We recently released a story looking at the invasive infiltration of various exotic crayfish species in our watershed and how it could impact our resources.

Dr. David Lieb, who has studied crayfish throughout the state for the Fish and Boat Commission and other organizations for nearly two decades provides his take on this issue in our most recent episode of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper podcast.

The Shikellamy State Park is in the midst of numerous transitions as the longstanding marina building at the convergence of the North and West branches of the Susquehanna River is stripped down and the park conducts a search for a new manager.

David Bressler didn't know what to expect as he responded to a plea by the Pennsylvania State Police at 7:30 a.m. on June 6, 2019, to help clean up an accident and massive spill of lime along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River near Montgomery.

"I was the first one there from our company, and when I got to it, I could see the tractor-trailer was over the guard rail along the bank of the river. It was completely smashed," he said. "There was white powder everywhere -- it looked like a grenade had exploded."

​"Dad, look, a swan!"

Suddenly, my younger daughter, Samantha, plunged her paddle into the calm waters of Lake Chillisquaque and took off toward a small cove, hoping for a closer glimpse. 

"I always wanted to see a real swan up close," she said afterward with a huge smile. "I guess I can mark that off my bucket list."

​A violent battle rages in waterways throughout Pennsylvania, as native crayfish increasingly are wiped out by invasive exotic species such as the rusty crayfish – a transplant from the Ohio River basin.

As we shared via a post on June 19, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) is reviewing and seeking public comment on new permit application requests from a slaughterhouse operation in Clinton County. More details specifically about the permit application can be found here.

After investigating new concerns by a homeowner, backed by observations from a local official, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association has formally drafted and submitted the following letter of recommendation and comment to the SRBC. 

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is looking for public feedback on extension of special slot limit fishing regulations along a seven-mile stretch of Penns Creek.

A lone white swan arched its neck above the water, and then plunged its head under the surface, searching for an aquatic snack while slowly drifting along the shorelines of Lake Chillisquaque.

Moments later, the black-masked face emerged from the depths with a small fish clamped within its yellow serrated bill.

Kayaking along the network of tributaries that make up the Middle Susquehanna River watershed provide numerous opportunities to reconnect with nature – and the 165-acre manmade Lake Chillisquaque is no exception.

Driving across the Veteran's Memorial Bridge into Sunbury today (Tuesday, July 28), it was hard to ignore the cloudy layer of foam gathered along the shoreline below the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam.

​Doug Fessler and his son spent a few hours just below the inflatable bags of the Adam T. Memorial Dam near Sunbury -- a popular location for anglers.

They left with two full bags of garbage.