Klotz, Mason, Bucknell Center for Sustainability and the Environment, 701 Moore Ave, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, 17837, mak063@bucknell.edu; Reese, Sean, Bucknell Center for Sustainability and the Environment, 701 Moore Ave, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, 17837, spr016@bucknell.edu.
Stream restoration is a critical component of watershed management aimed at improving the ecological integrity, hydrological function, and aesthetic value of degraded waterways. Many streams in the Central Pennsylvania region can be candidates for restorative uplift. One such stream is Limestone Run, a small agriculturally impacted stream that begins near Limestoneville, Montour County and enters the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in the borough of Milton in Northumberland County. Limestone Run has been classified as an impaired waterway according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, but it holds potential as a trout habitat with historical records showing prior holdings. We assessed the lower sections of Limestone Run in Northumberland County to help create a stream restoration plan in coordination with the borough of Milton. Initial water quality results show that stream temperatures in late August are still well below the lethal threshold for native trout. However, this section of stream has reduced habitat for macroinvertebrates and fish. The lower section of the stream runs through borough property and would be a great area for community connections to the natural environment through native plant gardens, walking trails and reflection sites. Our plan emphasizes restoring riparian buffers, improving instream habitats and water quality while reestablishing natural flow regimes to support aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Through adaptive management and long-term monitoring, the plan seeks to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of restoration efforts while fostering community involvement with the local town of Milton and its residents.
Restoration, Trout, Limestone Run