5 Years (2011-2015) of Sampling Wild Trout Streams with the PFBC Unassessed Waters Initiative
Start Date
13-11-2015 8:00 PM
End Date
13-11-2015 9:59 PM
Description
Since 2011 Susquehanna University has been a partner of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Unassessed Waters Initiative. This cooperative program between the PFBC and colleges and universities seeks to collect biological data on previously unsampled (unassessed) streams across Pennsylvania to determine their status as possible new Wild Trout streams. Prior to this program which began in 2010, only 8% of the 62,725 streams across Pennsylvania had been sampled for biological data by the PFBC. Since 2011, Susquehanna University faculty, staff and students have surveyed 617 previously unassessed waters as part of the program. Sample sites have been predominately across north central Pennsylvania including the following major watersheds: Loyalsock Creek, Schrader Creek, Lycoming Creek, Buffalo Creek, Penns Creek, White Deer Creek, First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek. We found wild trout (brook and brown trout) in 52% of the streams (320 of the 617). A portion (17%) of sampled sites were found to be seasonally dry during the sampling. Brook trout were found in 293 (47%) of the streams. While brown trout were found in 128 (21%) of the streams. The Unassessed Waters Initiative has led to the designation of over 500 new wild trout streams, with many more to be added in the future.
Type
Poster
Language
eng
5 Years (2011-2015) of Sampling Wild Trout Streams with the PFBC Unassessed Waters Initiative
Elaine Langone Center, Terrace Room
Since 2011 Susquehanna University has been a partner of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Unassessed Waters Initiative. This cooperative program between the PFBC and colleges and universities seeks to collect biological data on previously unsampled (unassessed) streams across Pennsylvania to determine their status as possible new Wild Trout streams. Prior to this program which began in 2010, only 8% of the 62,725 streams across Pennsylvania had been sampled for biological data by the PFBC. Since 2011, Susquehanna University faculty, staff and students have surveyed 617 previously unassessed waters as part of the program. Sample sites have been predominately across north central Pennsylvania including the following major watersheds: Loyalsock Creek, Schrader Creek, Lycoming Creek, Buffalo Creek, Penns Creek, White Deer Creek, First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek. We found wild trout (brook and brown trout) in 52% of the streams (320 of the 617). A portion (17%) of sampled sites were found to be seasonally dry during the sampling. Brook trout were found in 293 (47%) of the streams. While brown trout were found in 128 (21%) of the streams. The Unassessed Waters Initiative has led to the designation of over 500 new wild trout streams, with many more to be added in the future.