Meet Conemaugh Valley Conservancy

Restoration & Recreation

A reddish-brown oak leaf gently tumbles down from its perch high above and lands gracefully in the Stonycreek River below. Nestled and ready for a ride, the river currents will slowly carry it north, winding through the Somerset County countryside and visiting distraught sections of Johnstown before meeting up with the Conemaugh River near Washington Street. It will be joined by many other leaves along the way, including those from trees towering over the river from the hillside along the Johnstown Inclined Plane.

Several years ago, the Stonycreek River would have been tainted from acid mine run-off and the oak leaf’s color may have been indecipherable from the water below. This eyesore was accompanied with a smell produced by sulfur that challenged raw eggs for a top spot in worst odors known to man. For many years, the immediate area, including Somerset County, had been a haven for the blue collar mining industry. Inexperienced to the environmental consequences until the 1970s, these older, legacy mines became responsible for producing the acid mine run-off that pollutes our rivers today.

When sulfide minerals from mining are exposed to water and air, they react to create sulfuric acid. From there, this acid dissolves metals from surrounding rock that then bleeds into the watershed. Creating toxicity and dismantling the ecosystem, this acid mine drainage will continue for hundreds or even thousands of years. The solution is to build reclamation systems that prevents these dissolved metals from flowing into our waterways.

In 1994, Conemaugh Valley Conservancy (CVC) began its mission to monitor and restore watersheds, as well as create and support outdoor recreation in the area. The Stream Team exclusively monitors 45 Acid Mine Discharge sites and manages over 260 sampling area. Thanks to their efforts and the partnerships with both government and other non-profit organizations, they have been able to build many reclamation projects and restore the ecosystem in the local water system.

By the time the oak leaf has a chance to make it to the Mississippi River, given it does not get caught or decompose, CVC will have completed Phase 2 of its Upper Basin Project. This includes an ADA compliant walkway from the Inclined Plane to the water’s edge below. There are also plans to build a boat ramp for kayaks and similar watercraft at this location, and this access point connects to the vast trail system on the hillside. When you choose to support Conemaugh Valley Conservancy during the Subaru Share the Love Event, these projects become possible, and the restoration of our city can continue.