North Fork Bens Creek Aquatic Passage and Large Wood Project
North Fork of Bens Creek Aquatic Passage and Large Wood, PA
| Project Start Date | |
|---|---|
| Project Leader | |
| Organization |
Includes installation of strategically placed large woody material and upgrading two failing stream crossings in the upper basin on an allopatric brook trout stream.
The proposed North Fork of Bens Creek (PA) large wood fish habitat and aquatic passage project is intended increase the biomass of the stream and buffer the watershed against increasing temperatures. This will be accomplished through the installation of strategically placed large woody material and upgrading two failing stream crossings in the upper basin. The project goals are to increase stream connectivity, encourage infiltration and groundwater recharge, and engage floodplain reconnection and protection. An additional project focus is to increase the diversity of aquatic and riparian habitats by increasing the floodplain water table, managing sediment deposition, creating side channels, fish refuge, floodplain wetlands and encouraging fine debris and leaf pack storage.
The project goals align with the EBTJV key conservation actions through large wood placement and hydrologic benefits that are coupled with this practice. An expected increase in wild brook trout biomass within the catchments will increase the angling opportunities for future generations. The project will also address the reconnection of wild brook trout to the entire watershed through the removal of a fish passage barrier, allowing genetic diversity to be passed through the population.
Project area is 100% forested and has a history of extensive logging practices which has limited the recruitment of coarse woody material to the stream. Acid deposition has also been a historic problem. Additionally, undersized culvert impedes fish passage in the watershed.
Adding woody material to nearly 2 miles of an allopatric brook trout stream will restore natural hydrologic functions, allowing the stream channel to manage flood events, store sediments, and allow ground water infiltration. This will increase stream channel diversity, available refuge and spawning habitat and ground water recharge to maintain a cold water base flow. Fish passage will be restored. The project will reconnect 1.3 square miles of catchment to the main stem of the North Fork of Bens Creek.
|
Project is located on land 100% owned by a public entity and preserved in perpetuity as a conservancy for public drinking water and is open to public use. |
|
Project provides indirect benefits to recreational or tribal fishing; by improving connectivity and in-stream fish habitat, the project will increase angling by increasing the number of catchable-sized brook trout in the waterway (currently this is limited).
|
Funded via NFHP-FWS for FY25.
Associated Locations
| Town | zip code | county | state | congressional dist |
|---|
Barriers
| Name of barrier | Latitude | Longitude | FONS ID | FIS Project ID | FWS Acc. # |
|---|
Document Actions
