JONATHAN RUN
The purpose of this project was to determine the causes and potential cures of pollution to Jonathan Run, a tributary of Beech Creek in Centre County, PA. This project was sponsored by the Beech Creek Watershed Association and funded by the Growing Greener Program.
Prior to the construction of I-80 in the study area, Jonathan Run was a native trout fishery. However, shortly after the interstate was constructed, the stream experienced a fish kill and has not supported aquatic life since that time.
This project determined that the primary source of contamination was due to the acidic sandstone fill that was placed across the stream valley to support the interstate. Other less damaging sources of pollution originated south of the interstate, where acidic fill was placed to support construction activities.
Reclamation was performed south of the interstate to reconstruct the stream channel and vegetate a large pile of excess fill material. This work improved the condition of the stream in the area, but as the stream flowed north under the interstate, it was again devastated by the discharges from the interstate embankment.
The final deliverable of this project was the restoration plan for the stream, which proposes several options for returning Jonathan Run to a viable condition. This project was completed during June 2003.
The above photo was taken looking from the west to the east across the Jonathan Run stream channel during the construction of I-80. The stream originated in the south (right) and flowed north (left). The wetland area on the right was filled with approximately 6 feet of fill to form a staging/construction area. The 4 lanes of I-80 currently cross from top to bottom through the center of the photo. The lanes rest on a fill embankment that is 80' high (above the stream elevation).
