Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan - Western ...

Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 3. Water Resourcesportion of the Ohio River. Within this sub-basin, the Connoquenessing Creek, including Slippery RockCreek is considered to be watershed C. Therefore, DEP classifies it as watershed 20C.Major TributariesUpper Connoquenessing WatershedThe headwaters of the Connoquenessing Creek originateabout 10 miles northeast of Butler, Pa. The upper portion ofthe mainstem of the Connoquenessing Creek generally flowssouth until it reaches the city of Butler. Route 38 runs adjacentto this upper portion of the mainstem for the majority of itslength. The Oneida and Boydstown dams, which control flow,can be found along this stretch of the creek. Bonnie Brook, aheadwater tributary, originates near the small town of NorthOakland, Butler County, and flows through East Butler beforeentering the Connoquenessing Creek upstream of Butler.Thorn CreekMiddle Connoquenessing WatershedThorn Creek stems from two reservoirs near Herman, Pa. It flows south to a bend around FrazierMill, then continues in a northwest direction until it enters the mainstem slightly upstream of Renfrew,Pa. Glade Run, Breakneck Creek, and Little Connoquenessing Creek, respectively, spill into theConnoquenessing before its waters flow through Zelienople, Pa. Glade Run begins near the Glade MillAirport, is impounded to form Glade Run Lake, then continues northwest until it enters theConnoquenessing Creek downstream of Ribold. The headwaters of Breakneck Creek originate just acrossthe county line in Allegheny County. It then flows north through Valencia, Mars, and Evans City, beforeentering the Connoquenessing Creek upstream of Harmony.Lower Connoquenessing WatershedWhile all of the major tributaries to this point have entered from river-left, the LittleConnoquenessing Creek enters from river-right. The Little Connoquenessing flows southwest from thearea about one mile south of Unionville, and enters theConnoquenessing Creek at Harmony Junction (formerlyEidenau), just downstream of where Breakneck Creek enters.The Connoquenessing Creek then borders Harmony andZelienople, primarily traveling west. Brush Creek, whichbegins near Interstate 76 on the border of Butler andAllegheny counties, flows northwest, traveling through BrushCreek Park and under a historic covered bridge beforeentering the Connoquenessing Creek on river-left near thetown of Hazen. Through its final six-mile portion, theConnoquenessing Creek drops 100 feet in elevation down aLittle Connoquenessing Creekgorge between the Frisco Railroad Bridge and its confluencewith the Beaver River at Rock Point. This entire stretch windsthrough Ellwood City and provides up to Class III rapids for whitewater enthusiasts to enjoy. One milebelow the Frisco Bridge, the Slippery Rock Creek subwatershed merges in Ellport, typically doublingwater flows for the final five-mile run.3-2