Protecting The Susquehanna River and Impacts on Jobs – Input From Susquehanna River Heartland

Coalition

Choose Clean Water Conference, June 4-5, 2013----Dr Mel Zimmerman, Lycoming College, PA;

We all live downstream and upstream from somebody!

Drains 27,500 square miles

Comprises 43% of the Chesapeake Bay’s drainage area

Is one of the most flood prone areas in the nation

Supplies 50% of total freshwater to the Chesapeake Bay

Is the 16th largest river in the United States

The West Branch Susquehanna watershed drains an area of approximately 4.446 million acres just under 7,000 square miles.

The basin contains more than 1.4 million acres of State Forest Land Over 250,000 acres of State Game Lands Over 29,000 acres of State Park Land Population within the watershed is approximately 580,000 people

www.departments.bucknell.edu/environmental_center/susquehanna_river_monitoring/data_feed.htm

Confluence of West and North Branch confirming the more turbid North Branch and a lack of mixing of the two branches at their meeting point.

Migration of shad and eels

A FLIR B620 Infrared Camera was also used to inspect the size of the thermal plume and to support the temperature intersect profile performed based on ground temperature Dataloggers and continuous physical water properties. The picture was taken at an angle and relatively at far distance from the sources of heat, so it can only be used support the ground-base temperature data. The photo shows how far downstream the plume persists.

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25th percentile Min Max 75th percentile Median

7.91

8.11

8.31

8.51

8.71

8.91

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0.48

8/3/2011 14:28 8/3/2011 14:29 8/3/2011 14:29 8/3/2011 14:30 8/3/2011 14:31 8/3/2011 14:31 8/3/2011 14:32 8/3/2011 14:33 8/3/2011 14:34

SpCond mS/cm pH

Transition zoneWest Branch North Branch

CBF Website

Total Treatment plants = 121

Figure 2. Causes of Impairment in the West Branch Watershed

Acid Mine Drainage

1,153 Miles

57.6%

Agriculture

480 Miles

24.0%

Atmospheric

127 Miles

6.4%

Urban/Road Runoff

37 Miles

1.9%

Other

15 Miles

0.7%

Point Source

4 Miles

0.2%

Source Unknown:

Mercury or Other

Toxins

104 Miles

5.2%

Habitat Alteration

82 Miles

4.1%

1. AMD – Abandoned Mine Drainage/Acid Mine Drainage - results when the mineral pyrite (FeS2) is exposed to air and water, resulting in the formation of sulfuric acid and iron hydroxide Results in the lowering

of the streams pH and the

coating of stream bottoms

with iron , aluminum or manganese

2. Non-Point Source

Agricultural Run-off

Pennsylvania’s Flowing Water Resources - 2008

Surveyed Sections Unassessed Sections

In 2010 PAFB developed a means to involve interested partners in identifying wild trout populations in unassessed waters.

PAFB Developed prioritized lists of unassessed streams.

Use GIS technology to identify potential wild trout streams (watersheds) most at risk.

Developed and implemented pilot program with two colleges ( Lycoming and Kings) . Expanded to nine partners in 2011, fifteen in 2012 ( from SRHCES – Lycomig, Kings, Lock Haven and Susquehanna) . Proposal for 20 in 2013. PAFB electrofishing and safety protocol training, spot visits by PAFB staff and QA/QC data entry on PAFB unassessed waters data base.

Send sampling crews to high priority watersheds and on waters determined to be most at risk

Unassessed Waters Initiative – 2012 Partners

Number of Streams Sampled

2010 2011 2012

PFBC Partners

PFBC Staff

Total

626

261

887

438

304

(1,762 mi)

217

88

(516 mi)

3 Year Total – 1,934 Streams Sampled ( 436 by SRHCES group)

305 742(2,057 mi)

4,335 Miles of Streams

Since 2010, 175 new streams added to the wild trout list (516 miles)

Lycoming and Kings

Pennsylvania’s Flowing Water Resources - 2008

Surveyed Sections Unassessed Sections

Pennsylvania’s Flowing Water Resources - 2012

Surveyed Sections Unassessed Sections

Partially-supported by a State Wildlife Grant administered through the PA Fish & Boat Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

and by grants from the Degenstein Foundation, the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, and the Wild Resource Conservation Fund

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2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

NSA

LBR

Documented Decline of the Eastern Hellbender in

Loyalsock Creek, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

Michelle Herman, Danny Bresticker, and

Peter J. PetokasClean Water Institute and Department of Biology,

Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Abstract: We surveyed for eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) at two locations on

Loyalsock Creek, a major tributary of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Sampling was

conducted annually, between May and August 2006-2011, in order to assess and monitor population size,

density, and age and size structure. All captured adults and juveniles were tagged with passive integrated

transponders as part of a long-term study of population dynamics. The two sampling sites are located 8.1

km apart and contain extensive bedrock and boulder-bed habitat. Water depths range from 1-4 m and the

current is swift, necessitating use of SCUBA for all sampling efforts. Our results depict a dramatic

decline in both of the study populations, with annual sample size dropping precipitously over the six

years of study from 77 to 2 individuals at the upstream site and 56 to 0 individuals at the downstream site.

