The next meeting of the LJRA is Thursday October 10th at 7PM. We will be meeting at the Edgewater Inn in Alexandria. We will have a guest speaker. Mark Brinkner, Water Specialist with PADEP in Harrisburg, will explain how the Pa. Department of Environmental Protection determines the level of protection from pollution (Designated Use) for our streams. Other topics include: news on access at the quarry, update on the fish kill/sewer pipe break and plans for habitat improvement near Tipton. We hope to see you there.
The August meeting of the LJRA is August 8th. We will meet at the Edgewater Inn at 7PM. Topics include increasing access, the Tipton habitat improvement project and updates on the fish kill on the upper J. Hope to see you there.
The July meeting of the LJRA is July 11th. We will meet at the Edgewater Inn at 7PM. Topics include updates on access, water quality monitoring and projects to improve habitat in the upper J. Hope to see you there.
The PFBC is looking for angler/boater input to incorporate into their new strategic plan. Here is a chance to voice your support for conservation and promote wild trout initiatives. The PFBC has been a good partner with the LJRA. Many of the improvements on the river such as stream bank repair, wild trout surveys, ceasing stocking over wild fish in the J and upgraded designations were made possible due the efforts of PFBC. They should be encouraged to continue these activities here and across the state (you have the chance to write what they do right).
Little Juniata River Association 14th Annual River Bank Clean-up
The Little Juniata River Association will hold its 14thAnnual River Bank Clean-up on Saturday, April 6th. LJRA members and volunteers will meet at the Spruce Creek United Methodist Church parking lot at 8:30 am where ladies from the church will serve drinks and treats from Tastykake. Each year, the LJRA leads more than 200 volunteers, including scouts, church groups and office groups, in a stream bank clean-up. There is also an upper river meeting point at the New Pig Corp. parking lot near Tipton for those who prefer to clean-up closer to Altoona. The clean-up will be followed by a lunch hosted by the Spruce Creek United Methodist Church around noon.
In all more than 20 miles of stream banks and roadside pull-offs from Bellwood to Barree are visited. Anyone who wishes to lead a group or participate as an individual, can contact Bill Anderson at 814 684 5922 or bjuniata@verizon.net, or simply show up in the church parking or the New Pig parking lot, at 8:30 am on April 6th. Bags, gloves and water will be furnished.
The March meeting of the LJRA will be held Thursday March 21st at 7PM. The meeting will be held at the Edgewater Inn. We will be discussing the clean up and progress on increasing access.
The Little Juniata River Association held its winter banquet on January 26th, 2019. Charlie Hoyer was posthumously awarded the 2nd Annual Friend of the River Award. Charlie’s widow Marge Hoyer received the award, and framed print of the J. Charlie served a number of years as Treasurer of the LJRA and was one of the earliest members of the organization. Charlie had many interests, but has a particular passion for the outdoors.
Thanks to the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and landowners Andrew and Jessica Walker, we now have nearly real-time readings of water temperature, pH, flow, turbidity and dissolved oxygen. We thank SRBC, Dawn Hintz and her crew for getting this done in a very timely manner. The monitoring station is on the upper J, upstream of Tipton. This significant development will provide critical parameters to monitor sediment and provide fisherman with information on temperature and turbidity. Plans are ongoing to get similar readings on the lower J downstream of Spruce Creek. The link to this information is https://mdw.srbc.net/remotewaterquality/data_viewer.aspx
The next meeting will be Thursday November 8th at 7PM. We will meet at the Edgewater Inn in Alexandria. Guest speaker Diane Thomas, Watershed Manager for Blair Co. Conservation District, will give us an update on her organization’s activities. All are welcome. Come early for dinner or stay afterwards for drinks and discussions.
Jesse Hyde, a member and accomplished artist, painted this scene of the J looking upstream towards the Spruce Creek Bridge. Spruce Creek church can be seen in the background. Jesse generously allowed the LJRA to produce limited edition prints (100) of his painting. The 16 x 24 prints are signed by the artist. The LJRA is selling the mounted and wrapped prints to members for 150.00. For more information email: bjuniata@verizon.net
Our mission is to: “Monitor, Preserve and Improve the Little Juniata River and its tributaries as cold water resources”.
