Pennsylvania

Angler researches lowering lakes from the bottom to cool waters and help trout survive

Published

1 year ago

March 19, 2024

Angler researches lowering lakes from the bottom to cool waters and help trout survive

An avid angler believes allowing more water to be released from the bottom of lakes will give coldwater fish like trout a better chance to survive the hot summer months.

“I would notice that Laurel Hill Creek would super heat in the really warm months of summer,” said John MacDonald, 66, of Rockwood, Somerset County.

“The trout would suffer horribly, many would die and the ones that didn’t, took refuge downstream and left the area.”

In the heat of the summer, MacDonald would wear snorkeling gear and swim down the creek looking for fish.

“I noticed they would hide in the deeper pools,” he said, “and I would find a cold water spring down there, that they were all huddled up against.”

Ongoing research

About five years ago, he approached Camp Soles, a nearby children’s camp, about opening their lake’s bottom drain pipe to release some of the colder water to see how that would impact the temperature of the water flowing downstream. The camp’s 18-acre lake flows into Lost Run and then into Laurel Hill Creek.

“We had to make sure that at all times that water flowed over the top for the health of the lake,” he said. “We had to find a blending point which let water over the top, but enough cold water off the bottom to bring (the temperature) down,” he said.

Let’s go fishing: A look at what you need to know to fish for trout this spring across Pennsylvania

He started measuring the temperature of the water at several locations, including in Lost Run before it reached the lake, in the lake itself and then several spots down stream.

During the heat of the summer, he said water coming into the lake would be below 70 degrees. The water flowing over the spillway would oftentimes be 80 degrees or more and the water below where the spillway and bottom pipe blend in Lost Run would be back down to below 70.

“We are able to get to the same temperature below the dam as it was coming into the lake,” he said “We were actually able to get to that same point, as though the dam wasn’t there,” he said.

Susan Fletcher, president of the Friends of Camp Soles board of directors, has been observing MacDonald’s efforts.

“It’s not only that the fish are more vigorous and survive better, but there’s something about what they feed on that has improved,” she said.

Fletcher said MacDonald is a friend of the camp and they appreciate his efforts.

“He’s clearly interested in the environment and when you have a summer camp, that’s what you want the kids to do, is to appreciate the natural world,” she said.

She said the dam was named Lake Tris for a descendant of the camp’s founders. She said there are online references to the waterway that have it also spelled as Lake Triss. “It’s hard to get that changed,” she said.

“One of the most popular things in recent years has been fishing,” she said about the campers enjoying the lake to catch catfish, bass and a variety of panfish.

“We love that John has taken an interest and is keeping (the lake) healthy. Because one of my favorite sayings is, when you tug at one thing in nature, you find it attached to the rest of the world.”

This year, MacDonald is continuing his research with recording temperatures and studying the ratio of water coming over the spillway with the water being released from the bottom of the lake. He also wants to measure water volume, too.

More: Pennsylvania fishing license fees to remain same in 2025 because of increased sales

“Once I establish the ratio of what is needed, other lakes with a spillway and bottom pipe, can experiment with how far to open the pipe each year,” he said about making it a simple process for people to mimic or at least try.

He said he’s not changing the amount of water being released, but blending the two sources of water discharge.

With the help of Camp Soles, he said the goal is to, “Someday find a very simple solution for these types of lakes to bring the water temperature down below 70, and protect our cold water heritage.”

MacDonald isn’t officially trained to study waterways, but said he’s an avid sportsman who wants to protect the fishery. He’s hoping his research can be used by state agencies and private lake owners “for the betterment of our cold-water heritage.”

State agency response

Lakes in Pennsylvania are managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Lauren Camarda, regional communications manager for the DEP, said, “A cold water, low-level discharge is not always required or beneficial, but many dams have been retrofitted with cold water releases over the years. While there could be benefits from discharging from the bottom, it could have the unintended consequence of releasing anoxic water (water with low levels of dissolved oxygen that fish need), sediment that can pollute the water downstream, or entrapping or impinging fish in the lake.”

If the lake has to retrofit its pipes on the bottom of a lake it can be cost prohibitive based on what is needed.

“Simply ‘cracking open’ the low-level valve is generally not a viable solution as high velocity flow could be detrimental to the valve and debris may lodge in the valve preventing it from being able to shut,” she said through an email. “If a dam owner wants to change normal operation of the pool level, a permit is required from DEP. DEP’s division of dam safety consults with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regarding situations where a cold-water release requirement may be warranted. Ultimately, this idea may have merit in certain situations but must be approached on a case specific-basis and in concert with DEP review to ensure that it is in fact beneficial for aquatic life downstream. DEP encourages dam owners that are interested in this to contact DEP to determine if it is something that could work for them.”

Mike Parker, communications director for the Fish and Boat Commission agreed that colder water may help trout survive the summer months, but referred questions about lowering lakes to achieve that to the DEP.

Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on this website’s homepage under your login name. Follow him on Facebook @whipkeyoutdoors, and Instagram at whipkeyoutdoors.

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Pennsylvania

Superhero Project in Pennsylvania helps families stay connected to babies in NICU

Published

6 hours ago

March 24, 2025

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Superhero Project in Pennsylvania helps families stay connected to babies in NICU – CBS Philadelphia

Watch CBS News

Thanks to the Superhero Project, families can have eyes on their babies in the neonatal intensive care unit at all times.

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Pennsylvania

Democrats expected to retain Pennsylvania House control after Tuesday’s special elections

Published

18 hours ago

March 24, 2025

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Democrats expected to retain Pennsylvania House control after Tuesday’s special elections

Peter Hall
| Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Two special elections will be held in Allegheny and Lancaster counties to fill vacancies in the Pennsylvania legislature.
The election for the 35th Legislative District seat will determine control of the state House.
The 36th Senate District seat is expected to remain in Republican control.

