Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan - Western ...

Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 4. Biological Resourceswestern Pennsylvania for a Pennsylvania endangered plant. Only a small area in the southwestcorner of the floodplain shows evidence of logging, but the majority of the wetland is in a pristinecondition.Rare Occurrences: A forested floodplain swamp and one Pennsylvania endangered plant speciesexist at this site.Threats and Stresses: The use of ATVs and horses on a pipeline at the southeastern edge of thefloodplain has resulted in an erosion and sedimentation problem. Another issue is invasion of thepipeline right-of-way by native plants.Recommendations: A forested buffer should be maintained along the entire perimeter of theswamp to protect it from invasive species and hydrological alterations. ATV use should berestricted, and impacts from horseback riding and corralling should be mitigated. Anydevelopments, logging, or damming of the creek which could change the water table should beavoided.Thorn Reservoir BDASignificance: HighLocation: Oakland TownshipDescription: Wetlands at the northernmost end of Thorn Reservoir provide habitat for many plantand animal species, including a species of special concern found within relatively undisturbed wetmeadows and open canopy wetland areas.Rare Occurrences: These sites provide habitat for one animal species of special concern.Threats and Stresses: Large fluctuations in the water level of Thorn Reservoir, as well asdevelopment and coal mining, are activities that could destroy habitat for the species of specialconcern.Recommendations: Development should be guided away from these sites, and activities such asstrip mining for coal or clearing of land for development should be carefully monitored. Anydisturbance between April and November should be avoided. Also, as with the Oneida BDA,authorities should be advised to limit the fluctuation of water levels in the impoundment.Buhls Channel BDASignificance: ModerateLocation: Forward TownshipDescription: Buhls Channel is a remnant oxbow lake formed in an abandoned stream bend, whichhas become separated from Connoquenessing Creek by a change in the course of the creek. Anatural pond community has formed along with a robust emergent marsh, providing habitat foraquatic animals and plants, as well as breeding habitat for waterfowl. The oxbow pond located atthe base of the steep hillside appears to have been cut by the forces of Connoquenessing Creek.The dry oak-heath forest community on the hillside is composed primarily of old growth red oak,white oak, and chestnut oak. Acidic rock outcrops that line the hillside also characterize thecommunity.Rare Occurrences: This site contains two significant natural communities, a natural pondcommunity and a dry oak-heath forest community.Threats and Stresses: The forest community on the hillside is considered to be in an overallpristine condition and is one of the few relatively intact natural areas in Butler County. However,the oxbow has been somewhat impacted by development pressures along its western edge. Foresthas been cleared and summer homes have been built in the area between the oxbow andConnoquenessing Creek. Although it remains a significant community, it is not well buffered anderosion and sedimentation have occurred in areas where the land is being cleared for construction.Additionally, part of the wetland has been drained at its northern end. This community isvulnerable to the impact of the gypsy moth since oak is a preferred food. Although the potentialfor alteration of this forest exists, spraying pesticides is not recommended.4-16