Bald Eagle Creek restoration

[Mike]

This project kind of puzzles me from a utility standpoint.. In one of the PFBC online maps that have come and gone over the years, the Bald Eagle was listed as transitional smallmouth water at least from the Spring Creek junction up as far as Hannah, even though I realize it is all also stocked trout water. I'm not sure that the bang for the restoration buck is there with this project, if the intent is habitat improvement for trout.

Correct! Seasonal staff and I surveyed the stocked section(s) in 1979 as part of the statewide coldwater inventory that led to trout management by classification as part of Operation FUTURE. The stretch surveyed ran from the backwaters of Sayers Dam to Port Matilda. From Spring Ck’s confluence to Port Matilda Bald Eagle was naturally a SMB/RBSF stream. I don’t recall rock bass, but maybe we did find them as well. The fish community was comprised of warmwater species and some transitional species. Few stocked trout remained in the summer.

We also surveyed the stocked tribs that year and they were fairly good to good wild trout streams supporting brown trout within the stocked sections. One of the Laurel Rns was Class A. We may have found ST in the Laurel Rn trib by Port Matilda. I recall the tumbling/cascading and the narrow width, but am a bit unclear on the species found…whether it was strictly BT, a BT/ST mix, or purely ST. The last time I checked the Class A list I believe I recall that particular Laurel Run had joined the other as being Class A now.

 

[sarce]

We may have found ST in the Laurel Rn trib by Port Matilda. I recall the tumbling/cascading and the narrow width, but am a bit unclear on the species found…whether it was strictly BT, a BT/ST mix, or purely ST. The last time I checked the Class A list I believe I recall that particular Laurel Run had joined the other as being Class A now.

Primarily ST as of about 12 years ago but some BT. Lots of cookie cutter stocked RTs too. Only ever fished it that one time. Casting nearly impossible on most of it.

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

I'm not sure why I bother to post articles like this. The collection of experts here have nothing about negative comments about stream projects. I think some of you all need to understand that stream restoration is not about creating holes for you to fish. Most are funded with the goal of stabilizing banks to reduce sediment and narrow channels to reduce warming. The applications add sections about habitat, but it's the sediment reduction that gets the $$ and interest. The granting agencies don't focus on creating fishing opportunities, although stream designers do so when they can.

Thanks for sharing the article. I enjoy seeing work getting done.
Another crick that had logs and boulder stream bank restoration work done this past summer is Combs Creek ( tributary to Allegheny Portage)in McKean County. I was unable to find any information online and didn't take any pictures but will do my to best to describe the area. The work on Combs was done from Fogel crossing downstream through a cow pasture. Classic cow pasture situation high eroding stream banks and wide where the cows cross. The cows have been on the other side of the road.every time I have rode by in the last month. Mainly grass in the riparian. In need.of.trees.and shrubs. Big beaver builds start about 1-2 miles upstream of where the work was done. Combs is STW . That's what I know about it.