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In April 2002, TCCCA’s Board of Directors
appointed Jack Smith the first
“Stream Steward” of the Conewago. The Stream Steward is the eyes and
ears of TCCCA. His role is to drive the roadways and hike the trails
and stream banks of the Conewago Creek Watershed, and provide TCCCA
with information about problem areas, such as areas of dumping and
littering.
There could not be a better person to serve as Stream Steward than
Jack Smith. Jack grew up
fishing, trapping and exploring on the Conewago and, upon some coaxing,
will humbly inform you that he has walked every mile of the Conewago
at some time in his life. He also served as a Waterways Conservation
Officer for the Fish Commission for a number of years, and his territory
included the Conewago. He still gets out on the Conewago often, to
trap and fish with his grandchildren. If you ever want to hear exiting
stories about the Conewago, look up Jack
Smith—you won’t be disappointed!
Stream Steward Report
Initial Stream Steward Report, June 20, 2002
The Conewago, Then and Now: Initial Impressions of the Conewago
Creek Watershed
Jack gave his initial Stream Steward Report to the TCCCA Board of
Directors on June 20, 2002. This report contains Jack’s historical
perspective on the Conewago, and an initial assessment of what has
changed in the Watershed through the years.
Species
Fish species caught/observed over the years: smallmouth bass,
largemouth bass, pickerel, crappy, bluegill, pumpkinseed, channel
catfish, carp, trout, etc.
Species observed in 1950s: hellbender, American eel. Hellbender
not seen on Conewago since 1950s (needs high quality water to survive).
New species observed within last five years: alewife or gizzard
shad.
Outstanding fishing in the past: 1967, caught limit of pickerel,
all between 17-23 inches.
Base flow of the Conewago
From 1950 to present, volume of water has been reduced by ¼, perhaps
by as much as ½. Significantly less amount of water at base flow conditions.
Fish Kills
Few historically. Only fish kills in memory resulted from rendering
plant near Falmouth.
Sources of Pollutants
Past: farmhouses discharged raw
sewage to streams.
Runoff from fields and cows: under better control today.
Sewage treatment plants: problems with CSO's (combined sewage
overflows). Overflows occurred in the past, and still continuing.
Skeptical about how well facilities are operated. Many more sewage
treatment plants presently. Many are located in headwaters.
Major Dams
1. Aberdeen: washed out by Agnes in 1972.
2. Risser’s Stone Dam: Located between Turnpike bridge and
Prospect Road. One of best fishing spots (has yielded 20 inch smallmouth).
Still in existence.
Bridges
20 bridges over the Conewago.
One covered bridge on Covered Bridge Road (was burned by vandals).
“Old Stone Bridge” or the “Blue Light.” Stone railroad bridge over
Conewago. Quarry hole located near stream. Beautiful fish habitat,
heavily forested area. Now private and posted.
Changes to the Conewago
Lancaster paper used to give a fishing report and include “Hess’s
Hole” on the Conewago, downstream from the Blue Light. Not any more.
Many boulders on creek washed out by Agnes in 1972.
Muskrats: population decreasing last couple of years.
Siltation: has increased in recent years.
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