The Susquehanna River Basin Commission this week released its findings from a comprehensive stream assessment of Morrison Cove Valley streams, Blair and Bedford counties. Overall, stream habitat and biology were in very good condition.

The valley is a 186-square-mile area located in Bedford and Blair Counties in the Juniata River Subbasin. Water quality ranked lower due to high nitrate levels in much of the valley from agricultural operations - the leading land use (55 percent). Sodium levels also were elevated in the central-west portion of the valley, possibly from highway runoff and a quarry operation.

SRBC collected and analyzed data from Morrison Cove Valley and summarized its findings in the report Juniata River Subbasin Small Watershed Study: Morrison Cove - A Water Quality and Biological Assessment, April 2005 - February 2006.

This report represents the second of a two-phase study of the Juniata watershed and is referred to as the Year-2 report. It covers the subbwatersheds located entirely or partially in Morrison Cove, including Halter, Clover, Piney and Yellow Creek watersheds.

SRBC selected Morrison Cove for the Year-2 report in part because the valley's largest population center, Roaring Spring, is one of eight areas in the Susquehanna basin currently identified by SRBC as a groundwater potentially stressed area (PSA). A PSA is an area where existing or projected withdrawals or consumptive uses are anticipated to exceed long-term sustainability of the groundwater resource or cause conflicts among users.

Paul Swartz, SRBC Executive Director said, "During times of drought, the community of Roaring Spring is at risk of surface and groundwater shortages, as domestic and industrial water needs are nearly equal to the area's recharge capacity. Given the heavy reliance on groundwater, we are concerned that virtually all the flow from the large spring in Roaring Spring is consumed during droughts."

Swartz said, "These are not ideal water resource conditions for any community. Water shortages are not only a concern regarding supplies, but also the impact on water quality. Raising awareness of the area's water resources will hopefully help policy makers, water managers and the citizens of Roaring Spring make informed management decisions."

With regard to the valley's overall water quality conditions, they ranged from "higher" to "poor" with the majority being in the "middle" quality range. Of the samples taken for the Year-2 report, the best water quality was found in middle reaches of Halter Creek and the unnamed tributary flowing into Plum Creek.

The most impacted streams included Plum Creek and the headwaters of Halter Creek. Of those and other impacted streams in Morrison Cove Valley, the parameters that exceeded levels of concern most often were nitrate (80 percent), sodium (12 percent), conductivity (4 percent), alkalinity (3 percent) and chlorine (1 percent).

Excess nitrates in ground and surface water adversely impact the environment by increasing algal growth, depleting oxygen levels and diminishing aquatic life. Agricultural and lawn fertilizers, animal manure and malfunctioning on-lot septic systems are all potential sources of nitrate in Morrison Cove.

Elevated levels in drinking water supplies also can pose human health risks, especially to children and pregnant women. The Martinsburg area in Blair County is currently facing elevated levels in its local groundwater system.

SRBC has been conducting water quality and biological studies of the six major subbasins (West Branch Susquehanna Subbasin, Middle Susquehanna Subbasin, Lower Susquehanna Subbasin, Juniata Subbasin, Upper Susquehanna Subbasin and Chemung Subbasin) on a rotating basis since the mid-1980s. In addition to studying the entire subbasins, in 1999 SRBC began conducting companion Year-2 studies in each basin. The Year-2 studies focus on smaller watersheds.

"The Year-2 phase allows the Commission to study particular smaller watersheds in much greater detail and draw attention to them. We select watersheds either because they are areas of concern and would benefit from restoration and management activities, like the Morrison Cove Valley, or they may be pristine watersheds that should be protected for future generations," said Swartz.

The 16-page Year-2 report will be posted online.

For more information or a hard copy of the report, contact Ava Stoops, SRBC at 717-238-0423, ext. 302 or by e-mail to srbc@srbc.net.

10/7/2006