Hellbender mortality in Loyalsock Creek has been severe and is frequently reported by sportsmen,

kayakers, swimmers, and SCUBA divers, with some reports from as far back as the mid-1990’s.

Although hellbenders still occur in Loyalsock Creek, they are few in number and population recovery is

uncertain. Approximately twenty hellbender carcasses were observed, but only two contained our tags.

Possible causes of mortality include parasites, disease, and chemical pollutants such as pesticides and

endocrine disruptors. This decline parallels similar declines in hellbender populations in tributary streams

of the Main Stem and North Branch of the Susquehanna River over the past two decades.

sssssssss

Graph: The number of annual

captures at the two study locations

declined markedly over the six

years of study (2006-2011).

Above: SCUBA was employed to locate and

capture hellbenders. Each was placed inside a

mesh laundry bag with drawstring closure.

Below: These two hellbender carcasses from

Loyalsock Creek did not contain our study tags.

Above: Rounded boulder habitat characterized

both study locations. Hellbenders were found

deep inside the interstices of the boulder beds.

Below: Dead eastern hellbender observed at LBR

in 2003, three years before this study began.

Special Thanks to Sunken

Treasure SCUBA Center

and A Water Odyssey

SCUBA

sssssssssYear

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f C

ap

ture

s

Above: The downstream population (LBR) contained

a similar number of young adults and older adults.

Far Left: The upstream population (NSA) contained

a large number of young adults and few older adults.

Size Distribution by Length at LBRSize Distribution by Length at NSA

Aggressive invasion of North Branch of Susquehanna River & West Branch tributary Loyalsock Creek

Negative impacts Too large & aggressive for many predators to consume Crowd out natives & outcompete for resources Hybridization: fertile hybrid offspring outcompete & exclude

genetically pure natives; documented with O. propinquus & O. limosus -O. obscurus in Loyalsock??

Destroy aquatic plant beds

Common Name(s): Rusty crayfish

Native Range: Ohio River Basin (OH, IN, IL, KT, TN) 1976: First discovered in PA in lower

Susquehanna River

Habitat: Lakes, rivers, ponds & streams that have adequate rock, log & debris cover

Water Quality Assessment of the Lower West Branch of the Susquehanna RiverLycoming College Clean Water Institute Interns: Chelsea Brewer, Lynette Dooley, Quentin Reinford, Laura Walter, Fred Rogers, Cory Trego, Leslie Kester, Laura Shelmire, Shannon Lesher, Zeb Buck

Under the Direction of Dr. Mel Zimmerman of Lycoming College, Clean Water Institute (http://www.lycoming.edu/cwi/)

Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies (www.srhces.org)

Grants from the Degenstein Foundation (http://www.deg-fdn.org/)

Background & Purpose

Despite being designated as Pennsylvania’s River of the

Year for 2005 by the Department of Conservation and Natural

Resources, the West Branch of the Susquehanna is not exempt

from the stigma surrounding the entire Susquehanna River.

Increased concern for its overall health arose when the whole

Susquehanna River watershed topped the 2005 list of

America’s Most Endangered Rivers issued by the American

Rivers Organization (www.AmericanRivers.org) as a result of

combined sewage overflow (CFO), as well as elevated

nitrogen and sediment loads. Our investigation, which began

in 1999, sought to emulate a 1996 study by Hughey (PA

DEP) to investigate the impact of sewage treatment plants on

the water quality of this section of the Lower West Branch.

In addition, student interns monitored twelve sites along a

75-mile stretch of the Lower West Branch of the Susquehanna

River between Lock Haven and Sunbury. Sites include: Lock

Haven (2 sites- One above damn, one below), Jersey Shore,

Linden, Susquehanna State Park (Williamsport), Greevy boat

launch (Loyalsock), Muncy, Montgomery, Watsontown,

Milton, Chillisaque boat launch (Northumberland), and

Marina (Sunbury). Summer interns will continue to monitor

these sites on a monthly basis.

Results In addition to the evaluation of pH, alkalinity,

conductivity, and nutrient levels, interns also focused their

efforts on documenting the Biochemical Oxygen Demand

(BOD) and coliform bacteria at each site. Macroinvertebrate

samples were also collected at suitable sites by use of rock

baskets, some of which were equipped with hester-dendy

samples. Sites with rock baskets include data for the West

Branch (Watsontown), North Branch (Danville), and Main

stem (Shady Nook) of the Susquehanna river.

Water quality data can be found at the Clean Water

Institute webpage (http://www.lycoming.edu/cwi/).

