Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2022 - 50

VOLUNTARY PERMITS FEATURED PROJECTS:
Shoreline Restoration at Yellow Creek
by Mike Parker
Communications Director
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
photos-PFBC archives
T
here is an old saying when it comes to buying land-
implying that it is almost always a wise investment,
because " they are not making any more of it. "
The latter part of that saying went out the window during a
recent project at Yellow Creek State Park, Indiana County, where
the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Lake
Habitat crews did make more land, or at least restored some
that had been lost. The project was funded in part by the sale of
Voluntary Bass Permits.
Beginning in December 2020, the PFBC partnered with
the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources (PA DCNR) for a large-scale shoreline stabilization
project at Yellow Creek Lake that included the construction
of 33 shoreline deflector structures. After identifying areas
where severe erosion had resulted in the loss of up to 15 feet
of shoreline near the lake's North Shore Boat Launch and
McFeaters Cove camping area, crews designed and constructed
the stone and earthen structures, filled in dangerous 3- to 4-foot
drop-off areas, and stabilized a total of 1,300 feet of shoreline.
" These shoreline deflectors are meant to blend into the
environment while providing benefits to fish habitat, water
quality, public safety, and create expanded recreational
opportunities for all park users, " said Mike Swartz, PFBC Lake
Habitat Manager, Division of Habitat Management. " Not only
will the enhanced shoreline be safer for anglers and others to
walk on, but these structures will prevent unwanted sediment
and nutrients from entering and polluting the local watershed.
Deflectors make great rock habitat for crayfish, minnows, young
bass and other gamefish, and macroinvertebrates that attract
larger bass that anglers love to target. "
Completed in two phases, Phase One of the project included
the construction of 21 shoreline deflectors and was funded with
$35,000 from the PA DCNR Resource Section and $8,000 from
the PFBC's Cooperative Lake Habitat Improvement Program.
Phase Two, completed in April 2022, was funded by $30,000
from Voluntary Bass Permits sold in 2021. To reduce costs
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater
A section of Yellow Creek State Park, Indiana County, before
the shoreline restoration project completion.
and maximize the benefit to anglers and park visitors, heavy
machinery operation for the project was provided by the PFBC's
Division of Construction and Maintenance and PA DCNR's
Yellow Creek State Park maintenance staff.
" For the second phase of the project, we added another 12
deflectors and installed additional rock armor to further protect
vulnerable sections of shoreline. While this was a multi-year
team effort between the PFBC and PA DCNR, anglers who
purchased the Voluntary Bass Permits in 2021 really took this
project across the finish line. We cannot thank them enough, "
said Swartz.
The shoreline deflectors, which protrude approximately 15
feet into the lake, will make casting into deeper water easier for
shoreline anglers and benefit boat anglers casting towards shore.
Areas of shallow water between structures will warm in the
spring and summer months, providing ideal spawning habitat
and protection for bass and other species, and contribute to the
overall health of the fishery and angler success.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2022

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