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PCWEA
PO Box 61674
Harrisburg, PA 17106
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The Great Hot Spots Tour
| This tour focuses upon places in Lower
Paxton and Susquehanna Townships, and the City of Harrisburg. Each stop
demonstrates: severe impairment, mainly from erosion and sedimentation; the
possibilitiy for remediation; and/or an opportunity for enhancement and protection. |
| Take the Online
Tour
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Photos, directions, descriptions in the comfort of your home. |
| Download the Self Guided Tour in portable document
format.
|
[It's six pages, in .pdf format, which opens automatically in your
browser with Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader,
it is free.
Click here to get it.
] **Tour difficulties are not anticipated, but a few places
require caution. PCWEA disclaims responsibility for any problems experienced
when taking this tour ** |
| See Lessons to be Learned.
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The point of the tour is watershed awareness through familiarization
and education, in preparation for PCWEA's initiative on stormwater management
through impervious surface retrofit and low impact development. |
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Read site descriptions below, click on headings to see travel
directions.
1. Headwaters, Patton Road:
At the junction of impaired and unimpaired creek branches --
street-wide culverts underneath Patton Road and Blue Hen Ct. 
Note (1) differences in types of land cover along the two branches:
the unimpaired branch drains from forests and fields; this landscape vegetation
appears messy, but the organic matter present is effective in absorbing
most stormwaters before they reach the stream; the other branch in the area
drains from a residential subdivision with runoff mainly from impervious
surfaces, 2) the sizes of the culverts for expected stormwater volumes are
quite large, attesting to the volumes of stormwaters involved, and |
(3) The photo at the right shows the relative ineffectiveness of grasses
as a buffer to protect streams; the banks of the branch going behind the
residential buildings along Patton Road look nibbled along their edges — erosion!
— despite grassy lawns extending from the residences to the edges of the
stream; grasses are limited at absorbing stormwaters. This site and others
are being monitored by the Paxton Creek Rangers of the PCWEA. |
| 2. Goose Valley Road:
Observe en route the relationship between vegetation and creek condition
(i.e., relatively unimpaired reaches exist upstream and downstream
of the golf course; only a relatively narrow strip of woodland and shrub vegetation
are adjacent to the creek; it is enough to protect from storm runoff associated
with new developments in the area. |
3. Colonial Golf Club:
In the distance on the right side the banks of
Paxton Creek can be seen cutting across the landscape, parallel with Goose
Valley Road. The banks of the stream are eroding and slumping, as the buffer
grasses inadequately protect the creek. Golf courses are also known for
their nonpoint source pollution, consisting of runoff with products to enhance
and protect the golf course landscape (e.g., fertilizers and pesticides).
This photo shows refuse placed in an attempt to stabilize eroded banks
of Paxton Creek on Colonial Club golf course. |
4. Winchester Park Retention
Pond:
Vegetation such as cattails exist in this pond, usually
dry, located on the left side behind a high embankment near the entrance
to the Winchester Park. Much stormwater runoff flows from impervious surfaces
in this development into the retention area, which is surrounded by a fence.
Note that this is a retention basin, not a detention pond where waters
can be temporarily stored before discharge into Paxton Creek; although this
stormwater alternative does not exacerbate erosion, potential infiltration
on site and aquifer replenishment are reduced. On site management of stormwaters
from each residence would be much more desirable. |
5. Wooded Floodplain:
The creek channel on the right side of the road has
eroded to bedrock, and is too deep for most stream overflows, except during
heavy storm events; in effect, this floodplain is nonfunctional during 95%
of the storms. |
6. The Brook Apartments:
Note (1) evidence exists of severe erosion with grass-covered
slumps from waters released from underground mall storage; erosion has reached
to bedrock, and expanded with increased stormwater volumes, (2) as shown
by erosion from side drains, grass is ineffective as a protective buffer,
(3) steep slopes are relatively unstable, (4) physical objects
such as bridges and pipes are vulnerable to erosion, even leading to collapse
of structures downstream, (5) infiltration opportunities were missed, where
side culverts extend from lots and buildings directly to the stream, rather
than drain into swales before reaching the main ditch, (6) there is an
absence of energy dissipaters (large stones) beneath the outlets of culverts,
to reduce the force of flowing waters, and (7) remediation would require
cutting the embankments to create floodplains, before protective shrub
and woodland vegetation could be planted. |
7. Colonial Park Mall:
Note (1) the slight drainage slope on the mall lot,
leading towards the southwestern corner, where curbs separate runoff
from island vegetation and potential infiltration sites, 
(2) Prospects for desirable stormwater retrofit could include: removal
of curbs, and other barriers between stormwater and infiltration places;
soaking strips along the lot perimeter; rainwater gardens and soaking
trenches at intervals throughout the lot, with slight pavement humps to direct
flows towards rainwater gardens — NOT surface detention basins, or storage
tanks underneath the lot (the present approach to stormwater management). |
8. McIntosh Road Farm:
Note the differences as to the stream width, extent
of bank erosion, and width of the stream at distances of 50 feet left and
right from the bridge. 
