| Bellefonte, PA — The genesis of a new recreational gateway to Spring Creek,
Centre County, began today with work to remove a decaying dam near the confluence of the stream and
Bald Eagle Creek.
Demolition of the McCoy-Linn Dam, an aging 14-foot high, 150-feet long structure that creates a 16-acre
stagnating effect on the creek, is the first step in a larger project to restore a section of Spring
Creek and create a recreational destination. The dam is located between the towns of Bellefonte and
Milesburg. The first of the dams built at this site probably date from early in the 19th century as
part of Harmony Forge and the Milesburg Iron Works. Floodwaters breached McCoy-Linn Dam in 1936, but it was rebuilt
to generate hydroelectricity for West Penn Power, which closed operations in 1950 and has been idle ever since. Today
the dam serves no functional purpose, is a liability and negatively impacts a world-class coldwater fishery. The dam
also blocks boaters from floating downstream to the confluence with Bald Eagle Creek.
The dam and surrounding 25 acres
of property are owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). The ClearWater Conservancy
of Central Pennsylvania is acting on the Commission’s
behalf to manage the project.
“It
has been the Commission’s
desire to remove the dam for nearly two decades. Previously the resources and partnerships were simply
not available,” said
PFBC Executive Director Doug Austen. “By using the same cooperative approach the Commission has been able to
successfully pursue on more than 70 similar projects across the state, we’re now able to move forward with an
effort that will culminate in the creation of a destination fishery similar to the renowned Fishermen’s Paradise.
Likewise, recreational paddling will be greatly enhanced by the dam’s removal.”
In addition to ClearWater
Conservancy and the PFBC, project partners include American Rivers, Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited,
Centre County Historical Society, Centre County Office of Planning and Community Development, National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Pennsylvania State University.
“Removing McCoy-Linn
Dam will significantly improve the water quality and riparian habitat along this reach of Spring Creek
as well as create new recreational opportunities for residents and visitors of Centre County. We are
very excited to see the site restored to its natural condition” said Katie Ombalski, ClearWater Conservancy’s
Conservation Biologist.
“Today,
a new chapter on Spring Creek is about to begin, complete with a free-flowing stream, abundant wild
trout, and incredible natural beauty. The riverside path will be a wonderful way to reconnect people
to their river,” said
Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers, an organization providing significant project funding
through a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Growing Greener grant.
Final products
of the project include restoration of approximately 0.35 mile of a high quality stream and 0.7 mile
of riparian habitat, installation of fish habitat enhancement structures in the newly established stream
channel, and development of public access to 1.3 miles of a contiguous Commission-owned section of Spring
Creek. Additional grant funding has been applied for to support access development and educational signage. |
