Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 4. Biological Resources OSWAYO CREEK AT SHINGLEHOUSE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AREA Description: The main channel of Oswayo Creek is approximately 50–65 feet wide and seven feet deep. Along the edge, some places have exposed soils or gravel with little herbaceous cover due to steep banks. Other areas are herb-dominated marshes, shrub thickets, and floodplain forest. Within the area, the aquatic habitat supports two mussel species of concern (round pigtoe and long-solid). They are known to inhabit medium to large rivers with sand and gravel substrate. Significance: Exceptional Location: Sharon Township, Potter County Rare Occurrences: round pigtoe, long-solid Threats: 1. Pollution that lowers dissolved oxygen and increases ammonia levels and siltation, as well as dredging threaten native freshwater mussels. 2. Removal of forest cover on steep slopes may be problematic, increasing the potential for runoff and erosion following storm events. 3. Runoff from dirt and gravel roads in close proximity to the stream can contribute to physical degradation of the site. Recommendations: 1. Implement best management practices to minimize and prevent water pollution. 2. Support and engage in research of degraded surface and groundwater resources. 3. Preserve riparian corridors along waterways to maintain high water quality. Timbering, road development, and other construction activities should be kept away from riparian corridors to avoid degrading important aquatic and streamside habitat. OSWAYO CREEK CONSERVATION AREA Description: The main channel of Oswayo Creek is 50–65 feet wide and seven feet deep. In places along the stream, the edge has some exposed soil or gravel with little herbaceous cover because of the stream's steep banks. Other areas adjacent to the stream are herb-dominated marshes, shrub thickets, and floodplain forest. The stream provides habitat for round pigtoe mussel, wavy-rayed lampmussel, elktoe mussel, and Ohio lamprey. It is a warm-water community, characteristic in medium to large waterways found in relatively high elevations, with intermediate alkalinity and conductivity values and slightly basic pH values. Warm water temperatures are also characteristic in this community. Significance: Exceptional Location: Ceres Township, McKean County Rare Occurrences: Elktoe mussel, Ohio lamprey, round pigtoe mussel, wavy-rayed lampmussel Threats: 1. Runoff from dirt and gravel roads in close proximity to streams can contribute physical degradation of stream channels, erosion, and pollution in the stream. 2. Loss of forest cover in riparian zones may increase water temperatures and disruption of natural nutrient cycling linked to streams. 3. Removal of forest cover on steep slopes is especially problematic because of the potential for increased runoff and erosion following storm events. Recommendations: 1. Preserve forested stream corridors to maintain high water quality. Timbering, road construction, oil and gas development, or other construction activities should be kept well away from riparian corridors to avoid degrading important aquatic and streamside habitats. 2. A high degree of forest cover should be maintained for additional protection of water quality and ecological integrity. 3. Implement agricultural best management practices that are suitable for reducing or minimizing water quality impacts, as part of a watershed approach to management. 4-16
Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 4. Biological Resources OSWAYO CREEK BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AREA Description: This area provides habitat for the American brook lamprey, an aquatic animal species of concern that requires cool, clear water and inhibits large creeks and small to medium sized rivers. Significance: Exceptional Location: Clara, Hebron, and Sweden townships, Potter County Rare Occurrences: American brook lamprey, harpoon clubtail, northern bluet, Ohio lamprey, sable clubtail, stalked bulrush, and a species of concern not identified at the request of the jurisdictional agency. Threats: 1. Runoff from dirt and gravel roadways in close proximity to waterways can contribute to degradation of stream channels and increase erosion and sedimentation pollution. 2. The loss of forest cover could increase water temperatures and disrupt the natural nutrient cycling linked to the river. If substantially reduced, water quality is likely to decline, due to increased sediment load. The removal of forest cover along steep slopes would increase runoff and erosion following storm events. Recommendations: 1. Preserve forested river and stream corridors to maintain high water quality. 2. Timbering, road development, and other construction activities should avoid riparian buffers in order to avoid degrading important aquatic and riverside habitats. 3. Forest cover should be maintained to protect water quality and ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystem. 4. Landowners conducting timbering activities should implement best management practices to minimize impacts. POTATO CREEK CONSERVATIONAREA Description: Aquatic habitat within Potato Creek and several of its tributaries. Because the site is linked by flowing water, each rare species within the site may well be a member of a single population extending throughout the Potato Creek system. Significance: Exceptional Location: Keating and Norwich townships, McKean County Rare Occurrences: American brook lamprey, Ohio lamprey, sensitive species #2, sensitive species #3 Threats: 1. Runoff from dirt and gravel roads in close proximity to streams can contribute to physical degradation of stream channels and erosion and pollution of/in streams. 2. Loss of forest cover within riparian zones may also result in increased water temperatures and disruption of natural nutrient cycling linked to streams. 3. Removal of forest cover on steep slopes is especially problematic because of the potential for increased runoff and erosion following storm events. Recommendations: 1. Preserve forested stream corridors to maintain high water quality. 2. Timbering, road construction, oil and gas development, or other construction activities should be kept well away from riparian corridors in order to avoid degrading important aquatic and streamside habitats. 3. A high degree of forest cover should be maintained for additional protection of the water quality and ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystem. 4. Landowners engaged in timbering operations should implement best management practices. 4-17
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Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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