Here is a view of the beautiful susquehanna river in pittston, pa. Susquehanna, river of dreams johns hopkins university press. Susquehanna river pollution effects on smallmouth bass. River of dreams explores the rich history of the susquehanna river and ultimately connects the history to our current pollution problems towards the chesapeake bay. The susquehanna river is the longest river on the east coast of the united states. New era, may have written the ultimate book about the susquehanna river. It flows 444 miles through central pennsylvania and into northern maryland, where it. The susquehanna river, in its entirety, is the 16th largest river in the united states and is considered pennsylvanias river for its importance as a source of drinking water, recreation and hydroelectric power to millions of people in its watershed. Pollution from tanneries and the clearing of land were some of the first sources of manmade pollution in the susquehanna. Susquehanna river americas most endangered rivers for 2016. Susquehanna river, one of the longest rivers of the eastern seaboard of the united states. Conowingo dam alters river flow, blocks fish and impacts water quality, harming the susquehanna and the chesapeake bay downstream. Along the river tour, jack brubaker examines the natural and human history of.
The story of the anacostia echoes the story of rivers across america. Stormwaterpa susquehanna river how healthy is susquehanna. The story of this strange creature is thought to have its roots in pennsylvanias lumber history. Jun 27, 2017 a second growing greener was enacted in 2005.
This story map was created with the story map cascade application in arcgis online. Here are five things you need to know about pollution here. Down the susquehanna to the chesapeake nhbs academic. The environmental group american rivers named the susquehanna americas most endangered river for 2005 because of the excessive pollution it receives. The epa implemented federal pollution restrictions on the chesapeake bay watershed, which includes pennsylvanias susquehanna river watershed, in 2010, which requires significant reductions in stormwater, agriculture, and industrial pollution. Susquehanna national heritage area offers a variety of guides, books, and prints relating to the susquehanna river and the surrounding region. The susquehanna is threatened by pollution, but is. The only account of a person catching a squonk comes from the book fearsome creatures of the. The epa and susquehanna river chesapeake bay program. Down the susquehanna to the chesapeake keystone books 1st edition. The susquehanna river basin is the second largest next to the ohio river basin east of the mississippi river. Stranahan could well know more about the present natural state of the susquehanna river and its 27,500squaremile watershed than anyone. That is what made the susquehanna, really, what it is today.
During the 20th century, we transformed into a fouryear university offering a range of bachelors degrees for students. Also, living near the river i enjoyed the historical background. Stories of the susquehanna valley began in 2010 as a unique research project focused on a watershed, utilizing multimedia scholarship, designed to articulate, highlight, and learn from stories that form our region, our communities, our ecosystems, and ourselves. The susquehanna river is a major river located in the northeastern and mid atlantic united. In susquehanna, river of dreams awardwinning journalis. Recommended by our team members in our pennsylvania office, susquehanna. Down the susquehanna to the chesapeake by jack brubaker.
The west branch susquehanna river is one of the two principal branches, along with the north branch, of the susquehanna river in the northeastern united states. By the end of the 18th century iron furnaces, lumber operations, and farmers were tapping into the natural resources of the lower susquehanna watershed. Jan 25, 2018 lower susquehanna riverkeeper hangs it up for politics january 25, 2018 talon energy shutters brunner island river access january 25, 2018 greener codorus initiative january 25, 2018. The impact of pollution is not only evident in local waterways. 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 maryland. Buy a cheap copy of susquehanna, river of dreams book by susan q. Ancient petroglyphs found along the lower susquehanna serve as a testament to the rivers long history as a sustaining resource for its inhabitants.
Susquehanna river nai bi san mus iin uun a chesapeake bay. A reading list of books about the chesapeake bay watershed. Apr 12, 2016 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 susquehanna river figures in the history of the latter day saint. Susquehanna river pollution effect on smallmouth bass. Aug 01, 2016 agricultural pollution and invasive species continue to plague the susquehanna river in york county, the department of environmental protection said monday in its annual water quality report. The lower susquehanna basin holds the majority of the agricultural uses, with 36% of the. A history of the region of pennsylvania north of the ohio and west of the allegheny river, of the indian purchases, and of the running of the souther, northern, and western state boundaries. 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. The population in the susquehanna basin increased by 19 percent more than half a million people between 1950 and 1980. 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 susquehanna is threatened by pollution, but is also imperiled by the conowingo hydroelectric dam, which alters river flow, blocks fish and impacts. The susquehanna river guide by christopher beatty is an exceptional resource for helping people enjoy the fishing, hiking, and boating available in the susquehanna valley.
