Stream Projects

NPC Members Help Stabilize Riverbank and Create Fish Habitat along Tioga River in Blossburg’s Island Park

Multiple organizations came together with Blossburg Borough for a project to stabilize approximately 300 feet of riverbank along the Tioga River in Blossburg’s Island Park.

If you look at the riverbank in the Park you can see the riverbank has been eroding for some time. The roots of the trees at the edge of the Tioga River are exposed and the trees are getting closer and closer to being undermined.

Before: The roots of the trees at the edge of the Tioga River were exposed and the trees were getting closer and closer to being undermined.

While the Park sits on the banks of the Tioga River there isn’t a lot of safe, easy access to the River itself. The banks are steep and there’s a drop from the top of the bank to the edge of the River.

Some people may be wondering why people would want access to the Tioga River since it’s currently impaired by Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD).

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection are designing an active treatment plant to address the abandoned mine drainage in the Tioga River Watershed.

Within the next couple of years the active treatment plant will be up and running and the Tioga River will be flowing with clean water.

Biologists involved with the project expect there to be fish in the Tioga River within a year of the active treatment plant starting operations. This is possible because not all the tributaries to the Tioga River have AMD impacts. There are several trout streams that flow into the Tioga River.

Based on how other Pennsylvania rivers and streams responded to treatment, biologists involved with the project feel fish, including trout, will begin to move from the tributaries they are in now to the Tioga River. At first, they may not spend a lot of time in the River, but as aquatic habitat improves and their food sources can establish, the fish will spend more time in the River.

This project in Island Park is an effort to not only reduce sediment, but to also improve access for anglers, and create fish habitat for the “visiting” fish by using mud sills, log vanes and deflectors.

TU employees install a series of log and rock structures that will not only stabilize the eroding riverbank, but also create fish habitat along this section of the Tioga River.

Log and Rock Structures Stabilize and Create Habitat

Staff from Trout Unlimited (TU) and the Tioga County Conservation District evaluated the site for potential stabilization and fish habitat in November 2022. During the site visit the group determined that Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission approved fish habitat enhancement structures could be used to stabilize the eroding riverbanks while also improving habitat for fish and other aquatic life.  

The structures do this as the water flowing downstream comes into contact with the logs used in building the structures. The logs are a hard edge and redirect the flow back towards the center of the river.

“The structures will reduce toe erosion along the banks and maintain the thalweg in the center of the channel.”

Phil Thomas, Stream Restoration Specialist with TU’s Pennsylvania Coldwater Habitat Restoration Program.

The structures are built out of logs and rock. The logs are held in place with rebar and rock provides weight to hold the logs in place, and also provides a surface to regrade to create a sloped riverbank. A sloped riverbank allows higher than normal flows to move up the riverbank and spread out. This will slow down the water which further reduces erosion at the site and downstream.

“We usually are using hemlock or larch logs. People are often concerned the logs will rot away. As long as part of the log is in water, the whole log stays wet. Logs are like sponges that way. A wet log will last longer. The water pushes out the oxygen in the log. Without oxygen it doesn’t decay as quickly.”

Tyler Upham, the Tioga County Conservation District’s Watershed Specialist
Tyler Upham, Tioga County Conservation District’s Watershed Specialist, explains the benefits of using the log and rock structures to stabilize the eroding riverbank.

Island Park holds the high school football stadium, tennis courts (painted with pickleball lines), Little League Baseball fields, softball fields, the pool and splash pad, playground, skate park, and a walking path. This community park is used for Friday night football, the annual Coal Festival, and daily walks. This project will help add to the list of recreation possible in the Park by creating habitat for fish, and better access for anglers.

Island Park is a popular destination for the community of Blossburg. The red star indicates the project site where NPC and partners stabilized a section of eroding streambank and created fish habitat.

“NPC became involved in the Tioga River Restoration when a property critical for treatment was listed for sale. As we learned more about the project we realized the recreational potential for the Tioga River and the need to begin to think about public recreation access. Once there are fish in the River, people will want to fish the River. If there are public access points that make it easy for anglers to get to the River it helps everyone. Blossburg Borough has been a great partner and open to the idea of improving their Park and adding recreation.”

Reneé Carey, Executive Director with the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC)

Project Funding and Partners

The project is funded in part by donations from American Legion Post #167, Hillside Rod & Gun Club, Tioga County Concerned Citizens Committee, Tioga County Woodland Owners Association, Tiadaghton Chapter of Trout Unlimited, William B. Wilson Post 572 of the American Legion, the Williamson Road Foundation, and several individuals.

