 |
|
Biologists from the Area 8 Fisheries Management Office in Somerset surveyed 21 unassessed waters in the Loyalhanna Creek and Conemaugh River basins in Westmoreland and Indiana counties in summer of 2010. The surveys were conducted as part of a statewide effort to document wild trout populations in unsampled streams in areas facing pressure from human encroachment or mineral extraction. Further details on the process can be found at these links (Area 7 unassessed streams or Area 8 unassessed streams).
Sampling was conducted during June and July 2010 using backpack electrofishing gear. Table 1 below lists the streams surveyed and whether or not the presence of wild trout was documented.
Table 1. Unassessed streams in the Loyalhanna and Conemaugh River basins surveyed during the summer of 2010.
| Basin | Stream Name | Latitude/Longitude of Mouth | Wild Trout Documented |
| Loyalhanna Creek | Dark Hollow | 40 17 31 / 79 15 08 | No |
| Loyalhanna Creek | Clark Hollow | 40 15 40 / 79 16 35 | No |
| Loyalhanna Creek | St Clair Hollow | 40 17 11 / 79 19 14 | Yes |
| Loyalhanna Creek | Campbelle Run | 40 12 06 / 79 19 45 | No |
| Loyalhanna Creek | Miller Run | 40 17 30 / 79 20 27 | No |
| Loyalhanna Creek | UNT to Fourmile Run (RM 9.64) | 40 11 11 / 79 21 44 | No |
| Loyalhanna Creek | UNT to Fourmile Run (RM 5.55) | 40 12 46 / 79 19 17 | No |
| Loyalhanna Creek | UNT to Fourmile Run (RM 2.33) | 40 14 05 / 79 17 47 | No |
| Loyalhanna Creek | UNT to Ninemile Run (RM 3.55) | 40 15 08 / 79 23 25 | No |
| Loyalhanna Creek | UNT to UNT to Ninemile Run (RM 1.39) | 40 14 14 / 79 24 00 | No |
| Conemaugh River | Shirey Run | 40 23 17 / 79 15 28 | Yes |
| Conemaugh River | Harbridge Run | 40 23 32 / 79 15 25 | No |
| Conemaugh River | Sugar Run | 41 37 39 / 76 37 27 | Yes |
| Conemaugh River | Big Spring Run | 40 24 10 / 79 01 53 | Yes |
| Conemaugh River | UNT to UNT to Big Spring Run | 40 24 02 / 79 01 18 | No |
| Conemaugh River | Poplar Run | 40 22 07 / 79 03 37 | Yes |
| Conemaugh River | UNT to Conemaugh River (RM 40.83) | 40 23 60 / 79 01 58 | Yes |
| Conemaugh River | Dyke Hollow | 40 21 57 / 79 10 57 | No |
| Conemaugh River | Freeman Run | 40 23 30 / 79 09 20 | Yes |
| Conemaugh River | UNT to McGee Run (RM 5.75) | 40 21 37 / 79 16 59 | Yes |
| Conemaugh River | East Branch Richards Run | 40 24 58 / 79 06 53 | No |
Of the 21 streams surveyed, eight streams were documented as supporting wild trout. Many of the streams surveyed do not support fishable wild trout populations, but possess water quality and habitat suitable for wild trout reproduction. However, some of the streams supported substantial populations and contained abundant access for fisherman on public lands.
Native brook trout from a Conemaugh River tributary
Sampling an unassessed water in the Laurel Highlands
Biologist Reports -- PFBC Home