Mar 26, 2020 susquehanna river, one of the longest rivers of the eastern seaboard of the united states. The result is a unique natural history of the vast susquehanna watershed and a compelling. Stranahan tells the sweeping story of one of americas great rivers ranging in time from the susquehannas geologic origins to the modern threats to its ecosystem, describing human settlements, industry and pollution, and recent efforts to save the river and its drowned estuary, the chesapeake bay. The susquehanna river heartland coalition for environmental studies srhces is a unique collaboration working together on ecological research projects. While a very small percent of the water use in the susquehanna basin is directed towards agricultural use about 1%, a significant portion of land cover in the basin is agricultural. Changes in land use have accompanied this population growth. Much more comprehensive than most river histories published before the recent rise of concern about dangerous water pollution. Enforcing pollution limits and encouraging best management practices in the susquehanna river basin. This expanded and revised edition covers 250 miles of river from the chespeake bay to the west branch at williamsport, pa, and the north branch above wilkesbarre, pa. The susquehanna river has been named the third mostendangered river in the united states in an annual list by the environmental group american rivers the group selected the susquehanna. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
You can shop for these items online or stop in to visit us at the zimmerman center for heritage or columbia crossing river trails center. The susquehanna river drains about 27,000 square miles of new york, pennsylvania, and maryland. The north branch, which rises in upstate new york, is generally regarded as the extension of the main branch, with the shorter west branch being its principal tributary. Agricultural pollution and invasive species continue to plague the susquehanna river in york county, the department of environmental protection said monday in its annual water quality report. The susquehanna river is the longest commercially nonnavigable river in the united states, and it is the largest river lying entirely within the united states that drains into the atlantic ocean. However, through updates on the positive health of the river and by connecting with local residents through. Sep 01, 1993 tells the story of one of americas great rivers, ranging in time from its geologic origins to the modern threats to its ecosystem. In susquehanna, river of dreams awardwinning journalist susan q. The susquehanna river drains directly into the chesapeake bay. In fact, the name susquehanna is derived from the delaware indian name sisawehadhanna, which means river oyster. A sewage line has ruptured spewing hazardous waste and toxic chemicals into the river. The study unit, however, consists of 9,200 square miles in the lower susquehanna river basin from sunbury, pa.
Environmental protection agency, pennsylvania is substantially off track in meeting its goals to reduce the amount of agriculturebased nitrogen and dirt polluting the chesapeake bay by way of the susquehanna river. Funded development of tool that protected drinking water in new oxford, adams county from contamination during chemical spill. It flows 444 miles through central pennsylvania and into northern maryland, where it empties into the chesapeake bay. The susquehanna river contributes approximately 50 percent of the freshwater entering the chesapeake bay and 43 percent of its pollution. 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. Industrial pollution lower susquehanna riverkeeper. The book describes the human settlements, industry and pollution, and recent efforts to save the river and its drowned estuary. Sep 10, 2015 so 125 feet above our heads is where the river would have been at some stage at the end of the ice age, said jones, a geologist and program coordinator with the york county department of parks and recreation who has given many talks about the rivers geological history.
There have been dozens of books written about the susquehanna river, the. Friends of the chemung river watershed, or chemung river friends, is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that partners with municipalities to protect these waterways and use them to improve the quality of life, economy, and natural environment of our communities. Along the river tour, jack brubaker examines the natural and human history of the. Aug 11, 20 the susquehanna river is the longest river on the east coast of the united states. This excellent book about the susquehanna river is as good as, and maybe better than, the celebrated. The vanishing trout charles lose with susquehanna chapter of trout unlimited picnic and book discussion consolidated sportsmen of lycoming county, route 87, plunketts creek township 111718 a year in the life of the loyalsock with underwater photographer and videographer keith williams. Jack brubaker, who writes the scribbler column for lnp, is the author of an environmental and human history of the susquehanna river, down the susquehanna to the chesapeake, published by. 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. Funding projects to prevent pollution and supervise public water systems. Geology and history recorded in susquehanna rocks bay journal. All that the susquehanna bears flows to the chesapeake bay.
957 1133 827 608 1186 1141 1494 1040 1078 533 231 96 790 1029 1052 1150 100 747 184 832 1033 445 358 1446 237 790 317 1335 1344 674 505 884