adopta stream.htm

Save Our Native Species Inc.
S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie Fishing Club
(A 501 C (3) not for profit organization)

Adopt a Stream

Home

Contact Information:
President
Jerry Skrypzak

Vice President
Ed Kissell

Secretary
Don Tombaugh

Treasurer
John Krupinski

Mail: PO Box 3605
Erie, Pennsylvania 16508

Phone/Fax: 814-453-2270
Email:
sonslakeri@aol.com

Cascade Creek is a stream that flows through the City of Erie, PA and empties into Presque Isle Bay. The stream travels through commercial, industrial and residential areas within the city. The last half mile of flow is through a public park and wetlands area. Cascade Creek was a major source of pollution and sedimentation for Presque Isle Bay waters.

In 1991 the S.O.N.S. entered into a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Adopt a Stream program, the students of Strong Vincent High School and the City of Erie. The goal of this partnership was to work towards the improvement of the Cascade Creek and the surrounding watershed.

At the beginning of this project several methods of bank stabilization were attempted. A large quantity of stone was made available during the construction of a bay front parkway in Erie. These stones were placed at strategic locations on the banks of the creek. This was accomplished through the donation of heavy equipment and operators. Professor Jim Rutkowski from Strong Vincent high school obtained grants to fund other types of bank stabilization which were put in place by students from that school.

The Strong Vincent students also monitor water quality by taking samples and testing them. This sampling has identified point sources of pollution and remedies were applied to eliminate these sources.

One of the sources was an area located nearby. Soil was removed and a Country Fair Convenience store was built on the recovered brown field land. In 2001 thanks to a Growing Greener Grant of $91,000 from the state. 250 ft of the East bank of the creek was stabilized. The balance of the $118,000 project was funded by Country Fair. Ed Kissell VP of the SONS was the leader in bringing all of the pieces together to complete the project.

Annually, the SONS of Lake Erie conduct a cleanup of the stream before trout season.
Volunteers tour the stream and collect any garbage or debris in the stream bed. The debris is hauled away by City of Erie trucks.

The water quality of Cascade Creek has improved to the point that it is stocked with trout by the PA Fish and Boat Commission each spring for trout season. This provides an urban trout fishing opportunity, especially for inner city youth as well as older adults who cannot go to the more rural fishing sites.

In 2004 another project was funded for bank stabilization, habitat restoration etc. for the West branch of Cascade Creek. This $154,021.00 project was funded by a $100,000.00 grant from the Great Lakes Commission. The balance of the funds to come from the DEP through the PA Growing Greener program. The SONS, the faculty and students of Strong Vincent High School, Gannon University, Mercyhurst College, PA Sea Grant, and the City of Erie Public Works Department and the Pennsylvania Lake Erie Watershed Association, who will provide in-kind service.

Annual Spring Clean-up

Cascade Creek Restoration History

Click on images for larger view and more info

Frontier Park