicking in $10,000. The "restoration" may look good, but how long will it take for the bank vegetation grow back in order to provide cover for the fish?
Who decided that the stream should be restored in the first place? What is wrong with it as it is other than the removal of a couple downed trees? Making a stream look "pretty" doesn't alway bid well for the existing echo system. Time will tell whether or not this will bode well for the catch and release section of the Breeches.

Very good points. Just take a look at the section of Spring Creek in downtown Bellefonte between the two bridges. Yeah, it looks kind of cool, with the stone walls etc. etc. but the project sure didn't do much for the spring creek habitat in general.

 

[lycoflyfisher]

Very good points. Just take a look at the section of Spring Creek in downtown Bellefonte between the two bridges. Yeah, it looks kind of cool, with the stone walls etc. etc. but the project sure didn't do much for the spring creek habitat in general.

That spring creek section should not be considered a stream restoration project, stacked rock walls were built to continue to confine the stream channel....

I believe the rock and log structures were included in a manner to try and offset the impacts of the stacked rock wall. Those structures do provide some habitat diversity in that section.

 

[troutbert]

That spring creek section should not be considered a stream restoration project, stacked rock walls were built to continue to confine the stream channel....

I believe the rock and log structures were included in a manner to try and offset the impacts of the stacked rock wall. Those structures do provide some habitat diversity in that section.

I live in Bellefonte, and you are correct. The stacked rock wall on the west side of the stream was built, and fill was brought in, to raise the elevation of the floodplain there to protect the land from flooding. The intent is to have a waterfront development area with a hotel, restaurants, and retail stores.

The stream habitat work that was done, the rock and log structures and rock placements were initiated by Spring Creek Trout Unlimited. It was done because that stretch is channelized and lacking in trout habitat. It's locked in between the wall on the west side and the elevated road grade on the east side. It's totally disconnected from its floodplain. There is very little influence from vegetation. So, they were trying to create some habitat diversity.

The best habitat in that stretch is created by a sewer pipe crossing the stream. It creates a deep pool and runs below the pipe, and a pool above the pipe.

 

[Bamboozle]

I have zero insight into the overall reasons for this project BUT, the Yellow Breeches and the Conodoguinet Creek are probably the most significant regional tributaries to the Susquehanna and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

The involvement of U.S. Fish & Wildlife versus PA DEP & PAFBC also makes me wonder if this project below the surface is more about bank stabilization and sediment reduction than habitat improvement.

 

[afishinado]

I have zero insight into the overall reasons for this project BUT, the Yellow Breeches and the Conodoguinet Creek are probably the most significant regional tributaries to the Susquehanna and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

The involvement of U.S. Fish & Wildlife versus PA DEP & PAFBC also makes me wonder if this project below the surface is more about bank stabilization and sediment reduction than habitat improvement.

From the letter I posted earlier in this thread written by the Cumberland Co. Conservation District notifying anglers of "the stream restoration project to install trout habitat structures (rock vanes, rock cross vanes, j-hooks and mudsills)"

 

[StreamBottom]

Have 'they" released a set of site plans depicting the stream restoration structures?

 

[joebamboo]

Another "restoration meeting' Tomorrow at 1:00. Same place, The Run parking lot. Many questions need to be answered.

 

[lycoflyfisher]

Care to share what questions need to be answered?

 

[joebamboo]

Most important one. Who decided that this portion of the creek needed restoration and why. Who or what organization filed for the grant money?

 

[afishinado]

Most important one. Who decided that this portion of the creek needed restoration and why. Who or what organization filed for the grant money?

This is from an article I posted a while back from the new (at that time) owner of Allenberry and his intentions for the stream >

Fly fishing is one of the most popular attractions offered at Allenberry Resort. And new owner Mike Kennedy is planning to cater to that audience as renovations continue.

"We're working with a guy who does stream restorations from the State College area," he said. "He's going to submit to do major stream renovation from the town up through the resort."

If approved, the plan will remove nearly 100 years of silt deposits from the creek, making the stream deeper and thus a better environment for fish.

"Parts of that creek have gotten really shallow with the silt," he said. "It takes permits and a significant amount of construction, but we're committed to doing it as soon as the permits will allow."


Link to source: https://www.pennlive.com/life/2017/04/allenberry_fishing_yellow_bree.html

 

[joebamboo]

Several years ago, TU had an earthen dam above the Catch and Release section removed. Years of "silt" was washed down stream lowering the level of that portion of the creek. The hatches have never recovered from that endeavor. How will lowering the level of the dam at Allenberry make the stream above it "deeper"? Will not the silt behind that dam lower the level below it? How will destroying the bank trees and vegetation provide much needed cover from the ever present Blue Heron?

Also part of the article you referenced:
To that end, the resort is partnering with TCO Fly Shop in Boiling Springs to offer classes and lessons.
"They have guys that are going to be working with us to set up fly fishing schools and groups and afternoons with individuals," Kennedy said. "We're going to be really promoting the fishing on the creek there."
Do you not think that they would want just anyone "interfering" with those classes and lessons? Do you not think they will eventually institute stricter rules for that portion of the stream?

 

[afishinado]

Also part of the article you referenced:
To that end, the resort is partnering with TCO Fly Shop in Boiling Springs to offer classes and lessons.
"They have guys that are going to be working with us to set up fly fishing schools and groups and afternoons with individuals," Kennedy said. "We're going to be really promoting the fishing on the creek there."
Do you not think that they would want just anyone "interfering" with those classes and lessons? Do you not think they will eventually institute stricter rules for that portion of the stream?

The FFing classes have been going on for 3 years now (that article was written in Jan 2019). I have not heard of any problems at all between the patrons of Allenberry and the anglers fishing the stream. In fact I set up classes there with Tom Baltz many times when I worked at the fly shop. Both Tom and all the students had nothing but good things to say about their experience there.

I think we should feel fortunate the new ownership has embraced the stream and the angling there and has come up with a plan and has invested money towards stream improvement. It could have turned out to be bought by someone without a clue that turned away anglers. Instead the current owners welcome anglers to park on their property in an area set aside for fishermen and are working on a project to improve the stream fishing.

Positive things are happening at Allenberry, give it a chance and let's see how things turn out. From all I've heard the contractor working on the stream improvement is first class. I suggest anyone really interested in the work being done there, show up on Saturday and ask questions about the project.

 

[Canoetripper]

I took a class last year at Allenberry with TCO and thought that the experience was very good.

 

[Biggie]

First and last pics will be anew parking lot by the RR tracks. I like what I have seen so far.

 

[lycoflyfisher]

Joebamboo,

Curious to hear if your questions were answered...

 

[troutbert]

Any updates? Has the old dam been removed?

 

[Biggie]

They said they are not removing the dam.