Oven Run is alive.
After 125 years of being completely devoid of life, a recent survey revealed five different species of fish and insects in what was once the main source of pollution in the Stonycreek watershed.
Located just northeast of Kantner in Shade Township, Somerset County, the small stream once provided pristine water for baking bread in crude brick ovens for British regulars and provincial troops on the Forbes expedition in 1758. Decades of pre-environmental regulated coal mining made its waters have a very acidic hydrogen potential of 3.1, which is fatal to aquatic life. In 1993, it became ground zero in the dream of restoring the Stonycreek River.
The late September survey was conducted by the Somerset County Conservation District, whose district manager Len Lichvar grew up in nearby Boswell. Using electrofishing gear and personnel from Garrett College of Maryland, and with assistance from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Oven Run was shocked upstream 100 yards from its mouth. Lichvar said the crew was pleasantly surprised to see 58 temporarily disabled fish floating to the surface. He explained that the fish had migrated upstream from the Stonycreek River.
Creek Chub, White Suckers, Northern Pigsuckers, Longnose Suckers and Blacknose Suckers were the count.
“We also identified a juvenile chub of the year, which indicates that actual wildlife reproduction of that species is occurring at Oven Run, which is very important,” Lichvar said.
Following the recent reconstruction of five thirty-year-old, abandoned passive mine drainage treatment systems on Oven Run, the conservation organization investigated the creek out of sheer curiosity.
“Twenty-five years ago, and even to this day, Oven Run was not the goal,” Lichvar said. “It should actually be the sacrificial lamb. The goal was always to bring back Stonycreek as best as possible, which we believe we have achieved at least to a large extent. We thought we might as well check out Oven Run, now that we know we are significantly improving the water quality beyond what it had been since we started the process over 25 years ago.
Crayfish and caddisfly larvae were also discovered during sampling.
“We are getting more results than we ever expected,” Lichvar said of the return from public funding for the treatment facilities.
The Stonycreek River is now a viable fishery up to its confluence with the Little Conemaugh. Ecotourism has taken hold in the watershed, mainly through the improvement of Oven Run.
“Oven Run’s comeback is kind of the icing on the cake,” Lichvar said. “To be honest, 30 years ago we weren’t even sure we could portage the Stonycreek River at all. Fast forward to today, we have more than accomplished what we set out to do.”
Because the stream has reached a current, fairly neutral pH of 6.2, an experimental trap and transfer of trout is planned, Lichvar said.
“Whether it happens or not, we can’t guarantee that at this point,” Lichvar said, “but at least the potential is there now. While that potential didn’t even exist not so long ago.”
However, Lichvar explained that without constant and adequate funding and resources, Oven Run could quickly return to its polluted state.
“Without constant operation and maintenance, and without future long-term operation and maintenance, everything we have already achieved could be lost if it doesn’t continue,” Lichvar said. “That is a constant battle that we as a conservation community are involved in. on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual time frame.”