On the left grasses have been planted and mowed to the edge of the stream,
where more erosion has occurred (observe the ragged edges and sloping/undercut
banks). A small, secondary floodplain area is starting to build in the
stream, as deposits in the stream have accumulated near a bank. The whole
area is a historical floodplain. It does not serve that function (i.e.,
water storage), now, following minor storm events, because the stream has
eroded so deep that moderate stream levels do not go over the tops of the
banks. Due to increased volumes of upstream runoff, the creek has widened
because it can not go deeper (bedrock has been reached), further eroding
the banks as the larger amounts of water have to be accommodated.
Compare this situation with the reach of the creek on the right side of
the bridge. 
Away from the vicinity of the bridge, the stream is more narrow, and erosion
is less evident. Considerable shrubs and trees line the banks, which have
a quite messy appearance as compared to the mowed landscape on the other
side of the bridge. This fringe vegetation is an ideal buffer, which protects
the stream from stormwater runoff into the creek. Once, again, the area
exhibits the limited effectiveness of grasses as buffer plantings.
A lesson to be learned: messy vegetation is good! |
9. Brandywine Village Detention Basin:
Note: immediately before the entrance is a small detention
basin, containing cattails and a short riser drain pipe;
this pipe discharges stormwaters received from the development behind
vegetation another 50 yards alongside Paxton Church Road; inadequate energy
dissipaters (boulders, big stones) at the end of the pipe have allowed severe
erosion, reaching to bedrock.
Detention basins are the main existing stormwater control
technique in the watershed. They can have serious drawbacks, which include
the following: worsen erosion through a "fire hose effect" from improperly-placed
discharge pipes; allow very little on site infiltration to recharge aquifers,
resulting in diminished groundwaters, which worsen supplies to wells and
streams during drought periods; habitats become degraded for aquatic wildlife,
as sediment clogs creeks, and stream flows diminish and dry up due to inadequate
aquifer recharges; detention basins only temporarily store stormwaters,
which after their release may join downstream with waters from other detention
basins and storage areas, causing larger creek flows with greater erosion,
more sedimentation, and even flooding. "Why are detention basins used?"
you ask. They allow more impervious surfaces (e.g., roof tops, parking lots,
roads and other developments) at specific locations, but create severe problems
for neighbors, other parties, and places downstream.
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10. Paxton Church Road, West End:
Observe in the distance among the trees on the left,
deep erosion cuts into banks and a wider stream, because of aggregated flows
from creek branches draining areas upstream. Pins placed in at various levels
of an embankment for measuring erosion are present, but they cannot be seen
from the road. |
11. Parking Lot Detention Basin:
Erosion exists on the inside slopes of the stormwater
detention basin, which receives drainage off the Elmerton Avenue Farm Show
shuttle parking area, located above the basin. This 20-acre lot, although
constructed in 2001, has no on site infiltration of stormwaters through runoff
trenches, swales, or other approaches. |
12. State Farm Road Curve Vicinity:
Note : A lot can be seen at this site. The stream is
the Asylum Run part of Paxton Creek. It is a tributary with flashy flows.
This means the water levels can vary greatly with storm events, due to rapid
runoff upstream from massive amounts of impervious surfaces in Colonial
Park, Penbrook, and adjacent areas. (1) The bridge has adequate width and
hydraulic capacity for water volume changes; many bridges are too small,
with erosion occurring at abutments, (2) access to Capital Area Greenbelt
occurs, here. Both upstream and downstream shrubs and trees have been planted
on the floodplain, and along the trail by Greenbelt volunteers and HACC students, 
(3) a Gabion mat (wire container filled with stones) exists along a bank
upstream of the bridge; gabions are useful in protecting erosion-prone areas,
when installed properly, (4) considerable refuse and debris (even deer carcass
remains) have been deposited at this out-of-the-way site by people who
are poor environmental stewards, (5) beyond the cable limiting access to
vehicles is an abandoned restaurant/club; severe encroachment of the
parking area next to the creek has occurred, where erosion is undermining
the asphalt surface;
pins marked by flagging material have been driven into the sides of the 
embankment at this location for monitoring erosion. (Shown in photo at
right. Pins are just below the black box at the edge of the asphalt.)
