Lake Erie Watershed (Pennsylvania) - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Lake Erie Watershed is a major drainage catchment in northwestern Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

, consisting of lands with direct runoff and sub-watersheds with waterways that flow into Lake Erie

Lake Erie

Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...

and Presque Isle Bay

Presque Isle Bay

Presque Isle Bay is a natural bay located off the coast of Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. Its embayment is about in length, about across at its widest point, and an average depth of about . The bay is bounded on the north and west by a recurved peninsula that makes up Presque Isle State Park...

from Crawford

Crawford County, Pennsylvania

Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 88,765.Crawford County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named for Colonel William Crawford...

and Erie

Erie County, Pennsylvania

Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 280,566. Its county seat is the City of Erie.- Geography :...

counties, as well as from New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

. The watershed is part of the Lake Erie Basin

Lake Erie Basin

Lake Erie Basin consists of Lake Erie and surrounding watersheds, which are typically named after the river, creek, or stream that provides drainage into the lake. The watersheds are located in the states of Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania in the United States, and in the...

Averill Creek Sub-watershed

Averill Creek is also called 41.5 Mile Run

Direct Runoff

Some Pennsylvania lands have surface runoff

Surface runoff

Surface runoff is the water flow that occurs when soil is infiltrated to full capacity and excess water from rain, meltwater, or other sources flows over the land. This is a major component of the water cycle. Runoff that occurs on surfaces before reaching a channel is also called a nonpoint source...

that drains directly into Lake Erie. 24 such stretches of land can be identified.

Erie International Airport

Erie International Airport

Erie International Airport / Tom Ridge Field is a public airport serving northwestern Pennsylvania and is located five miles southwest of the central business district of Erie, a city in Erie County. It features commercial service by regional airlines, connecting passengers to hubs in the...

is located in the largest of these direct runoff zones, west of the City of Erie, between Walnut Creek and Cascade Creek sub-watersheds. The airport's Master Plan includes a water quality section in its Environmental Baseline Study (Chapter 3, Section 3.07).

The master plan positions the airport in Lake Erie Watershed, 9000 feet (2,743.2 m) north of Walnut Creek Sub-watershed, 12000 feet (3,657.6 m) west of Cascade Creek Sub-watershed, and five miles (8 km) west of Mill Creek Sub-watershed, which is part of the Presque Isle Bay Watershed. The plan notes that Wilkins Run, a tributary (sic) that drains directly into Lake Erie, is situated 1000 feet (304.8 m) west of the airport.

Storm drainage is identified in the master plan as the main potential water pollution danger. Construction

Construction

In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...

and deicing

Deicing

For snow and ice control on roadways and similar facilities, see Snow removalDe-icing is defined as removal of snow, ice or frost from a surface...

operations require federal permits and extensive measures are taken to contain and process the runoff properly. A report detailing these measures is included at the end of the airport's master plan, entitled Airport Drainage Master Plan.

Duck Run Sub-watershed

Duck Run

Elk Creek Sub-watershed

This sub-watershed consists of Elk Creek

Elk Creek (Lake Erie)

Elk Creek is a tributary of Lake Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The creek is part of the Lake Erie Watershed and has a drainage basin of . Elk Creek is stocked with brown trout and steelhead by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.- Course :Elk Creek has its origins...

and surrounding lands, including the northeastern quarter of Elk Creek Township, the northern two-thirds of Franklin Township

Franklin Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania

Franklin Township is a township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2000 census, the township population was estimated at 1,609.-Geography:...

, and much of central Girard Township

Girard Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania

Girard Township is a township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,133 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...

in northwestern Erie County, Pennsylvania

Erie County, Pennsylvania

Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 280,566. Its county seat is the City of Erie.- Geography :...

.

Elk Creek is one of three western Erie County tributaries thought to be raising E. coli

Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms . Most E. coli strains are harmless, but some serotypes can cause serious food poisoning in humans, and are occasionally responsible for product recalls...

counts off Lake Erie

Lake Erie

beaches at nearby Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on an arching sandy peninsula that juts into Lake Erie, west of the city of Erie, in Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The peninsula sweeps northeastward, surrounding Presque Isle Bay along the park's...

Fourmile Creek Sub-watershed

Fourmile Creek Sub-watershed consists of the 11.93 square miles (30.9 km²) drainage of the eight mile (13 km) long Fourmile Creek

Fourmile Creek

Fourmile Creek is an long tributary of Lake Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It has a drainage basin of and is a part of the Lake Erie Watershed.- Course :...

