Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 4. Biological Resources crop fields, and unpaved roadways will reduce the amount of sediments and contaminants introduced to the streams (Walsh, Deeds, & Nightingale, 2007). High Quality Large Stream Macroinvertebrate Community represents high-quality mid-reached streams found in higher elevations with moderate gradients (Walsh, Deeds, & Nightingale, 2007). This community type is typically located in high quality habitats and in highly forested catchments, while urbanized development and agricultural operations are typically minimal. Water temperatures are cool, and water chemistry values suggest some disturbances exist in the watershed, but do not indicate elevated pollution levels. Blue-winged olive dun mayfly, acentrellan mayfly, dark leadwinged olive mayfly, ephemerellid mayfly, pale evening dun mayfly, fingernet caddisfly, netspinner caddisfly, and small minnow mayfly are typical species found within this community. This community contains a biologically diverse assemblage of organisms, of which many are intolerant of organic pollution (Walsh, Deeds, & Nightingale, 2007). Threats to the High Quality Large Stream Macroinvertebrate Community increase as streams reach valleys and urbanized areas. Pollution, habitat alteration, acidic precipitation, and increased levels of sediment and nutrients from poorly managed buffers and agricultural areas can affect this community. Streambank fencing and vegetated riparian buffer plantings can mitigate sedimentation and agricultural runoff. Retention and treatment of any municipal discharges can help improve water quality and habitat conditions (Walsh, Deeds, & Nightingale, 2007). The Common Large Stream Community occurs in medium sized to large streams that maintain fairly good water quality. These streams typically occur in high elevations with high gradients and high quality in-stream habitats. Sections of stream within this community are often affected by disturbances, such as non-point source pollution, that can cause excess sedimentation and could decrease water quality. This community contains a diverse assemblage of organisms that has a relatively high richness. Nemourid broadback stonefly, ameletid mayfly, taeniopterygid broadback stonefly are indicator species for this community (Walsh, Deeds, & Nightingale, 2007). Threats to this community come from agricultural operations, municipal point source pollution, and urban stormwater effluents. Agricultural runoff and animal feed lots increase sedimentation; however, implementing vegetative streambank buffers and livestock crossings can reduce sedimentation and improve conditions. Mitigating stream discharges, such as stormwater runoff and point source sewage effluents, through treatment and upgraded systems reduces pollution impacts on the streams habitat (Walsh, Deeds, & Nightingale, 2007). Mussel Communities The Spike Mussel Community inhabits medium sized streams to large rivers that contain sand and gravel substrate within riffle areas of fast moving and low gradient waterways. It is commonly found in the larger tributaries to the Allegheny River, such as Potato Creek. Species that typify this community include spike mussel and black sandshell. Other mussels, such as mucket, fatmucket, fluted-shell, and pocket-book are also commonly found within this community, but are common in other communities, as well (Walsh, Deeds, & Nightingale, 2007). Habitats that support this community are often located in areas that have substantial agricultural operations that likely impact the water quality. Managing agricultural runoff through the installation of vegetative riparian buffers and riparian fencing should improve conditions. Strategies for retention of stormwater and encouraging groundwater recharge could be applied where impervious surfaces create runoff. Implementing additional proactive approaches to reducing sediment and nutrient loading that is 4-10
Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 4. Biological Resources caused by agriculture operations, such as the management of livestock, crops, and soils can minimize degradation (Walsh, Deeds, & Nightingale, 2007). Fish Communities Three fish communities have been identified within the Allegheny River headwaters region— coldwater, coolwater, and warmwater. Coldwater Fish Community occurs in small, swift headwater streams that contain cold water temperatures. Undisturbed forested landscapes often surround coldwater community streams. The forested buffers preserve the cold and well-oxygenated high quality waterways. Natural cover, such as logs, woody debris, and loose gravel, are abundant to support spawning and healthy fish populations. Brook trout, mottled sculpin, brown trout, and rainbow trout are prevalent species within this classification. Streams in these watersheds may have wild-reproducing populations of brook and/or brown trout. Streams within this community can be threatened by acid deposition, agricultural runoff, and increased sedimentation from suburban development and road runoff. Riparian buffers, rotational grazing, and other erosion control practices can minimize agricultural impacts, but runoff from roadways and suburban development need to be addressed, especially while new home and commercial development is occurring. Coolwater Fish Community typically occurs in small to medium sized waterways that are fairly fast flowing and have intermediate temperatures often designated as Cold Water Fisheries (CWF) by PA DEP. Coolwater habitats are valley streams with cobble and gravel substrates with available cover for fish species. Blacknose dace, creek chub, stocked brown trout, white sucker, redside dace, longnose dace, fathead minnow, pearl dace, and slimy sculpin are typical species found within this community; although fish tolerant of cool and warm temperatures are also present. This community often represents a transition between coldwater and warmwater communities. Often located in waterways with low to moderate water quality, coolwater fish communities face a variety of pollution sources that impact conditions—agricultural operations, urban runoff, wastewater outfalls, and a lack of vegetative riparian buffers. Restoration of stream temperature, habitat, and water quality are needed. Managing stormwater runoff, restoring vegetative riparian buffers, and reducing erosion and sedimentation would improve conditions. Warmwater Fish Community is found in larger streams that are characterized by a diverse fish community. Species, such as greenside darter, central stoneroller, rainbow darter, johnny darter, fantail darter, logperch, stonecat, silver shiner, golden redhorse, mimic shiner, pumpkinseed, yellow bullhead, largemouth bass, green sunfish, tonguetied minnow, and Ohio lamprey, are typically found within this community. Warm water temperatures are common, and there are more thermal tolerant fish species in this community group than coldwater or coolwater communities. Streams within this community represent small to medium-sized warmwater systems with little silt and turbidity. Impaired waterways within this community have poor water quality, increased turbidity and low dissolved oxygen levels. Non-point source pollution from agricultural runoff, impervious surfaces, and poorly managed agricultural areas are threats within warmwater communities. Supporting streams may be impaired by siltation, low dissolved oxygen, organic enrichment and hydro modifications from agricultural operations. Point sources, such as sewage treatment plants, may damage stream habitats increasing the nutrient load. Warmwater streams typically occur in valleys downstream from human influences and are subject to pollution. Stormwater management, riparian buffer restoration, erosion control, and streambank fencing are needed to improve conditions. 4-11
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Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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