The Upper Susquehanna River watershed (PA) has experienced a rapid increase in unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development since it is part of the Marcellus shale formation. It is also part of the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay, which is the focus of considerable conservation and restoration activities by federal and state agencies under the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Brook trout are of significant economic and cultural importance in this region, and require high quality, cold-water habitats to persist throughout the watershed,
Here is an important research paper that shows USGS’s approach to try and create an unbiased high level scientific methodology for evaluating impacts on populations of brook trout in the northern PA study area. This paper, though largely empirical, but when calibrated with more future field studies and stream monitoring and assessment over more varying weather conditions, could be a useful tool in helping our agencies develop strategies to protect wild brook trout.
Click here to be taken to the paper
Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited 