A large amount of flooding this year has the Ohio River Sweep coordinators asking for more than 18,000 volunteers to pick up trash June 18.
The annual effort to clean up the banks of the Ohio draws a number of community groups and individuals each year, says Lisa Cochran of Cincinnati’s Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission. ORSANCO oversees the cleanup.
Cochran says her group tries to get a crew to every county that borders the Ohio, from its origin in Pittsburgh to its confluence with the Mississippi in Illinois.
She says representatives from many counties report more visible trash than usual, probably due to the high flood levels. Last year, the Ohio River Sweep picked up about 7,000 pounds of trash from the riverbank, with normal debris ranging from aluminum cans to tires.
Cochran says volunteers are given a trash bag and gloves for the cleanup, along with a free T-shirt afterwards.
Interested parties should contact ORSANCO at (800) 359-3977 or at its website.
Showing posts with label rivers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rivers. Show all posts
Monday, June 13, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
New Three Rivers Water Trail Map Published
Where can I easily put my canoe in the water? Where can I find a bathroom while I kayak? How much farther? Those are questions that the newest Three Rivers Water Trail Map from Friends of the Riverfront should be able to answer.
Friends of the Riverfront released the map in paper form last week and posted a PDF version of the map on line Tuesday. Board member Judy Melvin says there is information on the map for anyone who wants to get on the rivers in a non-motorized watercraft. “From a sightseeing perspective, a commuting perspective or an exploratory history way,” says Melvin. Among the historic highlights on the map are Sycamore Island, Carrie Furnace and the Hot Metal Bridge.
Each beach, ramp or dock access point from 12 miles down the Ohio to 16 and 21 miles up the Mon and Allegheny respectively is marked on the map. “Who has bathrooms, who has parking, ADA accessible, storage racks, picnics?” says Melvin. The map also contains tips for good trips and for safe boating.
The free maps can be picked up at the Friends of the Riverfront office in the terminal building. Melvin says they will also have them at several events this summer including this weekend’s Venture Outdoors Fest. You can also down load the map from the Friends of the Riverfront website.
Kayaking and canoeing the rivers in and around Pittsburgh has been growing in popularity in recent years. Watercraft can now be rented along the rivers and the price of an entry-level watercraft has been slowly dropping. “Its become very easy to do whether you want to do an hour or a whole afternoon or spend a weekend doing it, it has become a very accessible sport,” says Melvin.
Friends of the Riverfront released the map in paper form last week and posted a PDF version of the map on line Tuesday. Board member Judy Melvin says there is information on the map for anyone who wants to get on the rivers in a non-motorized watercraft. “From a sightseeing perspective, a commuting perspective or an exploratory history way,” says Melvin. Among the historic highlights on the map are Sycamore Island, Carrie Furnace and the Hot Metal Bridge.
Each beach, ramp or dock access point from 12 miles down the Ohio to 16 and 21 miles up the Mon and Allegheny respectively is marked on the map. “Who has bathrooms, who has parking, ADA accessible, storage racks, picnics?” says Melvin. The map also contains tips for good trips and for safe boating.
The free maps can be picked up at the Friends of the Riverfront office in the terminal building. Melvin says they will also have them at several events this summer including this weekend’s Venture Outdoors Fest. You can also down load the map from the Friends of the Riverfront website.
Kayaking and canoeing the rivers in and around Pittsburgh has been growing in popularity in recent years. Watercraft can now be rented along the rivers and the price of an entry-level watercraft has been slowly dropping. “Its become very easy to do whether you want to do an hour or a whole afternoon or spend a weekend doing it, it has become a very accessible sport,” says Melvin.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Susquehanna At Risk?
A national report on the country’s “most endangered rivers” ranks the Susquehanna number one.
Jeff Schmidt of Pennsylvania’s Sierra Club said that’s due to natural gas drilling along the state’s northern tier. “The American Rivers [who publishes the annual report] recognize – and Sierra Club recognizes – there are other problems related to water quality in the Susquehanna. But those problems pale in significance, compared to the over-arching threat represented by Marcellus Shale drilling throughout the basin,” he said. Schmidt and other environmentalists are worried chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing could migrate into the Susquehanna’s waterways, along with methane gas.
