Solomon Creek Coldwater Conservation Plan Prepared by the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR) "Among the numerous streams that rush from the mountain into the bosom of the majestic Susquehanna, the beautiful cascade of Solomon's Creek is well calculated to gratify the ardent admirer of the works of Nature. Surrounded with dark hemlocks, the rocks stained with moss and partially covered with laurel and other evergreens, it forms one of the finest scenes for the pencil of the painter. Dashing, foaming and working its tempestuous way down the mountain's side, it here precipitates itself, in the most romantic and picturesque manner, over a ledge of rocks into a natural basin; from which, winding beneath overhanging rocks, it passes through a narrow, perpendicular fissure which runs in a rapid and winding course to the river." J. Cist, c. 1809 Educational Disclaimer The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR), its professional staff, and work performed by students, interns, and volunteers is to be used for educational and planning purposes only and makes no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the quality of any product produced. Sponsor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless EPCAMR against any claims arising of the Sponsor’s utilization, sale, or transfer of reports developed in whole or in part by EPCAMR, it’s professional staff, students, interns, and or volunteers. The Solomon Creek Coldwater Conservation Plan is to be used as a tool that will help to educate and build community consensus for the conservation of the coldwater stream. Acknowledgements EPCAMR would like to acknowledge the contribution of the following professionals, community organizations, State agencies, students, College and University interns, and EPCAMR Community Service volunteers. Their time, assistance, field experience, and expertise greatly assisted in the comprehensive development of the Solomon Creek Coldwater Heritage Conservation Plan. The EPCAMR Staff and Volunteers: Robert E. Hughes-Executive Director-EPCAMR Michael A. Hewitt-Program Manager-EPCAMR Justyna Sacharzewska & Kelsey Biondo- EPCAMR Watershed Education & Outreach Interns Sarah-Jane Gerstman-EPCAMR Watershed Education & Outreach Intern-Wilkes University Zachary Yodis & Dan Gilbert-EPCAMR Watershed Education & Outreach Interns- King’s College Maria Schmakov & John A. Karpien (EDSI, Inc.)- EPCAMR Community Service Volunteers Steve Konrad- Amateur Historian Volunteer Ed Mount Joy- Urban Explorer/Photographer/Volunteer Ryan Lawrence-King’s College EPCAMR Community Service Volunteer Bob Kent-avid Trout angler, EPCAMR volunteer and donor of an eTrex handheld GPS unit and fishing equipment and supplies to EPCAMR Ricky Ruggierio- Hazleton Area School District, Hazleton HS Student Volunteer Photographer-12th gr. I Paige Karpien- Wilkes-Barre Area School District, Plains Solomon Jr. High Student Volunteer-8th gr. Dawson A. Hughes-Greater Nanticoke Area School District, Elementary Center Student Volunteer-6th gr. Samantha Kutskel-PA Trout, Coldwater Heritage Partnership-Program Coordinator PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Foundation for PA Watersheds PA Council of Trout Unlimited Bud Cook-The Nature Conservancy Tom Venesky- Times Leader- Columnist Karen Gower-Bear Creek Nature Camp Bill Williams, Jerry Capral-PA Game Commission Amy Wolfe- Trout Unlimited-Eastern PA Abandoned Mine Program Shawn M. Rummel, Ph.D. - Field & Research Coordinator, Eastern Abandoned Mine PG, Trout Unlimited Melissa Tesauro – Intern, Eastern Abandoned Mine Program, Trout Unlimited Mark J. Boris-Borton & Lawson Engineering, Inc. John McGovern-Ashley Trout Stocking Assn. Robert Moase, Timothy Copeland, Ryan Myers, Mike Porta-PA Fish & Boat Commission Mike Dziak-Earth Conservancy-President &CEO; Jackie Dickman, Rick Ruggierio-Earth Conservancy Ray Clarke-Huber Breaker Preservation Society-Chairman of the Board & Treasurer Janet Sweeney-Pennsylvania Environmental Council-NE Regional Office-Project Manager Dale W. Freudenberger-Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor-Anthracite Region Coordinator Tom Clark-Susquehanna River Basin Commission-AMD Susquehanna River Basin-wide Coordinator Aaron Stredny-Luzerne Conservation District-Watershed Specialist Nicholas P. Lylo-PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources-Bureau of Forestry- Lackawanna Forest District-District Forester II Table of Contents Educational Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................... I Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................... I Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................... III List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... VII List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................ IX Chapter One: Introduction and Project Background ........................................................................1 Solomon Creek Cold Water Conservation Plan (CHP) Purpose ................................................................ 1 Coldwater Conservation Planning Grants ................................................................................................. 2 EPCAMR and the Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) ......................................................................... 6 Trout Waters Classifications ..................................................................................................................... 7 Approved Trout Waters ........................................................................................................................ 7 Class A Wild Trout Streams ................................................................................................................... 7 Special Regulation Areas ....................................................................................................................... 8 Stream Sections that Support Natural Reproduction of Trout ............................................................. 8 Wilderness Trout Streams ..................................................................................................................... 8 The PA Code: Title 25, Chapter 93: Drainage List K (Section 93.9k) Susquehanna River Basin ................ 9 EPCAMR Sampling & Monitoring Design for the Solomon Creek Coldwater Conservation Plan ........... 10 EPCAMR Community Planning Process ................................................................................................... 12 Chapter Two: Description of the Watershed ................................................................................. 14 Topography and Geology of the Northern Anthracite Coal Fields ......................................................... 14 Details on the PA State Game Lands #207 maintained by the PA Game Commission ........................... 17 Population in the Solomon Creek Watershed ........................................................................................ 25 Water Resources Background ................................................................................................................. 26 Pennsylvania Surface Water Quality Regulations ............................................................................... 27 Hydrologic Characteristics .................................................................................................................. 32 Impacts on Water Quality in the Solomon Creek Watershed ................................................................ 39 Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) and Reclamation ............................................................................... 39 Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) and Water Quality Impacts ......................................................... 62 Recent Assessments and Restoration Projects ................................................................................... 67 Cultural and Historical Character ............................................................................................................ 76 Historic Knox Mine Disaster and Changes to the PA Clean Streams Law of 1965 .............................. 81 III Historic Coal and Refuse Bank Production in the Region ................................................................... 83 The History of the Ashley Planes (1848-1948) .................................................................................... 83 The Huber Breaker Colliery ................................................................................................................. 86 The Vulcan Iron Works ........................................................................................................................ 88 Empire Silk Mill.................................................................................................................................... 92 Laurel Run Red Ash Mine Fire ............................................................................................................. 94 Stegmaier Brewing Company, Wilkes-Barre, PA ................................................................................. 96