Additionally, the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy received a grant from BHE GT&S through a program administered by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Tioga County Concerned Citizens Committee (T4C) lead the effort to reach out to other local organizations for support.

“We’ve been working a long time on getting the Tioga River cleaned up, but it’s not just about clean water. It’s also about having opportunities for the communities along the River to have access and enjoy fishing and swimming once the River is cleaned up. This riverbank stabilization project is a great example of how a lot of partners can do a small part that makes a big project possible.”

Charlie Andrews, president of T4C

Blossburg Borough Council member Jill Nickerson looks forward to the future opportunities the project will bring for the community.

“The river restoration project is a shining example of what we can achieve through collective effort. By restoring the natural beauty and health of the river, we are creating additional recreational opportunities at Island Park that will benefit everyone in our surrounding communities. Whether you love to fish, kayak, or walk along the riverfront, this project will have a positive impact that will be felt for generations to come.”

Jill Nickerson, Blossburg Borough Council member

About the partners:

  • Trout Unlimited
    Phil Thomas with TU evaluated the site, developed the design, and is implementing construction.
  • Tioga County Conservation District
    Tyler Upham with the District assisted in evaluating the site. He also coordinated the contractor and materials deliveries for the project
  • Tioga County Concerned Citizens Committee
    Charlie and Joyce Andrews coordinated communication with other groups in the area to help raise the funding necessary for the riverbank stabilization project.
  • Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy
    NPC handled various types of paperwork and permitting. Additionally NPC served as the “banker” for the donations from the other community groups and applied for funds through a grant program.

Financial support for this project is provided by BHE GT&S which is dedicated to the economic, physical and social health of the communities served by BHE GT&S companies. This grant program was administered by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in commitment to its core mission of conserving Pennsylvania’s diverse ecosystems through science-based strategy, leadership, and collaboration.

Other Information on the Tioga River Restoration

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission’s Tioga River Restoration’s Mine Drainage program is a great place to start.

Stacey Hanrahan, Communications and Outreach Specialist at shanrahan@srbc.gov, (717) 238-0423 ext. 1314 for additional details.

From the NPC Blog:
March 2024: Town Talks: A Key Component of Conservation
January 2023: Survey Ribbons Mark Progress
November 2022: Tioga River Visit Looks at Erosion and Talks About Fish
July 2022: Municipal Officials Walk Through the First Draft of the Tioga River Mine Drainage Treatment System
May 2022: Blossburg Property Purchased – Tioga River Cleanup Moves One Step Ahead

Stream Projects

Aquatic August: Exploring Macros

Beneath the surface of our streams, rivers, and ponds, a hidden world teems with tiny creatures that reveal a lot about the health of our waters. These creatures, known as aquatic macroinvertebrates, might be small, but they are mighty indicators of water quality.

What Are Macroinvertebrates?

Macroinvertebrates, or macros, are small creatures that are visible to the naked eye and do not have a backbone. Aquatic macros live in all kinds of water, from fast mountain streams to slow, muddy rivers and ponds. Examples include insect larvae, clams, snails, and worms. Many of these creatures spend part or all of their lives on submerged rocks, logs, and plants.

March Brown Mayfly
Stonefly exoskeleton
Dragonfly emerging from nymph to adult – sitting on its nymph exoskeleton allowing its wings to dry before it flies.

Why Use Macroinvertebrates as Indicators?

The health of a water body often reflects the life it supports. Macroinvertebrates are sensitive to changes in their environment, making them valuable indicators of water quality. Their presence, abundance, and diversity provide important clues about the condition of their aquatic habitat:

  • Pollution Sensitivity: Some macroinvertebrates are very sensitive to pollutants like excess nutrients, sediments, or toxins. A drop in their numbers can signal deteriorating water quality, while an increase can indicate improvements (see NPC’s Turtle Creek project!).
  • Habitat: Different species thrive in different conditions. By identifying which species are present, biologists can infer habitat conditions such as oxygen levels or sedimentation.
  • Long-Term Indicators: Unlike fish, which may migrate or have varying tolerances, macroinvertebrates are generally sedentary. Their presence reflects long-term environmental conditions.
  • Collection: They are relatively easy to identify and collect using simple methods.