Here’s American Rivers’ full take on the Susquehanna: “One of the longest rivers in America, the Susquehanna River provides drinking water to millions of people and supplies more than half of the freshwater to the Chesapeake Bay. But the river and its clean water are threatened by natural gas development, which produces toxic waste and requires millions of gallons of water. Unless Pennsylvania, New York, and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announce a complete moratorium on water withdrawals and hydraulic fracturing and comprehensive safeguards for clean water are enforced, drinking water and public health will be at risk.”
With hundreds of wells already under production in counties surrounding the Susquehanna, a moratorium is politically unlikely at this point – especially since Republican Governor Tom Corbett is committed to growing Pennsylvania’s gas industry. (In speech after speech, Corbett says he’s equally committed to protecting the environment and drinking water. His Marcellus Shale Commission will provide both regulatory and economic policy suggestions this summer.)
Not surprisingly, the drilling industry is skeptical of the new report. Kathryn Klaber, the president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, emailed, “Despite the fact that the livelihoods of nearly 25,000 Gulf Coast residents are now hanging in the balance as the Mississippi River continues to swell at unthinkable rates, this organization – which ironically claims to stand ‘up for healthy rivers so communities can thrive’ – is seeking nothing more than to undercut the responsible development of clean burning, job-creating natural gas.”
She continued, “We’re very proud of the fact that our industry’s work is allowing communities across the Commonwealth to once again thrive. Our work can and must be balanced with the protection of our environment, especially our water resources. It’s very sad and predictable, however, that some organizations will stop at nothing, disregarding facts and science at every turn, to thwart American energy production.”
Last year’s report listed the Delaware River as its top endangered waterway. The 2010 survey was released shortly before the Delaware River Basin Commission expanded a temporary moratorium on drilling in its region, as the governing body debates new regulations. “Since the Susquehanna doesn’t have a similar effort underway, and it’s got the majority of gas drilling in its basin, in Pennsylvania, I’m not surprised by [the Susquehanna’s rank],” said Schmidt.
This year’s report says Wyoming’s Hoback River is also threatened by natural gas drilling.
Jeff Schmidt of Pennsylvania’s Sierra Club said that’s due to natural gas drilling along the state’s northern tier. “The American Rivers [who publishes the annual report] recognize – and Sierra Club recognizes – there are other problems related to water quality in the Susquehanna. But those problems pale in significance, compared to the over-arching threat represented by Marcellus Shale drilling throughout the basin,” he said. Schmidt and other environmentalists are worried chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing could migrate into the Susquehanna’s waterways, along with methane gas.
Here’s American Rivers’ full take on the Susquehanna: “One of the longest rivers in America, the Susquehanna River provides drinking water to millions of people and supplies more than half of the freshwater to the Chesapeake Bay. But the river and its clean water are threatened by natural gas development, which produces toxic waste and requires millions of gallons of water. Unless Pennsylvania, New York, and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announce a complete moratorium on water withdrawals and hydraulic fracturing and comprehensive safeguards for clean water are enforced, drinking water and public health will be at risk.”
With hundreds of wells already under production in counties surrounding the Susquehanna, a moratorium is politically unlikely at this point – especially since Republican Governor Tom Corbett is committed to growing Pennsylvania’s gas industry. (In speech after speech, Corbett says he’s equally committed to protecting the environment and drinking water. His Marcellus Shale Commission will provide both regulatory and economic policy suggestions this summer.)
Not surprisingly, the drilling industry is skeptical of the new report. Kathryn Klaber, the president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, emailed, “Despite the fact that the livelihoods of nearly 25,000 Gulf Coast residents are now hanging in the balance as the Mississippi River continues to swell at unthinkable rates, this organization – which ironically claims to stand ‘up for healthy rivers so communities can thrive’ – is seeking nothing more than to undercut the responsible development of clean burning, job-creating natural gas.”
She continued, “We’re very proud of the fact that our industry’s work is allowing communities across the Commonwealth to once again thrive. Our work can and must be balanced with the protection of our environment, especially our water resources. It’s very sad and predictable, however, that some organizations will stop at nothing, disregarding facts and science at every turn, to thwart American energy production.”
Last year’s report listed the Delaware River as its top endangered waterway. The 2010 survey was released shortly before the Delaware River Basin Commission expanded a temporary moratorium on drilling in its region, as the governing body debates new regulations. “Since the Susquehanna doesn’t have a similar effort underway, and it’s got the majority of gas drilling in its basin, in Pennsylvania, I’m not surprised by [the Susquehanna’s rank],” said Schmidt.
This year’s report says Wyoming’s Hoback River is also threatened by natural gas drilling.
