Immersion Research 2008

Last week, I got an email concerning some potential illegal activity on this class V (although rarely runnable) tributary of Indian Creek. Indian Creek is a major Youghiogheny River trib and very fun class III(IV) creek-ish run. Indian Creek also happens to run through my backyard, so I take particular interest in protecting its watershed through the Mountain Watershed Association (www.mtwatershed.com).

The problem that was being reported was a potential dam blocking the flow, water being illegally diverted from the stream, or perhaps flow being lost into abandoned mine shafts. The major problem with watersheds in this area comes from abandoned mine drainage and all of the fun stuff that drains out of them, such as heavy metals and the acidic mine drainage. However, there is one other source of contamination: land owners along the creek. Not to judge anyone, but the abundance of mangy dogs, trash, dilapidated houses and no trespassing signs lets you know that you are entering a special place. For that reason, Ken, Hanna and I met at 6:00 AM and snuck into the creek bed.

Once safely in the creek, we negotiated the muddy rocks made particularly slippery by a passing thunderstorm and the estimated 10-15 CFS. Along the way, we passed a few sketchy places, but none rivaled the “Bridge to Nowhere”, followed by a really cool looking, but very scary hunting cabin, complete with lots of targets on which the occupants practiced. We were all hoping to not become targets as well.

We ended up not finding any sort of illegal activity, which is sort of bittersweet, as environmentally we were pleased, but the detectives in us wanted to discover something. We did realize that there were pockets of acid mine drainage and aluminum deposits on the creek, but we did enjoy the beauty of the hollow. The 99% humidity and morning fog made the hike that much more enchanting.

However, we then realized that we had to get back out, and we opted to take the recently decommissioned township road back up to Hawkins Hollow, perhaps the sketchiest part of Fayette County (Fayettenam to the locals). Ken was wise enough to bring along a “dog stick” that he had found in the creek. It was basically a gnarly, rusted pipe, and as we reached the crux move, or the gauntlet of falling down trailers, rusted out trucks and nasty dogs, we were surrounded by no fewer than 6 dogs. It was settling to know that we had the “dog stick”, but we managed to keep our heads down and not draw the ire of the dogs or their owners.

I encourage everyone to get involved in their local watershed, as well as AW. Most watersheds have local advocacy organizations.

For more on Rasler Whitewater, click here http://gotboof.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html