Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan
Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan
Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan
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<strong>Allegheny</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>Headwaters</strong> <strong>Conservation</strong> <strong>Plan</strong><br />
Chapter 4. Biological Resources<br />
POTATO CREEK-COLE CREEK CONSERVATION AREA<br />
Description: Encompasses a section of Potato Creek and two of its largest tributaries—Cole Creek and<br />
Marvin Creek.<br />
Significance: Exceptional<br />
Location: Keating and Norwich townships, McKean County<br />
Rare Occurrences: American brook lamprey, creek heelsplitter mussel, elktoe mussel, round pigtoe mussel,<br />
sensitive species 2, sensitive species 3, sensitive species 5<br />
Threats: 1. Runoff from dirt and gravel roads in close proximity to streams can contribute to<br />
physical degradation of stream channels and erosion and pollution in streams.<br />
2. Loss of forest cover within riparian zones may also result in increased water<br />
temperatures and disruption of natural nutrient cycling linked to streams.<br />
3. Removal of forest cover on steep slopes is especially problematic because of the<br />
potential for increased runoff and erosion following storm events.<br />
Recommendations: 1. Preserve forested stream corridors to maintain high water quality.<br />
2. Timbering, road construction, oil and gas development, or other construction activities<br />
should be kept well away from riparian corridors in order to avoid degrading important<br />
aquatic and streamside habitats.<br />
3. A high degree of forest cover should be maintained for additional protection of the water<br />
quality and ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystem.<br />
4. Landowners engaged in timbering operations should implement best management<br />
practices.<br />
ALLEGHENY RIVER AT EULALIA BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AREA<br />
Description: The region possesses cool, clear water and inhabits large creeks and small to medium<br />
rivers. The American brook lamprey and other aquatic animal species of concern not<br />
identified at the jurisdictional agency's request.<br />
Significance: High<br />
Location: Eulalia Township, Potter County<br />
Rare Occurrences: American brook lamprey, species of concern not identified at the request of the<br />
jurisdictional agency<br />
Threats: 1. Maintaining suitable aquatic habitats is key to continued success of these species of<br />
concern.<br />
2. Runoff from dirt and gravel roads in close proximity to rivers can contribute to physical<br />
degradation of river channel and erosion and sediment pollutants in the river.<br />
3. Loss of forest cover within core areas resulting in increased water temperatures and<br />
disruption of natural nutrient cycling. Water quality decline from increased sediment loads.<br />
4. Removal of forest cover on steep slopes due to increased potential for increased runoff<br />
and erosion following storm events.<br />
Recommendations: 1. Preserve forested river corridors maintaining high water quality.<br />
2. Keep timbering road development and other construction activities away from riparian<br />
corridors in order to avoid degrading important aquatic and river ecosystems.<br />
3. Maintain a high degree of forest cover throughout the watershed to protect water quality<br />
and ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems.<br />
4. Minimize impacts from timber harvesting through the implementation of best<br />
management practices.<br />
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