Monday, May 16, 2011
County CSO Alerts Begin Today
The Allegheny County Health Department issued the year's first combined sewer overflow alert today.
The Health Department advises those who have weakened immune systems or open wounds to avoid contact with waterways during these alerts, due to a higher risk of infection.
ACHD spokesman Dave Zazac says the CSO alert doesn't mean people have to cancel their river outings, but they should be aware of the high level of sewage and rainwater that has flowed into the area's rivers and streams.
Zazac says a CSO alert is common during extensively rainy weather, like what the region has experienced over the past week. He says it results from sewage system overflow that spills into waterways.
"If the very largest sewage treatment plant, which is our ALCOSAN plant, is in what we call 'bypass,' or in CSO, then there's a good chance that other, smaller sewage treatment plants along the rivers are also discharging their sewage into rivers and streams," says Zazac.
Marinas, docks, and other riverside sites will fly orange flags with the letters "CSO" on alert days. There are 30 such sites in the county: 16 on the Allegheny River, seven on the Monongahela River, six on the Ohio River, and two on the Youghiogheny River.
Zazac says it's common for the alerts to last several days. There were nine combined sewer overflow alerts in 2010.
The Health Department advises those who have weakened immune systems or open wounds to avoid contact with waterways during these alerts, due to a higher risk of infection.
ACHD spokesman Dave Zazac says the CSO alert doesn't mean people have to cancel their river outings, but they should be aware of the high level of sewage and rainwater that has flowed into the area's rivers and streams.
Zazac says a CSO alert is common during extensively rainy weather, like what the region has experienced over the past week. He says it results from sewage system overflow that spills into waterways.
"If the very largest sewage treatment plant, which is our ALCOSAN plant, is in what we call 'bypass,' or in CSO, then there's a good chance that other, smaller sewage treatment plants along the rivers are also discharging their sewage into rivers and streams," says Zazac.
Marinas, docks, and other riverside sites will fly orange flags with the letters "CSO" on alert days. There are 30 such sites in the county: 16 on the Allegheny River, seven on the Monongahela River, six on the Ohio River, and two on the Youghiogheny River.
Zazac says it's common for the alerts to last several days. There were nine combined sewer overflow alerts in 2010.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
New Plaza Links Up Riverfront Trails
The Sports and Exhibition Authority opened a large plaza on the Allegheny riverfront today, connecting Point State Park and the Strip District along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. The 3,000-square-foot plaza is expected to be used as a public green space, a mooring site for boats, and a gathering area for city events. The David Lawrence Convention Center walkway leads directly to the plaza, which looks out onto other developments on the opposing riverbank.
But Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato says the plaza does more than just link the Strip District riverfront trail to Point State Park. Onorato says projects like this increase quality of life and spur private investment. “We figured out years ago that we had a chance to take back these waterfronts, and make them recreational waterfronts, and get people to enjoy a great asset that, for a hundred years, was really just the industrial backdoor of this region,” says Onorato. “Now it’s the front door of this region, and we’re using it to drive the economy here.”
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says the $9.5 million plaza is an important piece of the city’s Allegheny Riverfront Master Plan as well. That initiative is meant to cultivate private investment along the banks of the Allegheny, from Highland Park to the Point.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Stuck Barge Carrying Flammable Coal Oil
About 1,100 students of the Sto-Rox School District were evacuated by police because of one of the barges stuck at the train bridge near Neville Island is carrying flammable coal tar oil with the chemical benzene.
U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Alanna McGovern says the current on the Ohio River broke some of the wires connecting the barges to a towing vessel this morning. "the current then took the four barges down to the back channel of Neville Island when they came to rest on the railroad bridge."
Of the three other barges that broke loose this morning, one carrying steel coils sank, another carrying coal passed by and an empty barge is also stuck.
McGovern says that the barge has a double hull and does not appear to have been breached. She says that the coast Guard is working with the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety to free the barges.
U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Alanna McGovern says the current on the Ohio River broke some of the wires connecting the barges to a towing vessel this morning. "the current then took the four barges down to the back channel of Neville Island when they came to rest on the railroad bridge."
Of the three other barges that broke loose this morning, one carrying steel coils sank, another carrying coal passed by and an empty barge is also stuck.
McGovern says that the barge has a double hull and does not appear to have been breached. She says that the coast Guard is working with the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety to free the barges.
Runaway Barges on Ohio Get Stuck
The Fleming Park Bridge in Neville Township is closed to vehicular traffic in both directions between Route 51 and Neville Road because runaway barges that became stuck at a nearby railroad bridge.