How Biologists Collect Samples

The EPT Index is a key tool used to assess stream and river quality by examining the presence and diversity of three groups of aquatic macros: mayflies (Ephemeroptera), stoneflies (Plecoptera), and caddisflies (Trichoptera). Here’s how it works:

  • Sampling: Biologists collect samples of aquatic insects from stream or riverbeds. These samples may include larvae and nymphs of mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies, as well as other species.
  • Identification: The collected insects are sorted and identified to determine which species are present.
  • Assessment: The number and types of each insect species are counted. The data is used to calculate the EPT Index. A high number of different species of mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies indicates good water quality, as these insects are sensitive to pollution.
  • Understanding: Streams with many different kinds of these insects have high water quality. Streams with fewer sensitive species and more pollution-tolerant species suggests lower water quality.

The EPT Index helps monitor and manage water quality in Pennsylvania by providing a clear picture of the health of our waters.

Meet the Mayflies, Stoneflies, and Caddisflies

Let us take a closer look at these pollution-intolerant water insects:

Mayflies (Order Ephemeroptera):

Mayflies are a favorite food for trout and have a brief adult lifespan, often living just a few hours to a day. They have delicate wings and long, slender bodies. Their nymphs are flattened and have gills along the abdomen. They are good indicators of water quality because they are sensitive to pollution and require clean-oxygen-rich water to survive.

Adult Mayfly

Stoneflies (Order Plecoptera):

Stoneflies are commonly found in running waters, clinging to boulders, cobbles, water-soaked wood, and leaf packs. Most species are either predators or shredders, feeding on decaying plant material. The presence of stoneflies indicates excellent water quality. However, their absence does not always mean pollution; it could just mean the specific habitat conditions they need aren’t present. In low-oxygen conditions, stonefly larvae do “push-ups” to move water across their gills!

Adult stonefly
Stonefly nymph

Caddisflies (Order Trichoptera):

Female caddisflies lay their eggs in or just above the waterline. When the eggs hatch, larvae emerge and live underwater for up to a year, using feathery gills to breathe. Some species of larvae build protective cases from materials like sand, gravel, leaves, and twigs, which offer camouflage and protection from predators. While net-spinning caddisfly larvae build nets to collect detritus (leaf particles) to eat as they flow downstream. After pupating, they transform into winged adults and live for about a month. The presence of caddisflies usually signals good water quality.

Adult caddisfly

Magical Macros & the Northcentral Stream Partnership

By studying these tiny indicators, biologists can gauge the health of our waters and help direct conservation efforts. As part of the Northcentral Stream Partnership, the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) collaborates with state agencies, county conservation districts, and landowners to restore the health of impaired streams in our region. Through various streambank stabilization projects, we work to decrease erosion, reduce pollution, enhance habitat for aquatic life, and stabilize banks with native plantings.

The presence of pollution-intolerant macroinvertebrates in two segments of Turtle Creek indicates that the efforts of NPC and the Northcentral Stream Partnership have successfully restored the creek’s health.

In early 2024, two segments of Turtle Creek were removed from Pennsylvania’s list of impaired waters after being resampled by biologists. The sampling revealed a comeback of our favorite macros—mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies! This wasn’t by magic, but rather the result of teamwork, consistent effort, and the support from the NPC membership.  So, the next time you spot a mayfly drifting on the surface or a caddisfly case nestled in the sediment, take a moment to relax—you’re in healthy water!

Stream Projects

NPC Awarded Grant to Support Stream Health

The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) members support the health of our streams
and rivers through a variety of forward-thinking projects. Which is why we are thrilled to
announce that NPC was recently awarded a grant from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) to support upcoming projects on Spring Creek in Centre County.

NPC is teaming up with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) at three sites over the next three years to:

  1. Improve habitats in and around the stream
  2. Improve wetlands and increase groundwater recharge
  3. Reduce sediment and nutrients in the water
  4. Improve the connection between the stream and its floodplain

Log and rock structures will be added to the stream to reduce erosion. These structures can also
help reconnect Spring Creek to its floodplain. This will help improve water quality and improve
habitat in the stream, especially during low-flow periods.

Wild Brown Trout (photo credit Sara Schlesinger)

After the structures are installed, the team plans to add new plants to the stream banks. This
riparian buffer will help stabilize the banks, add leaf litter (food for various water insects), and
provide shade, which will help keep the water cooler and reduce evaporation.

NPC is looking forward to kicking off this project with our partners later this summer. Thank
you to SRBC and to the NPC membership for their ongoing support!

Become a Member