. The creek's mouth opens to Lake Erie about one-half mile north of Pennsylvania Route 5

Pennsylvania Route 5

Pennsylvania Route 5 is a westward continuation of New York State Route 5 in Pennsylvania. It runs from North East, Pennsylvania at the New York-Pennsylvania border to near Erie, a total of . The highway is called the Purple Heart Highway and mostly called Lake Road...

at Water Street. It draws its name from its location four miles (6 km) east of Erie, Pennsylvania. The watershed consists of portions of Greene

Greene Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania

Greene Township is a township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,706 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...

, Harborcreek, and Lawrence Park

Lawrence Park, Pennsylvania

Lawrence Park Township is the only first class township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,048 at the 2000 Census, at which time it was also a census-designated place. The 2010 census counted a population of 3,982, for a decline of 1.6% during the decade.The township...

townships, as well as Wesleyville, Pennsylvania

Wesleyville, Pennsylvania

Wesleyville is a borough in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,617 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Erie Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Wesleyville is located at ....

. Fish migration improvement projects have included the destruction of two dams in 2007 and the planned construction of two fish ladders in 2008. Projects to stem sedimentation due to soil erosion are planned for 2008.

Godfrey Run Sub-watershed

Godfrey Run is also known as 11.5 Mile Run

McDannell Run Sub-watershed

This sub-watershed consists of McDannell Run and the surrounding lands of the City of Erie. The sub-watershed crosses slightly into Millcreek Township. The run passes through McClelland Park, an undeveloped city park on the eastern side of the city.

Orchard Beach Run Sub-watershed

Orchard Beach Run is also called 39.9 Mile Run.

Presque Isle Bay Watershed

This watershed, which covers 65 km², consists of lands in the City of Erie and two neighboring townships which surround three direct runoff zones, including Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle State Park

, and two sub-watersheds, which all feed into Presque Isle Bay

Presque Isle Bay

. At its eastern extreme, the bay has a small channel that drains into Lake Erie. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated this watershed a Great Lakes Area of Concern (AoC)

Great Lakes Areas of Concern

Great Lakes Areas of Concern are designated geographic areas within the Great Lakes Basin that show severe environmental degradation. There are a total of 43 areas of concern within the Great Lakes, 26 being in the U.S., 17 in Canada, with five shared by the two countries.The Great Lakes, the...

. The land is 80% urbanized, with storm water often diverted, causing degradation of fish habitat and other problems. An assessment of fishes published in Northeastern Naturalist magazine in 2004 found that at least half of the stream fish assemblages tested were impaired by urbanization. The city focused its attention on this watershed as part of its effort to convert Erie from heavy industry to light industry and tourism.

Cascade Creek Sub-watershed consists of Cascade Creek and surrounding lands in the City of Erie. The creek passes through Frontier Park on the northwestern side of the city. Cascade Street forms the eastern border of the sub-watershed. Nearby Gridley Park, in an adjacent direct runoff zone to the east, was named Cascade Park when the city was laid out in the late 18th century.
Garrison Run Sub-watershed consists of Garrison Run and surrounding lands in the City of Erie. The sub-watershed begins just across the border in Millcreek Township. At the city, the sub-watershed is situated east of the Mercyhurst College
Mercyhurst College
Mercyhurst College is a Catholic liberal arts college in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.-History:On September 20, 1926, Mercyhurst College opened its doors just a few blocks away from the city's southern boundary. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy of the Erie Diocese, who were led by Mother M. Borgia...

campus eastward to Davison Road, with Mill Creek Sub-watershed to the west and 26.9 Mile Run Sub-watershed to the east. At US 20 the sub-watershed narrows to the area between Ash Street and Parade Street, with Mill Creek Sub-watershed to the west and a direct runoff zone to the east. The sub-watershed is mostly land-locked at the north, with a single outlet cutting through the base of Presque Isle Peninsula's eastern stub and feeding into the bay. A spring in the sub-watershed was unearthed and diverted during construction in 2007 of the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home dementia and Alzheimer's unit at East 3rd Street between Ash Street and Reed Street.
Mill Creek Sub-watershed consists of Mill Creek
Mill Creek (Lake Erie)
The Mill Creek is a long tributary of Lake Erie in Erie County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It flows from Millcreek Township through the city of Erie, into Presque Isle Bay....

and surrounding lands in the City of Erie, Millcreek Township, Summit Township, and Greene Township. The creek passes through Glenwood Park, then enters a tube to pass under the city. When the creek passed along the surface through the city, it regularly caused seasonal flooding in Erie. In 1915, after a heavy storm, debris became wedged in a culvert, blocking a large amount of water upstream which, when released, caused a significant, destructive flood of downtown Erie. Residents called for flood controls, resulting in the construction of the Mill Creek Tube.