Four barges broke away from a tow boat early this morning on the Ohio River as they were preparing to enter the Emsworth Lock. The barges then became caught up on a CSX Railroad Bridge between Neville Island and Stowe Township.
Officials on site told the Post-Gazette that one of the barges contained benzene and because of potential danger the nearby Fleming Park Bridge was closed. However, the Coast Guard says there are no signs of damage to any of the barges nor the railroad bridge.
Four barges broke away from a tow boat early this morning on the Ohio River as they were preparing to enter the Emsworth Lock. The barges then became caught up on a CSX Railroad Bridge between Neville Island and Stowe Township.
Officials on site told the Post-Gazette that one of the barges contained benzene and because of potential danger the nearby Fleming Park Bridge was closed. However, the Coast Guard says there are no signs of damage to any of the barges nor the railroad bridge.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Federal Budget to Blame for Closing of Two Locks
Recreational boaters will no longer be able to access service to Locks 9 and 8 (Rimer and Templeton) along the Allegheny River. The two locks will be closed along with elimination of 24 hour service to Lock 2 near the Highland Park Bridge and Lock 4 in Natona. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was forced to close the locks after their budget for water navigation was cut to 4 million dollars, about 50% of their current allocation.
Richard Lockwood, Chief of Operations for the Pittsburgh division of the Corps , says that "Congress created the locks and only Congress can close them" in reference to the 2011-2012 federal budget prompting the cuts.
He says the Army Corps of Engineers worked with the community to compromise on which locks will close. "With the funding that is authorized for us for the Allegheny River, we actually went out and met with out commercial constituents, our commercial customers, our recreational customers, elected officials. We had a series of public meetings, and those conversations and those meetings shaped the plan that we're offering today."
Armstrong County Commissioner Richard Fink says that the locks provide tourism to the county and a loss of them would not be acceptable. "Theoretically what happens right now unless we can find a resolution in 8 and 9 locks, that turns into two lakes, two large lakes in the northern end of Armstrong County."
Fink says County Commissioners are trying to work out ways which would allow them to keeps locks open to recreational boaters and tourism.
The cuts to the locks are scheduled for October 1st when as many as 18 employees will be reassigned to other posts .
Richard Lockwood, Chief of Operations for the Pittsburgh division of the Corps , says that "Congress created the locks and only Congress can close them" in reference to the 2011-2012 federal budget prompting the cuts.
He says the Army Corps of Engineers worked with the community to compromise on which locks will close. "With the funding that is authorized for us for the Allegheny River, we actually went out and met with out commercial constituents, our commercial customers, our recreational customers, elected officials. We had a series of public meetings, and those conversations and those meetings shaped the plan that we're offering today."
Armstrong County Commissioner Richard Fink says that the locks provide tourism to the county and a loss of them would not be acceptable. "Theoretically what happens right now unless we can find a resolution in 8 and 9 locks, that turns into two lakes, two large lakes in the northern end of Armstrong County."
Fink says County Commissioners are trying to work out ways which would allow them to keeps locks open to recreational boaters and tourism.
The cuts to the locks are scheduled for October 1st when as many as 18 employees will be reassigned to other posts .
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Barge Drifts Down Ohio; No Injuries
A barge broke free of its moorings and drifted about a quarter mile on the Ohio River yesterday afternoon before grounding itself on the shore.
Coast Guard Lieutenant Ben Chamberlain says none of the lubricant oil aboard spilled into the river and nobody was on board to be hurt in the incident.
Lt. Chamberlain says the Coast Guard is investigating why the barge broke free, but in the meantime it’s grounded “hard and fast” to the riverbank.
“It is structurally sound, and it is safe. We sent investigators on scene yesterday and we have investigators again on scene today to make sure that it was not, in fact, damaged,” says Chamberlain. “So at this point it is safe, but we are looking at the best ways, and we are working with members of industry to figure out the best way to get it off its grounded state right now.”
The lieutenant says it will probably be just a few days or less before the Coast Guard determines how to safely free up the barge.
Coast Guard Lieutenant Ben Chamberlain says none of the lubricant oil aboard spilled into the river and nobody was on board to be hurt in the incident.
Lt. Chamberlain says the Coast Guard is investigating why the barge broke free, but in the meantime it’s grounded “hard and fast” to the riverbank.