Caution Potentially dangerous situation exists in leaning over the edge
to observe the pins. Evident in this area are portals to a major interceptor
sewer that runs from suburban townships alongside Asylum Run, a typical pattern
for many streams; construction of sewers alongside streams may enhance erosion,
by placing unconsolidated soils in the vicinity of flowing waters, (6) a
small ribbon floodplain is adjacent to the creek, and (7) drainage from
Elmerton Road and the Veterans’ Park area enter Paxton Creek through a large
culvert, here. This site and others in the watershed are being monitored
by Paxton Creek Rangers of the PCWEA. At this location and others are
measurement plates affixed to objects alongside the creek; these are staff
gauges that show water levels, which are recorded by the stream monitors. |
13. Wildwood Lake Sanctuary:
Note (1) the extent of sediment accumulation in this
vicinity of Paxton Creek is extreme, as the creek reduces gradient and slows;
muck more than six inches deep exists in places on the bottom of the creek,
as shown in this photo; 2) the main channel (shown below) 
has been blocked with sediment and debris for years, causing a new branch,
shown here, 
to develop, wind its way through woods and wetlands to the base of the
upland rise near Olewine Nature Center, and out of the lake south via Morning
Glory Drain, and (3) so much sediment and debris has entered the lake that
deltas have formed, creating habitat changes (i.e., trees and shrubs on higher
grounds), severely restricting water circulation, and nearly separating the
lake into lobes. WATER & RESTROOMS are available, here, in
the Olewine Nature Center most days between 10 am-4 pm. |
14. Wetlands Strip:
This area receives drainage off Farm Show parking
lots and roads. 
Despite flood-prone conditions along this reach of Paxton Creek, especially
near the Asylum Run confluence, stormwater retrofit and on site infiltration
(e.g., rainwater gardens) are not being practiced in this area, exacerbating
flood vulnerability. |
The Farm Show construction has minimal facilities
for on site infiltration of storm water.
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Paxton Creek flows in an unlined channel, alongside the Farm Show Complex. |
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15. Paxton Creek Corridor Parallel
to Cameron Street:
Downstream from Wildwood Lake, Paxton Creek is channelized, crossing
HACC and Harrisburg, until reaching confluence with the Susquehanna River
past the PennDOT building south of I-83, and off Rosebud Island. Observe
in the distance, on the south side,
channelized Paxton Creek beneath trees (around mile point 20.2), next
to impervious surfaces, old buildings, old and new enterprises (Subway Cafe,
Appalachian Brewery); these are opportunities for trails and micro-parks
— places for potential urban respites, providing relief for urban workers,
and enhancing economic redevelopment. The photo shows Paxton Creek in a green,
unlined channel near the Subway Cafe at Herr Street. |
16. Mulberry Street High Bridge:
Encroachment 
Beneath Bridge. Note (1) Paxton Creek is basically a ditch at this point,
a straight channel with a concrete liner; these features allow stream flows
to travel more quickly away from local areas, reducing vulnerability to floods,
but making worse conditions for communities downstream; the concrete liner
also affords very poor substrate for aquatic organisms, making Paxton Creek
a biological dearth in this portion of the watershed, (2) reinforced high
channel walls stabilize the creek banks, but contain no floodplains for
water storage, or habitats for aquatic creatures, (3) lateral drainage pipes
exist, with some draining fluids which may contribute to the pollution load
of Paxton Creek and (4) impervious surfaces, mainly buildings and parking
areas encroach upon the stream; the creek has no vegetative buffers to protect
it from nonpoint source pollution along much of its urban route. The arches
of this old bridge have an aesthetic appeal, which may be enhanced by murals
painted onto the bridge in the near future. |
17. Capital Area Greenbelt Crossing:
Access to the Capital Area Greenbelt is here; after
securing vehicles, walk along the Greenbelt a short distance to a bridge
across Paxton Creek. 
