Sustainability

Description: Pymatuning is the largest manmade lake in Pennsylvania, consisting of 17,088 acres of open water. The area where Pymatuning Lake now exists was a large wetland before it was dammed. The idea to dam Pymatuning was spurred by a severe flood in 1913, which lead Congress to sign the Pymatuning Act. August 17, 1934, marked the completion of the dam that was dedicated by the former Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot, a famous conservationist who founded the U.S. Forest Service. Pymatuning is now a popular place for sailing and fishing.

Environmental Issue: Before glaciers made their way across Pennsylvania, the Pymatuning area was a natural lake. Glaciers passed through and altered the topography, leaving behind a wetland ecosystem. Later, the area was dammed to conserve waters entering the Pymatuning Swamp and to control flooding.

Damming waters is a major cause in the loss of wetlands. Wetlands are special ecosystems, defined by particular soils, water conditions, and plant species. They also act as filters for sediments and help to improve water quality. Wetlands support a great diversity of life, providing critical habitat for these creatures. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that one-third of all endangered species spend part of their lives in wetlands and nearly half of all original wetlands in the U.S. have been drained, filled, polluted, or degraded. By providing hydro-electricity and controlling floods, while offering a place for recreation, dams have many positive results. But these benefits come at a cost, a price that sometimes outweighs these benefits. Negative effects of dams include a loss of habitat for many wetland and river animals, as well as changes in the biology and chemistry of waterway.

Conneaut Lake

Description: Conneaut Lake is Pennsylvania's largest natural lake at 934 acres and 68 feet deep. It is also the best known and most developed of the regional glacial lakes. Conneaut means "place of lingering snow" in the Iroquois language. This spring-fed lake is noted for fishing, camping, boating, and swimming. Boat access to the lake is easy through several modern marina facilities or at the Pennsylvania Fish Commission public launch. There are two public beaches where you can soak up the sun!

The wetlands, farm fields, and forests surrounding the lake provide unique habitats for wildlife. On a trip to Conneaut Lake, you may see deer, raccoons, blue herons, songbirds, and even witness an occasional bald eagle. There are at least four types of turtles in the area and many fish. Fisherman can expect to catch walleye, bass, crappie, muskellunge and northern pike here. In fact, Conneaut Lake still holds the state record for the largest Muskie, caught in 1924, weighing in at 54 pounds 3 ounces.

Environmental Issue: The town of Conneaut Lake began as Evansburg in 1796. During this time thick woods and no roads made water the best route for travel. The Allegheny River, French Creek, the Monongahela River, the Ohio River, Beaver River and later the Erie Canal were busy thoroughfares during the settlement of the region. In the late 1820s, the water level was actually raised about 10 feet higher than it is today to provide water for the canal. Raising the water increased the lake's size greatly to the west and north and formed large bays along the east side of Conneaut Lake. In the 1860s, railroads arrived in the area and steamboats started floating on the lake. The area became a popular resort and cottages, homes, restaurants and motels surround the lake today. The wetlands that once bordered the lake were dredged and filled to provide lakefront property and channels for boats. In years past, excess nutrients from wastewater and agriculture entered the lake, which caused the rapid growth of aquatic vegetation. As the plants die, bacteria decompose the organic material and deplete the water of oxygen, a condition called anoxia. Without a source of oxygen, many sensitive fish and invertebrates cannot survive. After the plants decompose, the nutrients remain in the lake sediments for decades, continuing to cause anoxic conditions each year. Herbicides are used to kill the plants due to pressure from boaters and swimmers that desire weed-free water for recreation. A mechanical weed harvester is now used to collect the weeds. Local residents are seeking means to control the weeds without the use of chemical herbicides, and restore the health of the lake.

Woodcock Creek Lake

Description: Woodcock Creek Lake lies among the rolling hills of rural Crawford County and was formed from a manmade dam. The dam is nearly a mile in length, is paved, and is a popular place to run, walk, and rollerblade. Nearby is the Bossard Nature Trail, where visitors can take a self-guided walk on the easily accessible 1,000 feet of paved trail. At the head of the nature trail is Woodcock's Visitor Information Center, where there is a variety of displays and interpretative programs. Woodcock Creek Lake is popular for fishing and boating. Also nearby is Colonel Crawford Park where lakeside camping is available.

Environmental Issue: Woodcock Creek Lake was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1936 and has been in full operation since February 1974. This reservoir is part of the flood control system operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for French Creek, Allegheny River, and upper Ohio River. The lake is full (1180-foot elevation) during the summer months and is lowered about 15 feet during the winter. This elevation is held until early March when the lake is gradually refilled. The purpose of this project includes flood control, low-flow augmentation for water quality, fish and wildlife enhancement, and recreation.

The construction of dams for flood control and hydroelectric and mechanical power is common in the United States. Woodcock Creek Dam is quite large compared to the estimated 75,000 small and abandoned dams that block America's creeks and rivers. Many dams, built for mechanical energy before the advent of fossil fuels, now only serve to disrupt the ecology of streams. The water held in the impoundment is warmer and less oxygenated than upstream sections. Dams also collect sediment and organic debris as the water velocity slows and particles fall out of suspension. The natural flow regime of the river is also upset as flood control dams regulate flow out of the dam. Lastly, dams present a physical barrier for the migration of fish and other wildlife. Many conservation organizations, such as Trout Unlimited and American Rivers have begun to remove abandoned dams as a cost effective and simple solution for the restoration of impacted waterways.

Description: Canadohta Lake is the second largest natural lake in Pennsylvania at 168 acres. It was named Washington Lake in 1798, changed to Oil Creek Lake in 1860, and then Canadohta Lake in 1894. By the early 1900s it was a popular resort area. Today it is known as a location for quiet fishing and boating. Lodging and camping are available nearby.

Environmental Issue: Zebra mussels were discovered in Canadohta Lake in 2001. Zebra mussels were first found in Edinboro Lake indicating that they had crossed the Lake Erie boundary, marking the second discovery of zebra mussels crossing the boarder.

Zebra mussels, native to the Caspian Sea, are an example of an exotic species that have invaded aquatic habitats. They arrived in 1988 from the ballast tank of a European tanker in the Great Lakes. Within two years, mussels had reached densities of 7,500 individuals per square foot in parts of Lake Erie, choking out the native mussel species in the process. Zebra mussels cause enormous economic damage to fisheries, dams, power plants, water treatment facilities, and boats and also devastate aquatic communities they encounter.

Exotic species, such as the zebra mussel, invade and dominate native species easily because no natural predators or parasites control their population. Freshwater mussels are a highly endangered group in the United Stated and zebra mussels smother them by attaching to their shells.

There is much development around Canadohta Lake, but despite this, the lake has shown improved water quality. This glacial lake has recovered from pollution caused by untreated sewage and is today crystal clear and filled with many types of endangered and threatened species.