“It is structurally sound, and it is safe. We sent investigators on scene yesterday and we have investigators again on scene today to make sure that it was not, in fact, damaged,” says Chamberlain. “So at this point it is safe, but we are looking at the best ways, and we are working with members of industry to figure out the best way to get it off its grounded state right now.”
The lieutenant says it will probably be just a few days or less before the Coast Guard determines how to safely free up the barge.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Flooding Through Pittsburgh Area Continues
Rain is expected to continue in Pittsburgh into this evening turning into snow around two in the morning. The rain along with melting snow is leading to flooding throughout the region.
John Darnley, Forecaster for the National Weather Service, the Ohio River and its tributaries will flood soon. "When we talk about this type of flooding along the Ohio River. It's the type where the Wheeling Island floods at 38 (feet) and it's forecast to go to 41.6. So we're looking for some minor to major flooding all along the Ohio with just some moderate flooding throughout the Monongahela through Pittsburgh."
Darnley says that the Mon Wharf will be flooded through the beginning of next week into Tuesday. He says the Point along with the Tenth Street Bypass will flood at midnight tonight, with the Parkway Central flooding at 8 am tomorrow during rush hour.
John Darnley, Forecaster for the National Weather Service, the Ohio River and its tributaries will flood soon. "When we talk about this type of flooding along the Ohio River. It's the type where the Wheeling Island floods at 38 (feet) and it's forecast to go to 41.6. So we're looking for some minor to major flooding all along the Ohio with just some moderate flooding throughout the Monongahela through Pittsburgh."
Darnley says that the Mon Wharf will be flooded through the beginning of next week into Tuesday. He says the Point along with the Tenth Street Bypass will flood at midnight tonight, with the Parkway Central flooding at 8 am tomorrow during rush hour.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Green Infrastructure Database in Development
The local nonprofit 3 Rivers Wet Weather is developing an online tool to help property owners decide where to place green infrastructure.
The online database will help anyone from residential property owners to municipal planners decide where their green infrastructure project would be most effective in reducing sewer overflow.
3 Rivers Wet Weather Executive Director John Schombert says one of the website’s tools will give private property owners a cost-benefit analysis for each site they’re considering.
“The value of the system also is that we will connect people to the marketplace so they can find the plants and the contractors and the designers, perhaps for more elaborate rain-gardens, that will help them develop their site,” says Schombert.
Schombert says the website will also include a more technical application to be used by municipal engineers for public green projects.
He says the region is very prone to sewer overflow, with overflow events happening about 75 times each year. Schombert says in some parts of the region, just one-tenth of an inch of rainfall can cause overflow.
“[For] half our recreational season, we show impacts in the rivers from wet weather overflows that affect recreation, and even potentially can affect water supplies.”
Schombert says the website will also serve as an overall document of the location and effectiveness of green infrastructure in the region. The online database is slated for completion by March of 2012.
The online database will help anyone from residential property owners to municipal planners decide where their green infrastructure project would be most effective in reducing sewer overflow.
3 Rivers Wet Weather Executive Director John Schombert says one of the website’s tools will give private property owners a cost-benefit analysis for each site they’re considering.
“The value of the system also is that we will connect people to the marketplace so they can find the plants and the contractors and the designers, perhaps for more elaborate rain-gardens, that will help them develop their site,” says Schombert.
Schombert says the website will also include a more technical application to be used by municipal engineers for public green projects.
He says the region is very prone to sewer overflow, with overflow events happening about 75 times each year. Schombert says in some parts of the region, just one-tenth of an inch of rainfall can cause overflow.
“[For] half our recreational season, we show impacts in the rivers from wet weather overflows that affect recreation, and even potentially can affect water supplies.”
Schombert says the website will also serve as an overall document of the location and effectiveness of green infrastructure in the region. The online database is slated for completion by March of 2012.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Reduced Funding for the Allegheny
The President's 2012 budget provides $76 million for the Army Corps of Engineers low use navigation projects -- last year it was $140 million. In the Pittsburgh region that reduction will hit the Allegheny River System the hardest, cutting funding from $8 million to $4 million. Army Corps spokesman Jeff Hawk says that's because the Allegheny is such a small player when it comes to commercial traffic, "One facility at Emsworth, which is the first lock on the Ohio River, locks approximately ten times as much cargo through its chambers each year than does the entire Allegheny River system." On average, the Allegheny contributes about 2.5 of the 630 million tons of cargo that travel the nation's inland waterways. Because of the funding cuts, the Army Corps is considering how to reduce service on the Allegheny; one option is to provide full service on Locks 2 and 4 with no recreational traffic lockages available at Locks 5-9. The other option is to reduce shifts and limit operating hours at the first three locks and provide limited recreational service at Locks 5-7, while Locks 8 and 9 would only serve commercial vessels by appointment. Hawk says recreational users will feel the brunt of the funding cuts, but he notes that the river system has plenty of benefits that never factor into the funding equation, "these pools are used for water supply for sanitary treatment and for drinking and hydro-power, they provide a stable pool for riverfront development, and they provide a sustained aquatic environment." Hawk says the rivers belong to the public and it's important they have a voice in what the river system looks like in the future.
