Category: News

Volunteer opportunity June 21-22

Bell’s Gap Run is a major tributary of the Little J. Recently the dam at the reservoir was converted to bottom, cold water release. This development will greatly improve the fishery.  

The Little Juniata River Association has partnered with Antis Township, Blair County Conservation District, and PA Fish and Boat Commission to install fish habitat structures along 400 feet of Bell’s Gap Run. New Enterprise Stone and Lime donated some stone to the project. In addition to the improvements, LJRA will plant 600 shrubs and 6 large trees along the bank. Volunteers are needed to assist with the planting over the disturbed ground to create a riparian buffer along the stream.  For more information and RSVP contact Angie at angiespagnoli83@gmail.com

Meeting point: Bellwood Community Park

Time: Saturday June 21st 10 AM. If necessary Sunday June 22nd 10AM.

Yes, even with the high water and rain, the crew worked on the project (see photo)  and it will be ready for planting Saturday.

Annual LJRA Banquet

The LJRA banquet was held Saturday June 7th. The weather was wonderful, and the company even better. Over 55 people attended and were treated to a pig roast from Holland Brothers.

The 2025 Friend of the River Award went to Director Angie Spagnoli. Angie headed numerous conservation projects over the last two years and secured funding for the work. You can learn More about Angie on the About the Directors Page.

 

No May meeting

Since we are into the sulphur hatch and many members will be out fishing, we will not have a monthly meeting ion May.

The next event is the yearly banquet to be held Saturday June 7th. More details to follow. 

New Platinum members

The LJRA welcomes are recognized new platinum members.   

Tom Roberson
George Fallon
Heather Seidenberg
Mike Wethorn
Matt Newlin
Penny Willgerodt
Evan Krugar
Geoff Grier
Bert Altmans

Eric Oliver selected for 2024 Friend of the River Award

Eric with the Directors of the LJRA

Eric Oliver received the 2024 Friend of the River Award at the LJRA banquet held on June 8th. Eric has been involved in and led many water monitoring projects in the watershed, including at Bells Gap Run and at the Rutter’s construction site. His monitoring efforts at the Rutter’s site are particularly noteworthy and have led to fines and corrections during its construction. He was instrumental in writing grants to fund the monitoring effort. Congratulations, Eric, and we are lucky to have such a dedicated friend of the river.

Rest In Peace John Bennis

We are sad to announce that former Director of the LJRA John Bennis, formally of Hollidaysburg, has passed away after a courageous battle against cancer at the age of 69. John was a dedicated member of the board and a strong supporter of the LJRA. He was an early Director who gave willingly of his time and energy to improve the river. We will miss him.

You can read his obituary here https://www.richardsonfs.com/obituary/John-Bennis

 

Stream work on the upper river contributes sediment into the system

Yesterday during a river tour with a new LJRA member, Bill witnessed 2 large excavators at the Old 6th Avenue Road bridge in Pinecroft, crossing over Sandy Run, a Class A wild Trout stream and High Quality Cold Water listed stream. They had built a road through Sandy Run using soil from the streambank. They have 2 small culvert pipes that are barely keeping up with the flow and creating a muddy pool behind the improvised road. We spoke with the engineer in charge and learned that they will be digging up a large section of sewer main from the stream bed, today. Then installing a replacement section which will take 3 or 4 days. The makeshift culvert will surely wash out with a heavy rain, delivering sediment into the upper river. This main is not leaking it is, in their words, sagging and requires frequent cleaning. We are challenging their permit terms and will seek to minimize the impact on this major cold water resource for the upper river.

If you see something unusual in the river or its tributaries, please contact Bill or if its a serious immediate threat to the river contact local authorities