Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan
Chapter 4. Biological Resources
ALLEGHENY PORTAGE CREEK BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AREA
Description: Aquatic habitat within Allegheny Portage Creek, the upper Allegheny River, and several of
their tributaries. There are numerous individual collection locations for each rare species
within the site, but they form a single population.
Significance: Notable
Location: Liberty Township, McKean County and Keating Township, Potter County
Rare Occurrences: American brook lamprey
Threats: 1. Runoff from roads in close proximity can contribute to physical degradation of stream
channels, erosion, and sediment pollution.
2. Loss of forest cover within the riparian zone will likely result in physical degradation of
the stream channels, erosion, and sediment pollution in the streams, higher water
temperatures, and disruption of natural nutrient cycling linked to the stream.
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 river corridors maintaining high water quality.
2. Keep timbering, road development and other construction activities away from riparian
corridors in order to avoid degrading important aquatic and river ecosystems.
3. Maintain a high degree of forest cover throughout the watershed to protect water quality
and ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems.
4. Minimize impacts from timber harvesting through the implementation of best
management practices.
ALLEGHENY RIVER AT COUDERSPORT BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AREA
Description: The region possesses cool, clear water and inhabits large creeks and small to medium
rivers. The American brook lamprey and other aquatic animal species of concern not
identified at the jurisdictional agency's request.
Significance: Notable
Location: Eulalia Township, Potter County
Rare Occurrences: American brook lamprey, species of concern not identified at the request of the
jurisdictional agency
Threats: 1. Maintaining suitable aquatic habitats is key for continued success of these species of
concern.
2. Runoff from dirt and gravel roads in close proximity to rivers can contribute to physical
degradation of river channel and erosion and sediment pollutants in the river.
3. Loss of forest cover within core areas resulting in increased water temperatures and
disruption of natural nutrient cycling. Water quality decline from increased sediment loads.
4. Removal of forest cover on steep slopes increases the potential for increased runoff and
erosion following storm events.
Recommendations: 1. Preserve forested river corridors maintaining high water quality.
2. Keep timbering road development and other construction activities away from riparian
corridors in order to avoid degrading important aquatic and river ecosystems.
3. Maintain a high degree of forest cover throughout the watershed to protect water quality
and ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems.
4. Minimize impacts from timber harvesting through the implementation of best
management practices.
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