Purdue Creek Sub-watershed

Purdue Creek is also called 40.9 Mile Run.

Sixmile Creek Sub-watershed

Sixmile Creek

Trout Run Sub-watershed

This sub-watershed consists of Trout Run and surrounding lands of northwestern and south central Fairview Township

Fairview Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania

Fairview Township is a township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,140 at the 2000 census.-History:Fairview Township was settled in 1797. Fairview is one of the original 16 townships in Erie County...

. The sub-watershed is situated primarily north of I-90. The sub-watershed touches across the Fairview border into McKean and Girard Townships

Girard Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania

.

Trout Run is one of three western Erie County tributaries thought to be raising E. coli

Escherichia coli

counts off Lake Erie

Lake Erie

beaches at nearby Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle State Park

Walnut Creek Sub-watershed

This sub-watershed consists of Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek (Lake Erie)

Walnut Creek is a tributary of Lake Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It has a drainage basin of and is part of the Lake Erie Watershed....

and surrounding lands of the City of Erie

Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...

, Fairview Township

Fairview Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania

, Greene Township

Greene Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania

, McKean Township, Millcreek Township

Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania

Millcreek Township is a township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 53,515 at the 2010 census. It is the largest suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania and the sixth-largest municipality in the state; larger than the cities of Altoona and Harrisburg.Millcreek Township is home to...

, and Summit Township

Summit Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania

Summit Township is a township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,529 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 23.9 square miles , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were...

. Significant developments in this sub-watershed include Asbury Woods Community Park and Nature Center, Baldwin Business Park, Bush Industries

Bush Industries

Bush Industries, based in Jamestown, New York, United States, is one of the leading ready-to-assemble furniture companies in the U.S., with sales of around US$300 Million/yr...

, Erie Golf Club, Erie Memorial Gardens, Family First Sports Park, Kahkwa Club, Lakeview Landfill, Laurel Hill Cemetery, Millcreek Mall

Millcreek Mall

The Millcreek Mall or Millcreek Mall Complex is a one-level shopping center located 3.4 miles southwest of downtown Erie, Pennsylvania, between Peach Street and Interstate 79, in Millcreek Township...

, Orchard Ponds Golf Course, Presque Isle Downs

Presque Isle Downs

Presque Isle Downs and Casino is a casino and horse racing track complex located south of Erie, Pennsylvania. The owner, MTR Gaming Group, broke ground in October 2005 for its new facility, which opened on February 28, 2007. It contains 2,000 slot machines. The oval track opened on September 2,...

, and Upper Peach Street

Peach Street

Peach Street, part of U.S. Route 19, is a main artery serving downtown Erie, Pennsylvania. Once surrounded by nothing but rolling hills and farmland, "Upper Peach Street" , is the most significant center of urban sprawl in Erie and is now home to numerous strip plazas, a major shopping mall and...

.

A detailed report on the Walnut Creek watershed is available from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP).

The Lakeview Landfill is a PA DEP-permitted surface mining operation.

The inclusion of a race track at Presque Isle Downs and Casino will bring up to one thousand horses to fill ten barns on the grounds by summer 2008. The horses are expected to produce up to ten tons of manure and hay waste per day, which will be transported and sold. Fifteen acres of man-made wetlands have been situated in the center of the racetrack to deal with runoff issues that could impact the watershed.

Most sewage waste is processed at the Erie Wastewater Treatment Facility and released two miles (3 km) out in Lake Erie. There are 28 privately-owned waste treatment plants that release directly into the watershed.

There are three companies in the watershed with industrial stormwater release permits from PA DEP.

Walnut Creek is one of three western Erie County tributaries thought to be raising E. coli

Escherichia coli

counts off Lake Erie

Lake Erie

beaches at nearby Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle State Park

Maps

Programs

Historical

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