Confluence where flow from Watsontown meets the flow from Danville.Discharge Source at Kelly Twp. Sewage Treatment Plant Confluence of West and North Branches of the

Susquehanna River at Sunbury

Conclusion

Parameter means and standard deviations for the West Branch Susquehanna River at Susquehanna State Park, 1999, 2000,

2006, 2011, 2012

1995 Mean ± 2000 Mean ± 2006 Mean ± 2011 Mean ± 2012 Mean ±

ParameterStandard Deviation

Standard Deviation

Standard Deviation

Standard Deviation

Standard Deviation

pH 7.3 ± 0.28 7.1875 ± 0.33 7.03 ± 0.07 7.06 ± 0.355 6.93 ± 0.43

Alkalinity (ppm) 20 ± 7.62 27.25 ± 8.17 19.16 ± 5.12 29.19 ± 16.75 34.98 ± 16.52

Nitrate (ppm) 0.252 ± 0.36 0.522 ± .34 1.1 ± 0.85 1.32 ± 0.58 0.86 ± 0.24

Nitrite (ppm) 0.00368 ± 0 0.0069 ± 0 0.0052 ± 0 0.006 ± 0.002 0.006 ± 0.001

Orthophosphate (ppm) 0.0108 ± 0.001 0.025 ± 0.001 0.09 ± 0.03 0.086 ± 0.082 0.036 ± .015

Total Phosphorus ( ppm) 0.56 ± 0.18 0..44 ± 0.22

0..47 ± 0.13 0.153 ± 0.153 0.17 ± 0.06

Temperature ( C ) 12.96 ± 7.77 17.775 ± 5.28 24.13 ± 3.92 23.33 ± 3.802 27.86 ± 6.69

Total Dissolved Solids (ppm)

102 ± 9.8

193 ± 6.9 77.2 ± 8.2 36.61 ± 48.125 117.7 ± 29.43

Dissolved Oxygen (ppm)

7.2 ± 0.2

7 ± 1.63 7.47 ± 2.58 7.26 ± 1.66 6.97 ± 10.88

Although a large amount of data has been

collected, the surveying of the West Branch of

the Susquehanna is a work in progress. Efforts

will be taken to compile all macroinvertebrate

and water chemistry data and determine

relationships to water quality based on

correlations between the two. Efforts will be

continued with the Danville and Shady Nook

sites as well.

.

In 2012, Zebidiah Buck completed a guide

to common Macroinvertebrates in the West

Branch and Tributaries. The contents listed

below are separated by family.

Rock basket with hester-dendy attachments2012 CWI summer interns Rock basket being placed at WatsontownSonde device used for live data feed.

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Jay st. bridge

Lock Haven

Jersey Shore

Linden

Susquehanna Park

Montoursville

Muncy

Montgomery

Watsontown

Milton

Chillisquaque

Sunbury

Mean

Std. Dev.

Concentration of Nitrate (ppm)

Order Amphipoda:1. Family Gammaridae

a. Gammarus

Order Coleoptera:1. Elmidae

a. Stenelmis2. Psephenidae

a. Psephenus3. Haliplidae

Order Decopoda:

1. Cambaridaea. Orconectes

Order Diptera:1.Chironomidae

2. Simuliidae3. Tipulidae

Order Ephemeroptera:

1. Caenidaea. Caenis

2. Isonychiidaea. Isonychia

3. Heptageniidaea. Stenonema

b. Maccraffertiumc. Heptagenia

d. Stenacrone. Leucrocuta

4. Batidaea. Baetis

b. Acentrella5. Tricorythidae

a. Tricorythades6. Potamanthidae

a.Anthopotamus7. Ephemerellidae

8. Leptophelbiidae9. Ephemeridae

Order Gastropoda:

1. Pleuroceridaea. Lymnaeidae

Order Isopoda:

1. Asellidae

Order Megaloptera:1. Sailidae

a. Sialis2. Corydalidae

a. Croydalus

Order Odonata:1. Coenagrionidae

a. ArgiaZygoptera (sub-order)

Order Plecoptera:

1. Leuctridaea. Leuctra

2. Perlodiadae3. Taeniopterygidae

4. Isoperla5. Perlidae

a.Neoperla

Order Trichoptera:1. Hydropsychidae

a.Cheumatopsycheb. Hydropsyche

2. Lepidostomatidae3. Philopotamiidae

a. Chimarra4. Polycentropodidae

a. Neureclipsis

5. Rhyacophilidae

Map provided courtesy of Jeff Brunskill, Department of Geography & Geosciences, Bloomsburg University

Macoinvertebrate Density (org/m²) Data from River Study

Summer 2012

Site: Watsontown Danville

Rock Basket Density (org/m²):

Left Bank (org/m²) N/A 1263.2 ± 1392.44

Center (org/m²) 1594.4 ± 163.78 2017.3 ± 2400.30

Right Bank (org/m²) 983.3 ± 652.82 3377.8 ± 2291.71

Hester-Dendy Density (org/m²):

Left Bank (org/m²) N/A 1830 ± 296.98

Center (org/m²) 1605 ± 558.61 2815 ± 827.31

Right Bank (org/m²) N/A N/A

Grand Mean (org/m²) ± Std. Deviation

Rock Basket Density (org/m²): 1288.9 ± 345.80 2219.4 ± 1071.67

Hester-Dendy Density (org/m²): 1458.3 ± 171.34 2561.7 ± 643.55

*Density calculation is a work in progress at this time. Values labeled N/A are

being determined within the next month.

Additional monitoring has

been made possible

through use of sonde

dataloggers placed at

Milton and Danville sites.

This equipment is shared

by Susquehanna River

Heartland Coalition for

Environmental Studies.