Though the river's health is making progress under Pennsylvania's Clean Water Blueprint, agricultural runoff, acid mine drainage, and polluted urban runoff continue to contaminate the Susquehanna, its tributaries, and the Chesapeake Bay. PennEnvironment's recommendations to curb pollution include pressing industrial facilities to use safer alternatives to toxic chemicals; tightening permit controls and increasing enforcement "with credible penalties, not just warning letters"; and making sure small streams and headwaters are protected under the federal Clean Water Act. Why catfish? AMD is the cause for approximately 60 percent of the pollution to the West Branch Susquehanna River and its tributaries. The Susquehanna River's … Major industries, from coal to cabinetmaking, sprang up along its banks, bringing large cities like Harrisburg and a legacy of pollution. Shickshinny Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in the Wyoming Valley in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. “There is no doubt that the Susquehanna River is an endangered river,” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation Vice President Kim Coble. So what does it all mean and how did we get here? The Wyoming Valley urban centers further … A smallmouth bass collected from the Susquehanna River near Selinsgrove displays the black spots that have anglers concerned. We are concerned over the smallmouth bass and the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed because the Susquehanna is the largest single source of water to the Chesapeake Bay. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) today announced its findings for water quality, biology and habitat conditions in 2004, in the Juniata River Sub-basin. The Susquehanna river is polluted. This information is redistributed from Weather.gov and we make no claims as to it’s accuracy, freshness, or reliability. “It is the largest source of fresh water to the Bay, as well as, the largest source of nitrogen pollution. A second major pollutant in the Susquehanna is sediment. About 444 miles (715 km) long, the river and its tributaries (which include the … Over 1,100 miles of waterways within the basin are listed as impaired due to AMD by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) , making the West Branch Susquehanna River basin one of the most polluted basins in the nation. For example, the half life of PCBs in the human body was estimated to be 10-15 years. "Wyalusing Creek flows into the Susquehanna River," Garber said. Please support high-quality local journalism. It flows 444 miles through Central Pennsylvania and into Northern Maryland, where it empties into Der Fluss ist der längste an der Ostküste der Vereinigten Staaten mündende Fluss und rangiert landesweit an 16. Chesapeake Bay Journal. The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States. HEAVY METALS IN A STRETCH OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BADLY POLLUTED WITH ACID MINE EFFLUENTS1 EDWARD J. BRUSH, MARIE KALINOWSKI and THEODORE L. MILLER2 Department of Chemistry King's College Wilkes-Barre , PA 18711 ABSTRACT The Susquehanna River near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania is badly polluted with acid mine effluents. In 2003 the river contributed 50% of the freshwater, 44% of the nitrogen, 21% of the phosphorus, and 21% of the sediment flowing into the Chesapeake Bay. "Nearly 16,000 miles of Pennsylvania's waterways are already unsafe for fishing and swimming," PennEnvironment field organizer Adam Garber said during a press conference on the steps of Scranton City Hall on Wednesday morning. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania is “substantially off track” in meeting its goals to reduce the amount of agriculture-based nitrogen and dirt polluting the Chesapeake Bay by way of the Susquehanna River. The Susquehanna is threatened by pollution, but is also imperiled by the Conowingo Hydroelectric Dam, which alters river flow, blocks fish and impacts water quality. The North Branch begins as the outlet of Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, New York. In 1979, they were banned in the United States because they can be toxic to animals and humans. It is approximately 10.1 miles long and flows through Ross Township, Union Township, and Shickshinny. "Along the Lackawanna River, we're still dealing with the legacy of 150 years of the anthracite coal mining industry," he said. Why not bass? The dam is not the largest source of pollution to the Bay, the Susquehanna River is. Overall, streams in the sub-basin were in good health. This pollution feeds the algal blooms and dead zones that hurt aquatic life. The federal data provides a snapshot of industrial pollution at its source in a specific waterway, Garber said, but it does not account for historical pollution in the rivers or the accumulation of pollution across a river basin. But the substance's half-life—the amount of time it takes to degrade half of a given quantity of the chemical—is exceptionally long. "Wyalusing Creek flows into the Susquehanna River," Garber said. There was an error processing your request. Susquehanna one of 20 most polluted U.S. rivers. The Susquehanna is threatened by pollution, but is also imperiled by the Conowingo Hydroelectric Dam, which alters river flow, blocks fish and impacts water quality. 