Voters in Allegheny and Lancaster counties will choose lawmakers Tuesday to fill two vacancies in the state legislature.

One will take the place of a state representative who died earlier this year and the other will replace a state senator who resigned to work for U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick.

The special election for the 35th Legislative District seat, previously held by Rep. Matthey Gergely, D-Allegheny, will determine control of the state House. Democrats held a one-seat majority in the chamber before Gergley died in January after suffering a medical emergency.

The 35th District, in the Monongahela River Valley south of Pittsburgh, includes the industrial cities of Clairton, Duquesne and McKeesport, and is favored to remain in Democratic control.

Republicans won a 28-22 majority in the Senate in November, so the election for the 36th Senate District seat formerly held by Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster, is less consequential. Covering a swath of northern Lancaster County including suburbs of the city of Lancaster and rural communities, the 36th District is favored to remain in Republican control. Aument left the Senate after his reelection last year to serve as McCormick’s state director.

Pennsylvania 35th House District candidates

Democrat Dan Goughnour is a member of the McKeesport Area School Board and captain of detectives in the McKeesport Police Department. Goughnour and his wife, Lauren, live in McKeesport and have three children. He lists public safety, access to job training, strengthening public schools and reducing costs for consumers as his priorities, according to his campaign website.
Republican Charles Davis is president of the White Oak borough council where he was first elected to office in 2003 and raised two daughters. Davis said on his campaign website that he plans to take his commitment to his community to the state level and lists developing local energy sources, protecting Pennsylvania industry, reducing crime and lowering taxes among his priorities.
Libertarian Adam Kitta of White Oak works as assistant director for the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services department. In that role, he has provided aid to victims of disaster and emergency personnel, according to the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. It has also provided experience coordinating with government agencies and other nonprofit organizations. His priorities are economic revitalization of the Mon Valley, increasing volunteerism and criminal justice reform.

Pennsylvania 36th Senate District Candidates

Democrat James Malone is mayor of East Petersburg and works as a senior development consultant for a business information technology firm. Malone says he is devoted to transparent, compassionate, inclusive and innovative government. His campaign website said his priorities are affordable housing, including support for first-time homeowners and property tax relief; public education; supporting first responders, and expanding social services and mental health support.
Republican Josh Parsons is the Lancaster County commissioners chairperson, a veteran U.S. Army officer and former assistant district attorney. Parson says on his website he’s a conservative who believes in small, efficient government and plans to bring his success in county government to the state level. He touts his defiance of state COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, Lancaster County’s economic recovery during the emergency and his leadership as an abortion opponent.
Libertarian Zachary Moore of Mount Joy is a geographic information system specialist with experience improving operations of utilities, planning, environmental resources, public safety and other government functions. He lists government transparency, accountability, fiscal responsibility and parental choice in education among his priorities, according to the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania.

Peter Hall has been a journalist in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 20 years, most recently covering criminal justice and legal affairs for The Morning Call in Allentown. Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

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Pennsylvania

Special REAL ID day being held across Pennsylvania: Here's when and where

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2025

Press Room

Special REAL ID day being held across Pennsylvania: Here's when and where

PENNSYLVANIA – If you live in Pennsylvania, and still haven’t gotten your REAL ID, here’s another chance!

What we know:

The federal enforcement deadline for REAL IDs is fast approaching with just a few months to go.

To give Pennsylvania residents more opportunities to get theirs, PennDOT is hosting a special REAL ID day across the state. Here’s everything you need to know:

When is REAL ID day?

The special events are being held on Monday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“REAL ID Days are held on Mondays when the centers are typically closed. During these events, centers will be exclusively processing REAL IDs to help Pennsylvanians obtain a REAL ID before the enforcement deadline.”

Where are they being held?

Pennsylvania residents can attend a REAL ID special event across the state at these locations:

Johnstown Driver License Center at 563 Walters Avenue, Johnstown
Huntingdon Driver License Center at 9048 William Penn Highway, Huntingdon
New Castle Driver License Center at 973 Old Youngstown Road, New Castle
Lehigh Valley Driver License Center at 1710 Hoover Avenue, Allentown
Whitman Plaza Driver License Center at 330 West Oregon Avenue, Philadelphia
Wellsboro Driver License Center at 40 Plaza Lane, Wellsboro

When is the REAL ID deadline?

The federal enforcement date for REAL IDs is May 7.

“Although a REAL ID or other TSA-acceptable form of ID will be needed to fly domestically beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians can apply for a REAL ID at any time – before, on or after the enforcement date – depending on their situation.”

The backstory:

Beginning May 7, a REAL ID or another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) will be required to:

Board domestic commercial flights.
Enter a military base.
Enter certain federal facilities that require a federally acceptable form of ID.

A passport will still be required for international travel.

What do you need to get your REAL ID?

Federal REAL ID regulations require that PennDOT must verify these documents:

Proof of Identity: examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport.
Proof of Social Security Number (proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security Number): examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub.
Two Proofs of Current, Physical PA Address: examples include a current, unexpired PA driver’s license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address.
Proof of all Legal Name Changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county’s family court.

How and when will I receive my REAL ID?

After presenting the proper documentation and paying the applicable fee, Pennsylvania residents may obtain a REAL ID-compliant product by:

Receiving the product in the mail within 15 days of an application being made at a Driver License Center.
Receiving the product over the counter, if application was made at one of PennDOT’s 15 REAL ID Centers.

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