The Army Corps will hold two public information sessions on the Allegheny River System:
February 22 at O'Hara Elementary School at 6 p.m. and February 24 at the West Kittanning Fire Department at 7 p.m.
The Army Corps will hold two public information sessions on the Allegheny River System:
February 22 at O'Hara Elementary School at 6 p.m. and February 24 at the West Kittanning Fire Department at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Public Can Vote for River of the Year
For the 28th annual selection of the Pennsylvania River of the Year, the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources has opened nomination’s and voting up to the public. There are six waterways nominated for 2011’s selection; the Conewango Creek, Clarion River, Pine Creek, Delaware River, Kiskiminetas River, and Stonycreek River. Christina Novak, a spokeswoman for the Department of Conservation for Natural Resources, says the first year of public voting should help garner more attention.
“We decided to open the selection process to a public vote because it helps us highlight the many great rivers that we do have in Pennsylvania,” Novak says, “It’s also a way for us to rally community support for their important natural assets.”
Those interested can vote now through Monday, Jan. 3 at the DCNR website.
Winning waterways are celebrated by their local communities organizing activities throughout the year including an extended paddling trip known as a sojourn. According to Novak, the sojourn does many things for the river and the canoeists, kayakers and others who enjoy it.
“[The sojourn] raises awareness of the various value of rivers including environmental, recreational, tourism, and also sort of the heritage connection,” Novak says.
2010’s River of the Year was the Lackawaxen River which flows for 25 miles in Eastern Pennsylvania before emptying into the Delaware River on the state’s border.
“It’s important to have citizens and the general public understand that our rivers are valuable to us and that’s why it’s important for us to protect them,” Novak says.
“We decided to open the selection process to a public vote because it helps us highlight the many great rivers that we do have in Pennsylvania,” Novak says, “It’s also a way for us to rally community support for their important natural assets.”
Those interested can vote now through Monday, Jan. 3 at the DCNR website.
Winning waterways are celebrated by their local communities organizing activities throughout the year including an extended paddling trip known as a sojourn. According to Novak, the sojourn does many things for the river and the canoeists, kayakers and others who enjoy it.
“[The sojourn] raises awareness of the various value of rivers including environmental, recreational, tourism, and also sort of the heritage connection,” Novak says.
2010’s River of the Year was the Lackawaxen River which flows for 25 miles in Eastern Pennsylvania before emptying into the Delaware River on the state’s border.
“It’s important to have citizens and the general public understand that our rivers are valuable to us and that’s why it’s important for us to protect them,” Novak says.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
"Paddle at the Point" Succeeds
In spite of a dismal, and fairly accurate, weather forecast, more than 1800 canoes and kayaks showed up at the Point to break the Guinness World Record for a flotilla of boats. The Mon Wharf was full of boat owners by 10 a.m., so the overflow went across the Allegheny to the Heinz Field ramp, where the renters were launching. Venture Outdoors organized and documented the event.
Everyone was in place well ahead of time, as ominous clouds rolled in from the Ohio, so boats dispersed early--just in time for a torrential downpour, but thankfully, no lightning. It seemed that all the boats wanting to return to the Mon Wharf were upstream on the Allegheny, and all the boats wanting to cross the Allegheny to the Heinz Field ramp were on the Monongahela side of the Point, so there was lots of head-on ramming as boats raced for cover.
The Post-Gazette reports that it will take a month or two for Guinness to validate Pittsburgh's new record. The current record is 1104 boats, held by the Inlet Business Areas of New York, which surpassed Cleveland's record of 776 boats.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Monongahela an Endangered River
American Rivers has released its 25th annual call to action: America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2010. The Monongahela, source of drinking water for 350,000 people, is listed number 9 of 10 because of the hydraulic fracking process used to extract natural gas from the Marcellus Shale.
