As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has basic responsibilities for water, fish, wildlife, mineral, land, park and recreational resources. Indian and territorial affairs are other major concerns of America's. "Department of Natural Resources." The Department works to assure the wisest choice in managing all our resources so each will make its full contribution to a better United States now and in the future. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ROGERS C. B. MORTON, Secretary Bureau of Outdoor Recreation G. Dauila Hofe, Jr., Director lTnited States Department of the Interior OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240 In Reply Refer To: D4219-Clarion River Dear Mr. President: The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (82 Stat. 906) required that the 90-mile segment of the Clarion River from the Borough of Ridgway, Pennsylvania, to its confluence with the Allegheny River be studied for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The study was conducted by ~ field task force composed of representatives of the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (Chairman), National Park Service, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and ~ildlife and Bureau of Mines in the Department of the Interior; Forest Service, Department of Agriculture; Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army; Environmental Protection Agency; and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The task force has found that this segment of the Clarion River and its immediate environment do not meet the criteria for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The task force's findings can be summarized as follows: The 90-mile reach of the Clarion River examined is essentially free-flowing. The upper 53 miles of the study segment are completely free of impoundments and the waters flow smoothly with occasional gentle riffles. The next 12 miles are impounded in a narrow reservoir formed by Piney Dam near Clarion, Pennsylvania. The remaining 25 miles of the river are influenced by the production of hydroelectric power at this dam. During most years the vc1lume of water during the spring and early summer in the Clarion River permits enjoyment of water-related outdoor recreation activities generally associated with comparable rivers. However, during dry years, low flows become a major problem during the late surr.mer and early autumn recreation season. East Branch Dam, the only impoundment upstream from the study segment, is of insufficient influence to remedy low flow conditions. The 25 wiles downstream from Piney Dam have limited recreation value due to fluctuations in water volume caused by power releases. From the surface of the river, a portion of the study area shows little evidence of man's intrusion. The river and its immediate environment have a natural appearance and are generally pleasing to the eye. It flows through a narrow valley bordered by steep slopes covered with a mixture of softwood and hardwood trees. The river adjoins or passes through Cook 'forest State Park, Clear Creek State Park and Allegheny National Forest, which are areas possessing considerable natural beauty and becoming increasingly popular as scenic and recreational attractions. In other reaches, evidence of past timber exploitation and strip mining detracts from the scene. The riverbed is crossed at frequent intervals by oil and gaslines and occasional small highway bridges. Road and railroad embankments are visible at points along the upper two-thirds of the river and occasional settlements and industrial plants detract from the natural scene. The variety and extent of pollution in the Clarion, particularly acid mine drainage, severely Jimits recreation values. The Clarion does not meet the "Aesthetics - General Criteria" defined by the National Technical Advisory Committee on lfater Quality in the Federal Water Quality Administration's Water Quality Criteria, April 1, 1968, and its water quality does not meet the criteria for fish, other aquatic life and wildlife contained therein. In 1968, prior to enactment of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, preliminary studies to determine the natural resource values of the Clarion River Basin led to the conclusion that the values of the Clarion River and its immediate environment were sufficient to merit detailed study and possible protection when an acid mine drainage pollution abatement program is implemented. Pennsylvania has adopted more stringent water quality standards for the Clarion. When these standards are met, including a significant reduction in acid mine drainage, the Clarion would probably support propagation of those forms of life norrr.alJ.y adapted to the river. Flow conditions, offensive sights and smells, poor fishing and waters unsafe for water contact recreation, all combine to reduce the value cf the available recreation experience.on the Clarton Rjver. When viewed in its entirety, and in consideratjon of the overall poor water quality, it is our conclusion that the Clarion River and its immediate environment do not po$sess the outstandingly remarkable values required for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System at this tirrie. A notice to this effect will be published in the Federal Register in 8ccordance with section 7(b)(i) of the Act. Respectfully, The President The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 2 CLARION RIVER STUDY THE NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF OUTDOOR RECREATION MAY 1971 THIS STUDY REPORT INVOLVES MATTERS OF POLICY DETERMINATION YET TO BE MADE. IT SEEKS TO PRESENT CLEARLY THE RELEVANT FACTS AND OPTIONS AS AN AID TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN DEVELOPING A FINAL POLICY POSITION. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE I. Introduction. • . 5 II. Summary and Conclusion •• . 6 Free-flowing Condition. • • • • • • 6 Volume of Water. • • • • • 6 Aesthetic Character •••••••••.•••• 6 Water Quality •••••..•••.....•• 7 Recreation. • • • • • • • • • 7 Conclusion. • . • • . 8 III. Influence of Man. • 10 IV. The Area Today •. • 11 Topography. • • . • . • • . • . 11 Climate. 11 Forest Cover. • • • • • . • • • 11 Transportation •••••.•..•••..•. 11 Population. 12 Economy· · . .12 Public Lands. • . • • • . • • • . 12 V. The River Today· • • • . ..14 Characteristics· ..•• . .14 Water Resource Projects .. .14 Water Quality. • • • . .14 Scenic Values ••... .23 Recreation Values. · . .29 Maps & Tables Study Area . 4 Public Outdoor Recreation Areas ......• 13 Acid Mine Drainage. • .16 Water Quality Data •••..........•17 Photo Credits •..••••••••....• 32 1 2 CLAR\ON R\VER STUD'< AREA ~ ~ m11\!illilt\l!1111: JOHN~()NeuRG :·· ........ :rn;..'. ·· •• .• L. ,\\\\ :• • .-:::::::: o sT. M P.R'<S :1 .;:- cLAfuON JEf fE~soN -' .•:.)~{:{~. _,,,'" P\TTSBURGl-t• 9 Ml\..ES ---- \.EGENO 9 6 '3 0 .MATIOMAL fO~ES1 0 U.S. ROUTE ~STATE FOREST 0 STATE ROUTE c81srATE GA ..E L.ANDS ~ I. INTROWCTION This report was prepared under authority contained in Public Law 90-542, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which requires study of the Clarion River from Ridgway, Pennsylvania, to its confluence with the Allegheny River near Foxburg, Pennsylvania, to determine its suitability for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System. This 90-mile segment of the Clarion River Valley is within or bounded by Elk, Jefferson, Forest and Clarion Counties, which comprise the Study Area. The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation has led this study on behalf of the Department of the Interior. This report was prepared through the combined efforts of a field task force made up of the following representation: U. S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service U. S. Department of the Army U.S. Corps of Engineers U. S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Outdoor Recreation National Park Service Bureau of S::port Fisheries and Wildlife Bureau of Mines u. S. Environmental Protection Agency Water Quality Office* Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Governor's Designee The assistance of other agencies and individuals who contributed to this study is gratefully acknowledged. *Formerly Federal Water Quality Administration 5 II. SUMMARY AND CONCllJSION The 90 miles of the Clarion River from the Borough of Ridgway to its confluence with the Allegheny River has been evaluated in accordance with the requirements of the Wild end Scenic Rivers Act, Public Lew 90-542 and the general criteria contained in the "Guidelines for Evaluating Wild, Scenic and Recreational River Areas Proposed for Inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System .•• " published jointly by U. S. Department of the Interior end U.S. Department of Agriculture in February 1970. Free-flowing Condition The 90-mile reach of the Clarion River examined in this report is essentially free-flowing. The upper 53 miles of the. study segment are completely free of impoundments and the waters flow smoothly with occasional gentle riffles. The next 12 miles are impounded in a narrow reservoir formed by Piney Dem near Clarion, Pennsylvania. The remaining 25 miles of the river are influenced by the production of hydroelectric power at this dam. Volume of Water During most years the volume of water during the spring and early summer in the Clarion River permits enjoyment of water-related outdoor recreation activities generally associated with comparable rivers. However, during dry years, low flows become a major problem during the late summer and early autumn recreation season. East Branch Dem, the only impoundment upstream from the study segment, is of insufficient influence to remedy low flow conditions. The 25 miles downstream from Piney Dem have limited recreation value due to fluctuations in water volume caused by power releases. Aesthetic Character From the surface of the Clarion River, much of the study area shows little evidence of man's intrusion. The River and its immediate environment have a natural appearance and are generally pleasing to the eye. It flows through a narrow valley bordered by steep slopes covered with a mixture of softwood and hardwood trees. The river adjoins or passes through Cook Forest State Park, Clear Creek State Park and Allegheny National Forest, which are areas possessing considerable natural beauty and are becoming increasingly popular as scenic and recreational attractions. There is an abundance of deer in the area.