2. WILKES-BARRE -- After a smallmouth bass caught in the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg turned out to have cancer, the debate over whether the … This data should not be used as a determination of river or water safety during boating, fishing or other water activities. How much is too much? The Susquehanna River Basin is the second largest - next to the Ohio River Basin - east of the Mississippi River. The process to prove that and ultimately issue an impairment designation is more difficult. Andrew Phillips grew up a block from the Susquehanna River, in Selinsgrove.He watched bald eaglets in a nest that hung over the river and never got tired of exploring the "huge, magnificent vein" of water in his own backyard. The Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint requires all sources to reduce pollution, including Exelon.” In the foreground is the Pride of the Susquehanna boat. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The Susquehanna River is a vital resource and economic engine for communities, and a major influence on the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. The River and its tributaries drain an area of about 27,510 Sqm. Bernie McGurl, executive director of the Lackawanna River Corridor Association, pointed out legacy pollution is a major problem for local waterways. "They get even more polluted down the road. All that the Susquehanna bears flows to the Chesapeake Bay. Sampling confirms Harrisburg’s sewage overflow is polluting the Susquehanna River with E. coli A related report finds Pennsylvania has ‘gone backwards’ in its effort to curb river pollution As the rest of Pennsylvania's waterways have seen at least modest water quality improvements in recent years, the Susquehanna River has become a … High around 30F. Susquehanna River pollution effects on smallmouth bass. "The report today shows more and more pollution is getting dumped into our waterways and streams, and that's unacceptable.". Fish are eating the pollutants and getting cancer. Other fish that are less fatty, are lower on the food chain or dwell in upper portions of the river will have lower levels of the chemical. The PennEnvironment report highlights discharges of cancer-causing chemicals, those that persist in the environment, and those that have the potential to cause reproductive problems. 4. The 444 miles of the Susquehanna drain 27,500 square miles covering large parts of New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland before emptying into the Chesapeake Bay. The Susquehanna River delivers half the fresh water in the Chesapeake Bay and about 40 percent of the nitrogen pollution, 20 percent of the phosphorus pollution1, and a heavy load of the sediment pollution. High iron concentrations (mg/1) in the river did not always coincide with high iron discharges (kg/sec). Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus get collected in runoff and drain into streams that eventually go into the Susquehanna River. Most of the pollution in the river is caused by excess animal manure from farming, agricultural runoff, urban and suburban stormwater runoff, and raw or inadequately treated sewage. On the surface, the river is stunning. Back in August, state officials issued several water quality advisories pertaining to coliform bacteria in the river and the surrounding tributaries. A series of dams, from the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam near Sunbury to the Conowingo Dam across the Maryland border, mean that much of the river's sediment—along with any contaminants—has nowhere to go. The American Rivers environmental organization reports that ""The Susquehanna River and its tributaries flow over the Marcellus Shale region, a rock formation… cv22susquehannap2 Warren Ruda / The Citizens' Voice. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are chemicals with unique insulating and lubricating properties that were commonly used in electrical equipment. The Susquehanna River south of Sunbury is now subject to a consumption advisory for channel catfish. The river is both a friend, and in this case an uninvited guest at the Chesapeake estuary. "But the bottom line is, we still have a polluted river, and that is the cause of the problem." More than 2.6 million pounds of toxic chemicals were dumped into the Susquehanna River in 2007, making it … The Susquehanna River flows from upstate New York state to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. So the situation for the Susquehanna is much worse than it … The Exelon Corporation is seeking to renew its federal license to operate Conowingo, and Maryland has the authority to req… The information below shows the Susquehanna River Level Harrisburg at a glance. The Facts About the Conowingo Dam. The report examined the federal government's Toxic Release Inventory for 2007, the most recent year available, which tracks releases of certain toxic chemicals from industrial facilities. Success! The Susquehanna River, near Berwick, Pennsylvania, is badly polluted with acid mine effluents. Today, the largest sources of pollution are farming, storm water runoff and septic and sewer systems. The Susquehanna River contributes approximately 50 percent of the freshwater entering the Chesapeake Bay and 43 percent of its pollution. An example of a flathead catfish, a larger cousin to the channel catfish that is now subject to a consumption advisory in the Susquehanna River. Partly cloudy skies. Eagles that live near the Susquehanna River find less prey than before the Susquehanna was polluted. Low 19F. The Susquehanna River is a vital resource and economic engine for communities, and a major influence on the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. The impact of pollution is not only evident in local waterways. The Susquehanna is the largest river, flowing entirely in the U.S., that drains into the Atlantic Ocean. Er wurde 1997 zum American Heritage River erklärt. A man water-skis behind a boat on the Susquehanna River, as seen from City Island. Fertilizers such as these make algae grow just like when they make plants grow. Subscribe to PennLive. Sampling confirms Harrisburg’s sewage overflow is polluting the Susquehanna River with E. coli A related report finds Pennsylvania has ‘gone backwards’ in its effort to curb river pollution The Susquehanna was once beautiful (like the Potomac River) but people like you and me polluted it. At approximately 444 mi long, it is the longest river on the American east coast and the 16th longest in the United States. The river, whose name comes from the Lenapi phrase for "oyster river," has long been a hub for heavy industry. Susquehanna one of 20 most polluted U.S. rivers. So the situation for the Susquehanna is much worse than it looks here.". Even now, "the water runs through piles of very acidic, very toxic coal waste.". 3. Winds light and variable. Error! On Monday, the state announced such an advisory, along with recommended limits for consumption, for channel catfish. It rises in Otsego Lake, central New York state, and winds through the Appalachian Plateau in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland before flowing into the head of Chesapeake Bay in … Despite its importance, the Ohio River is among the most polluted rivers in the country due to the discharge of raw sewage and agricultural runoff. The Susquehanna River empties into the Chesapeake Bay which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Osram Sylvania Products Inc. in Towanda, dumped 1.4 million pounds of toxins, including nitrates and ammonia, into the Susquehanna River during the same year. Also, far more stakeholders would be affected if a total maximum daily load limit were to be issued for phosphates, since they may originate from farmland, residential lawns and even septic and sewer systems across a 100-mile stretch of the river and its various tributaries. cv22susquehannap4 Warren Ruda / The Citizens' Voice, Boats are launced at Nesbitt PArk on the Susquehanna River. Though the river's health is making progress under Pennsylvania's Clean Water Blueprint , agricultural runoff, acid mine drainage, and polluted urban runoff continue to contaminate the Susquehanna, its tributaries, and the Chesapeake Bay. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). The same year, 10 million pounds of chemicals were discharged into Pennsylvania's waterways, more than all but five other states. View of Riverfront Park and the Susquehanna River from Nesbitt Park. The Susquehanna River is a vital resource and economic engine for communities, and a major influence on the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. Local rivers are also strained by antiquated municipal sewage treatment plants that cause toxic discharges but will cost millions of dollars to upgrade. The Susquehanna contributes, on average, roughly one third of the sediment, one quarter of the phosphorus, and 46 … Garber said PennEnvironment plans to release new reports in the coming weeks about another pollutant of concern in the state: wastewater from natural gas drilling operations. But a decade ago, that reservoir reached its capacity, and … Add to that the fact that PCBs tend to settle to bottom of the river and that the catfish's place at the top of the food chain means it also absorbs PCBs from every organism below it and you potentially have one very toxic fish. The Susquehanna River is the source of drinking water