American Rivers sees two big environmental problems with hydraulic fracking as practiced now: Water put back into waterways has a high salt content, which is unhealthy--even lethal--to freshwater marine life. Secondly, according to coordinator Jessie Thomas-Blate, drilling companies are allowed to keep secret the chemicals they inject into the ground. Thomas-Blate says this is because of an exemption in the Safe Drinking Water Act known as the "Halliburton Loophole". American Rivers is calling on Congress to close the loophole and for West Virginia and Pennsylvania to regulate the fluids put into the ground and waterways.
The Gauley River is number 3 on the list because of mountaintop removal coal mining.
American Rivers sees two big environmental problems with hydraulic fracking as practiced now: Water put back into waterways has a high salt content, which is unhealthy--even lethal--to freshwater marine life. Secondly, according to coordinator Jessie Thomas-Blate, drilling companies are allowed to keep secret the chemicals they inject into the ground. Thomas-Blate says this is because of an exemption in the Safe Drinking Water Act known as the "Halliburton Loophole". American Rivers is calling on Congress to close the loophole and for West Virginia and Pennsylvania to regulate the fluids put into the ground and waterways.
The Gauley River is number 3 on the list because of mountaintop removal coal mining.
Monday, May 17, 2010
River Water Advisories to Begin
The Allegheny County Health Department will start issuing river water advisories for the 2010 river recreation season beginning today and running through September 30th.
They will indicate whether water quality in rivers is normal or if a combined sewer overflow (CSO) alert has been issued. The alerts are issued when heavy rainfall causes sewers carrying a combination of sewage and storm water to overflow and contaminate rivers and streams.
Those with weakened immune systems or open cuts or sores should avoid the water at those times.
Updates are available by calling the river advisory hotline at 412 687 ACHD, by subscribing to text message or twitter alerts, by visiting www.achd.net or by looking out for orange colored flags with black CSO lettering. They fly at marinas and docks and on the Allegheny, Monongahela, Ohio and Youghiogheny Rivers.
They will indicate whether water quality in rivers is normal or if a combined sewer overflow (CSO) alert has been issued. The alerts are issued when heavy rainfall causes sewers carrying a combination of sewage and storm water to overflow and contaminate rivers and streams.
Those with weakened immune systems or open cuts or sores should avoid the water at those times.
Updates are available by calling the river advisory hotline at 412 687 ACHD, by subscribing to text message or twitter alerts, by visiting www.achd.net or by looking out for orange colored flags with black CSO lettering. They fly at marinas and docks and on the Allegheny, Monongahela, Ohio and Youghiogheny Rivers.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Army Corps Ready for Flooding
Local Army Corps of Engineers officials say they will update state and local emergency agencies on the status of waterways in the region when the record February snowfall begins to melt.
Chief of the Readiness Office T.J. Fichera says the Corps communicates with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, and county emergency agencies to prepare for possible floods.
Fichera says one example of the things they’re telling these agencies is that certain high-altitude reservoirs like the Youghiogheny, Tiger, and Stonewall Jackson Reservoirs have the capacity to take in a good deal of snowmelt because of their elevation.
Chief of the Corps’ Water Management Branch Werner Loehlein says we have yet to see a significant snowmelt, meaning that most of the water stored in the snowfall is still there.
Loehlein says the snow only looks like it has melted because sunshine melts the top layer, which compacts the snow beneath it.
The hydrologist says there is still potential for flooding, especially if temperatures rise quickly and it also rains. He says the Monongahela River’s tributaries are at the most risk, including the Youghiogheny and Cheat Rivers.
Chief of the Readiness Office T.J. Fichera says the Corps communicates with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, and county emergency agencies to prepare for possible floods.
Fichera says one example of the things they’re telling these agencies is that certain high-altitude reservoirs like the Youghiogheny, Tiger, and Stonewall Jackson Reservoirs have the capacity to take in a good deal of snowmelt because of their elevation.
Chief of the Corps’ Water Management Branch Werner Loehlein says we have yet to see a significant snowmelt, meaning that most of the water stored in the snowfall is still there.
Loehlein says the snow only looks like it has melted because sunshine melts the top layer, which compacts the snow beneath it.
