Habitat project at Deer Creek cuts sediment, boosts water quality

Thousands of trout stocked each year in Indiana Township’s Deer Creek will soon have a healthier habitat.

A project to stabilize a portion of the creek’s eroding streambank is expected to cut excess sedimentation by 18.7 tons a year, according to the Western PA Conservancy.

The nonprofit partnered with the state Fish and Boat Commission on the initiative. Other partners included Camp Deer Creek and the Allegheny County Conservation District.

Greg Schaetzle, conservancy watershed manager, said the goal was to reduce sediment within the Deer Creek watershed and improve water quality. Deer Creek is a tributary to the Allegheny River.

The project will potentially cut nitrogen loads by 50.8 pounds a year and phosphorus loads by 14 pounds a year, Schaetzle said.

The cost was $157,000.

Crews targeted a 2,000-foot section of the stream on Camp Deer Creek property off Eisle Road. Work included 32 log and rock devices.

Habitat enhancements included deflectors and vanes to redirect stream flows, increase scour pools and overhead cover, and stabilize the banks.

Schaetzle said crumbling streambanks were at risk of collapse during flooding, which could threaten to cause major sedimentation and property damage.

State Sen. Lindsey Williams, whose district includes the township, said work will help thwart erosion caused by external forces such as farming, forestry, transportation infrastructure, development and resource extraction.

“These habitat enhancements create overhead cover, hydraulic complexity, additional woody debris and scour holes for fish and other aquatic life, thus improving the overall habitat for aquatic life in the stream,” Williams said.

Conservancy staff are planning a tree planting to establish a riparian buffer along the creek. A date has not yet been scheduled. Volunteers will be needed for the event.