for millions of Pennsylvanians and is an economic engine for tourism and recreation. The Susquehanna is threatened by pollution, but is… See the current river level, flood stages and level predictions for the Susquehanna River Level Harrisburg. Pollutants are sorted into 3 categories: nutrients, sediments, and toxics. Susquehanna River. "We need more funding on the state and federal level to support the local sewer upgrades.". The Susquehanna River is a vital resource and economic engine for communities, and a major influence on the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. Wallace McKelvey | WMckelvey@pennlive.com, at least modest water quality improvements in recent years, diseases and fish kills that are hurting the smallmouth bass. According to … For many years, polluted sediment was trapped behind the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River, sparing the Chesapeake Bay of at least one further insult to its declining health. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Stelle. Those in more vulnerable groups, such as children and pregnant women, should eat the fish even more sparingly. 3. But beneath the water, … For example, according to the report, Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. in Wyalusing Township, Bradford County, discharged 1.5 million tons of toxic chemicals - most significantly nitrate compounds from animal waste - into Wyalusing Creek in 2007, making it the second worst polluter in the state. More than 2.6 million pounds of toxic chemicals were dumped into the Susquehanna River in 2007, making it one of the 20 rivers in the country most inundated by industrial releases. What are PCBs? This has been attributed to many fish kills, increased algae blooms and has hurt the smallmouth bass population. Those numbers, compiled by PennEnvironment in a report released Wednesday, reveal a bleak picture of the sources of pollution that continue to burden state rivers already tainted by centuries of industrial use. Rock Bottom Dam-off Route 363, ½ mile above the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers. 5 cars and trailers. Its watershed has an area of 35.0 square miles and its tributaries include Culver Creek, Reyburn Creek, and Little Shickshinny Creek. We’ll keep reviewing this issue to help improve public awareness of this problem. Why the Susquehanna? On land, nitrogen can leach into the soil and contaminate the groundwater--the water supply for more than one million people in the Susquehanna River basin. The Susquehanna River delivers half the fresh water in the Chesapeake Bay and about 40 percent of the nitrogen pollution, 20 percent of the phosphorus pollution1, and a heavy load of the sediment pollution. To grasp the Susquehanna's sheer size and significance, take a glance at the numbers in the infographic above. Each day's obituaries, delivered to your inbox. Susquehanna River, one of the longest rivers of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. To be clear, the DEP and its various partners routinely monitor both species. In 1973-4 the river contained up to 38.5 mg/1 of iron (monthly mean 3.7 mg/1) and transported from 16 to 844 metric tons (mean 358) of iron past the study area daily. That means that in spite of the ban, the PCBs can last a very long time in the environment and are particularly difficult to get rid of. 5. In 2012, it was the subject of a major push to have the river declared impaired due to a dwindling smallmouth bass population—a designation that could be the first step of a plan to limit further pollution. “We’ve seen disease prevalence as high as 75 percent” among smallmouth bass, said Smith. Although this is an infrequent situation in these waters, the problem could present broader concerns along the more than 400-mile-long Susquehanna River, which is the longest river on the East Coast. This information is redistributed from Weather.gov and we make no claims as to it’s accuracy, freshness, or reliability. The state Department of Environmental Protection has recommended that the general public eat no more than one meal per month of channel catfish over 20 inches long caught between Sunbury, in Northumberland County, and the Maryland border. The Susquehanna River is the longest river on the East Coast of the United States. Just for clarification from here on out, we will call smallmouth bass “smallies.” But, let us backtrack for a second. Unhappily that invading, polluted river, the Susquehanna, is the largest member of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. The Susquehanna River pollution effects on smallmouth bass is in the news again. The Susquehanna River is the 16th largest in the country and the largest rivers located entirely within the United States that flow to the Atlantic. See the current river level, flood stages and level predictions for the Susquehanna River Level Harrisburg. 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