The hydrologist says there is still potential for flooding, especially if temperatures rise quickly and it also rains. He says the Monongahela River’s tributaries are at the most risk, including the Youghiogheny and Cheat Rivers.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Flooding Impacting Roads
Flooding due to snow melt and heavy rains Sunday and early Monday is causing road closures and traffic troubles in the Pittsburgh region. Flooding has shut down the Parkway East(I-376) Central in downtown Pittsburgh. It's known as the "bathtub" area between Grant Street and the Fort Pitt Bridge. All inbound lanes are closed. Traffic is being detoured at the Grant Street exit, then on to Fort Pitt Boulevard....to Stanwix Street....and then back to the Parkway.
PennDOT is advising motorists the interstate connector ramp from the southbound Fort Duquesne Bridge (I-279) to eastbound (outbound) I-376 (Parkway East/Central) in the City of Pittsburgh is being closed due to flooding.
The posted detour:
From the inbound (southbound) Parkway North (I-279), take Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) north (Exit 1C)
·Take ramp onto the West End Bridge
·At West End, go straight onto Route 19/51 Saw Mill Run Boulevard
·Take Saw Mill Run Boulevard south to inbound (eastbound) I-376 (Parkway West)
·Travel through inbound Fort Pitt Tunnel
·Re-enter outbound (eastbound) Parkway East
The Mon Parking Wharf and the 10th Street Bypass are also closed. The Ohio River in Pittsburgh rose to 25.7 feet at 9 a.m. Flood stage is 25 feet. Forecasters say the river is expected to continue to rise early this afternoon and crest at the Point in Pittsburgh at about 26.2 feet.
Flood warnings remain in effect for the Monongahela River near Elizabeth and Charleroi.
PennDOT is advising motorists the interstate connector ramp from the southbound Fort Duquesne Bridge (I-279) to eastbound (outbound) I-376 (Parkway East/Central) in the City of Pittsburgh is being closed due to flooding.
The posted detour:
From the inbound (southbound) Parkway North (I-279), take Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) north (Exit 1C)
·Take ramp onto the West End Bridge
·At West End, go straight onto Route 19/51 Saw Mill Run Boulevard
·Take Saw Mill Run Boulevard south to inbound (eastbound) I-376 (Parkway West)
·Travel through inbound Fort Pitt Tunnel
·Re-enter outbound (eastbound) Parkway East
The Mon Parking Wharf and the 10th Street Bypass are also closed. The Ohio River in Pittsburgh rose to 25.7 feet at 9 a.m. Flood stage is 25 feet. Forecasters say the river is expected to continue to rise early this afternoon and crest at the Point in Pittsburgh at about 26.2 feet.
Flood warnings remain in effect for the Monongahela River near Elizabeth and Charleroi.
Friday, November 20, 2009
North Shore Trail Link
A half-mile section of the North Shore Trail that’s bumpy with old rail ties is receiving an upgrade for a smoother path. Friends of the Riverfront Executive Director Thomas Baxter says construction will begin within a week of Nov. 20 and finish up around the first week of April. This area is located between the Millvale boathouse and the 31st Street Bridge. The total cost will be about $5 million.
“It’s a very tight corridor along the riverfront,” Baxter said. “Instead of laying trail right on the ground, this is actually a suspended trail--sort of one long bridge along the riverfront.”
During construction, a pathway will be accessible for trail goers.
“It’s a very tight corridor along the riverfront,” Baxter said. “Instead of laying trail right on the ground, this is actually a suspended trail--sort of one long bridge along the riverfront.”
During construction, a pathway will be accessible for trail goers.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Ribbon Cutting at Mon Wharf Landing
Riverlife held a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning on the recently completed Mon Wharf Landing, which has converted some parking spaces along the edge of the Monongahela River to a landscaped trail with mooring for river craft. The project is the first of three phases that will connect the Smithfield Bridge and Pt. State Park.
Riverlife Executive Director Lisa Schroeder says it's possible for the hearty to access Pt. State Park from the landing now via a ramp under the Ft. Pitt Bridge, but it will be much easier when the park and a special ramp are finished in 1-1/2 to 2 years.
The project is designed to withstand the flooding that occurs several times a year, according to Schroeder. The deck is slightly sloped and a little bit higher than it was, and the native plants will tolerate submersion in water. Special fire hoses are in place to clean up mud and silt after flooding.
Half the $3 Million cost for the project came from the federal Department of Transportation, and Congressman Mike Doyle is also requesting funding for Phase II, which will be a ramp from the Smithfield Bridge down to the wharf level.
Other funds came from Riverlife, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PennDOT, the Mabis McKenna Foundation, the Heinz Endowments, and the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
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