THE SUSQUEHANNA STORY
THE SUSQUEHANNA STORY
we want to know your story
Everybody has a story -
but not everybody has a SUSQUEHANNA STORY.
AN INTERACTIVE JOURNEY
An estimated 4 million people share this vein of existence.
MY STORY
I was born and raised on the banks of our Mother Susquehanna. It seems like She has been a silent observer in the background of most my life. Many childhood memories are laced within her hills and shorelines.
Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, we spent a lot of time as children exploring her rocky banks. I remember first days of open fish seasons with my father before he fell ill when I was 5, and later died when I was 9. I remember how it felt to briefly sense my place within this world, as we watched the fireworks as a perfect little family at Negley Park, each year on the 4th of July. The way her waters reflected the exploding lights from above was the closest thing to magic I could feel at the time.
She’s hosted me with some of my greatest loves, as well as held such silent and powerful space for me, as I’d intuitively seek her sunset shorelines out during some of my darkest moments. She was always my most silent and sacred shoulder to cry on.
She witnessed the death of my father, and the birth of my son.
My ancestors were drawn to her shores for some unknown (to them) reason. Just like I am too - despite how many times I’ve tried to escape her. Like Jonah and the whale, I am drawn back to Her - over and over again.
What is Her mystery?
Why can’t I escape Her?
I guess only time will tell.
photo credit: matthew kurtyka
photo credit: anthony beaston
“ Elan Kumankw “
Lenape for
we are all related
Through the thousands of years that First Nations People inhabited the physical landscape of the Susquehanna River Valley, this geographical area was not land to be exploited for human gain, but rather a cooperative venture in which all life forms participated as equals. Their belief was that the landscape did not exist to be remade, but rather, it served as a natural backdrop for their notion of cosmic harmony to thrive and prosper. They lived within the understanding that all humans, animals, plants, all of nature, and even supernatural figures cooperate to bring about a balanced and harmonious universe.
SITTING BULL
Blue,
the moon and you
- when I think of blue.
Below the surface of your face…
In your diamond eyes.
- take me back to the start.
“You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered . . .
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader.
Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, “This could be a good time!”
There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are torn apart and will suffer greatly.
Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above water. And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, Least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
The time for the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from you attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
HER MAJESTYOur Mother Susquehanna essentially offers us so much!!!
Economic Importance and Uses:
The land and water of the basin sustain the people, farms and industry that are the lifeblood of the economy for over half of Pennsylvania and beyond.
The forests and waters attract outdoors enthusiasts from all over the country and the world, thus creating a steadily growing tourism industry.
Industrial Uses:
The Susquehanna provides a source of electricity for people within its basin and beyond. The river’s water is harnessed for hydroelectric power generation and is used by both nuclear and non-nuclear power plants.
The water of the Susquehanna is used in the manufacturing of a variety of products, such as steel and paper.
Millions of gallons of water are used daily by food processing facilities located throughout south central Pennsylvania.
Public Water Supply:
The Susquehanna is a source of drinking water for millions of people. Public water supply uses account for over 400 million gallons per day are withdrawn, with 200 million gallons per day consumed and not being returned to the water system.
Agricultural Uses:
Agriculture is a leading industry throughout much of Pennsylvania, and the lands comprising the Susquehanna River Basin are no exception. While a very small percent of the water use in the Susquehanna Basin is directed towards agricultural use (about 1%), a significant portion of land cover in the Basin is agricultural. The Lower Susquehanna Basin holds the majority of the agricultural uses, with 36% of the land cover in the Lower Susquehanna as crops or pasture. Dairy, cattle, chicken, egg, hog, fruit, feed, and vegetable crop production can all be found within the basin. Some of the most fertile agricultural land in the United States is located in Lancaster County. At a consumption rate of 120 million gallons a day, agricultural operations are the fastest growing water use sector.
Historical Uses:
People, products, and coal were transported by means of an extensive canal system (river non-navigable).
Coal, washed into the river from mining operations, was commercially dredged and sold.
Prior to the construction of several dams on the lower Susquehanna in the 19th century, commercial shad fishing was conducted on the river. These dams, coupled with water pollution from coal mines, tanneries, and saw mills, put an end to the annual shad migrations and the fishing industry.
Logs and lumber from the forests and sawmills of north central Pennsylvania were “floated” down the river to market. Dams were constructed along the way to control water levels. The logging industry brought wealth to the Williamsport region, by way of the Susquehanna River. During the logging boom of the mid 1800s, more millionaires were created in Williamsport than in any other region at any other time in United States history. 61 state parks are located in the basin:
Recreational Uses:
Recreational opportunities include bird watching, boating, canoeing, fishing, hunting, and swimming.
Pennsylvania State Parks in the Susquehanna River Basin:
Archbald Pothole, Bald Eagle, Big Spring, Black Moshannon, Blue Knob, Bucktail, Canoe Creek, Cherry Springs, Codorus, Colonel Denning, Colton Point, Cowans Gap, Denton Hill, Frances Slocum, Fowler’s Hollow, Gifford Pinchot, Greenwood Furnace, Hills Creek, Hyner Run, Hyner View, Kettle Creek, Kings Gap, Lackawanna, Leonard Harrison, Little Pine, Locust Lake, Lyman Run, McCall Dam, Memorial Lake, Milton, Mount Pisgah, Nescopeck, Ole Bull, Parker Dam, Patterson, Penn Roosevelt, Pine Grove Furnace, Poe Paddy, Poe Valley, Prince Gallitzin, Prouty Place, R. B. Winter, Ravensburg, Reeds Gap, Ricketts Glen, S. B. Elliot, Salt Spring, Samuel E. Lewis, Sand Bridge, Shawnee, Shikellamy, Sizerville, Sinnemahoning, Susquehanna, Susquehannock, Swatara, Trough Creek, Upper Pine Bottom, Warrior’s Path, Whipple Dam, Worlds End.
Geological Information:
Flowing across three physiographic provinces, the river begins in the Appalachian Plateau Province, then curves its way through the Valley and Ridge Province and the Piedmont on its way to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
As the Susquehanna travels through the Ridge and Valley province, it cuts through five ridges. The area of five gaps, from Harrisburg north to Liverpool, is a National Natural Landmark. As an outstanding example of river-ridge interaction, it causes geologists to consider which came first: the river or the ridges.
Scenic Rivers
There are 110.5 miles of scenic rivers in the Susquehanna River Watershed.
Pine Creek, Lick Run, Stony Creek, Yellow Breeches Creek, LeTorte Spring Run, Tucquan Creek and Octoraro Creek
information cited : PA DCNR