Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan
Chapter 3. Water Resources
There are no natural lakes in Pennsylvania other than glacial lakes; however, lakes have the potential
to be formed by natural events, but these lakes do not typically get termed as natural lakes. Oxbow lakes
form when the river channel is changed isolating a portion of the river from its former channel. Beavers
build dams across small waterways backing up the flow of water creating a pond. Earthquakes and
landslides can also create lakes and ponds, but these events are
unlikely within the Allegheny River headwaters region (U.S.
EPA 1 , 2007; Spring Creek Aquatic Concepts).
Marilla Spring Reservoir near Bradford,
PA
Upstream impacts can threaten the health of lakes. An
overabundance of nutrients and sediment; the addition of
organic waste, metals, and other organic chemicals; and rapid
fluctuations in water levels are major threats to the water quality
of lakes. A variety of sources, such as malfunctioning sewage
treatment systems and septic tanks, runoff from pavements like
parking lots, roads, and rooftops; urbanized areas, lawns,
agricultural practices, and the destruction of shoreline
vegetation can increase the amount of erosion and
sedimentation.
The region has four significant impoundments—Hamlin Lake, the center point of Hamlin Park, and
three water supply reservoirs used by the Bradford Water Authority to provide drinking water to the
Bradford region (See Figure 3-7).
Hamlin Lake is the centerpiece of Smethport, being a cultural and recreational center. Originally
built in 1822, John Applebee used the lake to support a gristmill for grinding grain. Shortly after, a saw
mill was built, which used water power from the lake to operate the mill. During the lumbering era,
during the 1800s and 1900s, the old mill pond was used for storage as it was filled with floating logs
waiting to be milled. In 1929, the lake and surrounding lands were donated to Smethport Borough for the
creation of a park (Porter, 2008).
Bradford Water Authority has constructed three reservoirs to provide drinking water to over 5,000
residents within the Greater Bradford area. Gilbert Reservoir was first to be constructed in 1888; it is
located along Gilberts Run in Bradford Township. It has the capacity to hold 206 million gallons. In
1898, Marilla Reservoir was constructed along Marilla Brook to increase the volume of water needed by
the water authority to adequately service the region. In 1920, the Marilla Reservoir was enhanced, and
now can hold a capacity of 120 million gallons. The third reservoir, the primary source of water to the
Bradford water system, is the Heffner Reservoir, located on the West Branch on Tunungwant Creek. Built
in 1956, the Heffner Reservoir can hold 760 million gallons of water (Bradford City Water Authority).
Wetlands
Areas that contain water-loving plants and have undrained wet soils that are saturated or covered by
shallow water at some point during the year are wetlands. Water storage, water filtration, and biological
productivity are the primary functions of a wetland.
Wetlands act like a sponge, absorbing water, then slowly releasing it. A one-acre wetland can store
one to one and a half million gallons of floodwater. This process allows groundwater to recharge,
maintains a base flow during dry periods, and slows the flow of water, reducing the potential for erosion
and flooding. The longer the water remains in the wetland, the more suspended materials are filtered out
of the water.
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