Spring Creek Dam Removal

[nymphingmaniac]

article from Mark Nale. It has more information. A little history about how the dams were constructed and used to support the hatchery in the 50s.

It cost almost a half a million dollars. I like to look at it as a PFBC investment in improving wild trout streams.

https://www.centredaily.com/sports/outdoors/article290685979.html

 

[troutbert]

article from Mark Nale. It has more information. A little history about how the dams were constructed and used to support the hatchery in the 50s.

It cost almost a half a million dollars. I like to look at it as a PFBC investment in improving wild trout streams.

https://www.centredaily.com/sports/outdoors/article290685979.html

Do you think the trout population will go up as a result of these dam removals, or are you thinking of improvements for other species?

 

[nymphingmaniac]

Do you think the trout population will go up as a result of these dam removals, or are you thinking of improvements for other species?

TBH I don't know. It will increase the quality substrate around that area. The area above the dams had soft bottoms and collected sediment. At the very least it eliminated two eyesores. Makes me wonder if we'll see more kayaks in the spring when the water is higher

 

[DaveKile]

A more recent update

https://www.centredaily.com/sports/outdoors/article290685979.html

 

[nymphingmaniac]

completed upstream (Canyon) dam removal. They narrowed the channel and removed all of the concrete structure. Water is up. Picture taken late Sunday afternoon

 

[dryflyguy]

Nm -

The 2nd dam removed is not the one that’s just below the bridge at the rock road parking lot then?
Right where the big limestone rock cliff is

 

[nymphingmaniac]

Nm -

The 2nd dam removed is not the one that’s just below the bridge at the rock road parking lot then?
Right where the big limestone rock cliff is

oops. I meant to type DOWNstream dam removal

 

[nymphingmaniac]

ongoing, but dam on Rock rd gone (by the rock). Still grooming the banks. looks good. Se post 20 for the before pictures

 

[dryflyguy]

ongoing, but dam on Rock rd gone (by the rock). Still grooming the banks. looks good. Se post 20 for the before pictures

Gotcha !

 

[OSlumpBuster18]

So, I am wondering if the goal is to restore the stream to natural flows are they going to eventually remove the dam in Bellefonte?

 

[troutbert]

So, I am wondering if the goal is to restore the stream to natural flows are they going to eventually remove the dam in Bellefonte?

The PFBC doesn't own that dam. It's owned by the Borough of Bellefonte. They are very unlikely to agree to its removal because it is considered a scenic and historical feature of the park and the town.

Regarding "if the goal is to restore the stream to natural flows." Removing dams on Spring Creek does not restore the stream to natural flows, and not even remotely close.

Spring Creek's stream/floodplain structure is so highly altered that it's essentially a man-made ditch, from headwaters to mouth. I live near Spring Creek and have explored pretty much the whole length of it. There is no section on the creek that is close to being a natural stream/floodplain system. (This is true of many other streams, not just Spring Creek.)

So, removing a dam changes it from Artificial Condition I to Artificial Condition II. The question is which condition is better. You shouldn't make any assumptions about this. You should compare the habitat in the before and after conditions based on your observations.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

final, project at rock road. Looks a lot nicer than that ugly dam

 

[Acristickid]

Was probably good holding water but I like this much better.

 

[troutbert]

Was probably good holding water but I like this much better.

Why? As you suggest, the holding water has been decreased, which will result in lowering the wild brown trout population.

What do you see as being the upside?

 

[nymphingmaniac]

Was probably good holding water but I like this much better.

I did not think it was particular good holding water such that we should lament its demise.

 

[Acristickid]

Why? As you suggest, the holding water has been decreased, which will result in lowering the wild brown trout population.

What do you see as being the upside?

Easier to move around mostly.

Well, my anecdotal observation would be that was a pool where I usually see rising fish, where some of the other pools did not have the frequency.

 

[joebamboo]

Looks are usually deceiving!

 

[sixfootfenwick]

This looks much better IMO.
Should help fish passage. Anyone know if American eels use spring Creek?

 

[lycoflyfisher]

This looks much better IMO.
Should help fish passage. Anyone know if American eels use spring Creek?

eels are stocked throughout the west branch susquehanna watershed as a result of trap and transport agreements with the lower susquehanna river dams. They are in the river above williamsport, pine creek, lower bald eagle etc.

On Bald Eagle Creek you have the First Quality dam, which may be passable to eel at some flow conditions. Then you have Sayers which would be unpassable except for a herculean effort to make it through the tube. Going up Spring Creek you have the dam in Bellefonte down stream of the dams removed in question.

So to answer your question, no eels are not making it to that section of Spring Creek without a lot of help. There will be benefits for resident fish, brown trout, white suckers, sculpin, etc. Even in Spring Creek the trout like to move around to access different habitat types at different flow conditions. These dams, certainly impacted upstream movement for yoy and smaller fish under most conditions. Highly motivated adult trout could have passed these dams in some flow conditions. There are other benefits to removal that will benefit physical habitat and macroinvertebrate populations.

 

[dryflyguy]

Why? As you suggest, the holding water has been decreased, which will result in lowering the wild brown trout population.

What do you see as being the upside?

I've caught a few fish in that hole over the years.
Mostly on the far bank.
But getting a good drift on them was kinda difficult, because yo had cast across the heavy riffle in the middle.
Also usually saw a few risers down to the dam crest.
But the bridge above it made getting a good float there difficult too