Note (1) a collapse of the creek’s concrete liner is shown, further attesting
to the dysfunction of stream liners, (2) portals to sewer mains are located
along Paxton Creek is this vicinity; these sewers drain to a pumping station,
and nearby wastewater treatment plant for Harrisburg, and (3) beside the
creek is a tall stone pillar (abutment?) for the PA Canal, which probably
crossed above this site before year 1900. Can you imagine small packet canal
boats floating in a trough (bridge) above your head, as would occurred before
and during the Civil War? The main Paxton Creek mouth is another half mile
downstream, and a ten-minute walk from this point, partially along the Greenbelt.
The Great Hot Spots Tour ends at this bridge, not at the
mouth of Paxton Creek.
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If you desire a little refreshment, a little further along the Greenbelt,
on the right, is the Lochiel Hotel and Bar, a run- down establishment
with unique charm; at this place you can get drinks, simple food, (and
hot blues music on Thursday nights); the Lochiel is also reachable via Shanois
Street off Cameron.
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Lessons to be Learned
| The main problem of stormwater in
Paxton Creek watershed is runoff from impervious surfaces; stormwaters
are temporarily stored in detention basins and released off site, as compared
to the preferable on site infiltration of stormwaters, and/or storage in
wetlands. |
Grasses are much better than impervious surfaces
at protecting streams from stormwater runoff, but grasses are relatively
ineffective as compared to woodland and fringe ground cover. |
Existing impervious asphalt and concrete can
be retrofitted to handle stormwater through soaking beds, rainwater
gardens, conservation ordinances, and other approaches and techniques. |
| Associated with stormwater runoff
is nonpoint source pollution, prevalent and pervasive in Paxton Creek watershed.
Many pollutants such as the following types are involved: metals, oils
and debris washed from roads and parking lots; fertilizers and pesticides
from lawns and other landscape; heated waters off parking lots on hot days;
unsanitary wastes from malfunctioning sewers and septic tanks; sediment eroded
from many sources, particularly stream banks. |
Sediment has been, and
continues to be, a particular problem for Paxton Creek. Excessive stormwater
runoff associated with development has caused so much erosion and sedimentation
that Wildwood Lake Sanctuary is no longer a functioning lake that has reserve
capacity to store stormwaters, or support boating and similar recreation.
The lake is so shallow from sediment, deposited by Paxton Creek, that the
aquatic areas mainly consist of wetlands. Wildwood Lake is a superb wetland
for the endangered American Lotus species! |
Driving Directions
1. Patton Road begins a few hundred yards
east (towards Linglestown) from the intersection of Route 39 with Colonial
Road, and leads back towards the mountain (Start, mile point 0.0) (Set
odometer counter reading to 0.0 miles, at the Blue Hen Ct. intersection near
the end of Patton Road, at the base of Blue Mountain in Lower Paxton Township.
During the tour odometer readings may vary among vehicles.
2. Goose Valley Road (Go back along Patton
Road for a mile, and turn left onto Route 39. Travel east for 0.8 mile; turn
right onto Colonial Club Road. After 0.5 mile make a right turn onto Goose
Valley Road (Drive, mile points 1.9-3.9), where the items can be observed).
3. Colonial Golf Club (Drive, pausing at
mile point 2.5)
4. Winchester Park Retention Pond (Drive,
pausing at mile point 2.8)
5. Wooded Floodplain (Drive, pausing
at mile point 3.2)
6. The Brook Apartments (Turn left onto
Colonial Road at mile point 3.9, and go 1.5 miles to a stoplight for the
mall and apartments. Turn right into the apartments complex, and go around
to the management office parking area via North Arlington and Williamsburg
Streets; follow the office directional signs for the management office to
the parking area)(Stop, mile point 5.9)
7. Colonial Park Mall (Return along the
same route to the apartment complex stoplight, and drive straight across
into the mall area, and into the left lot for a brief stop) (Stop, mile point
6.5)
8. McIntosh Road Farm (Upon leaving the
mall, turn right onto Colonial Road. Travel approximately 1.8 mile,
and turn left onto McIntosh Road at mile point 8.3; the destination is at
mile point 8.7, a creek crossing at a small bridge-culvert in the road dip;
a white fence and barn will be observed on the left as the site is approached)
9. Brandywine Village Detention Basin (Continue
on along McIntosh Road to its end. Turn left onto Crums Mill Road, go 0.2
mile, and turn right onto Paxton Church Road. Continue on Paxton Church Road,
crossing Progress Avenue; at approximately 100 yards on the left past a
shopping center is the entrance/exit to a residential development) (Drive,
Stop, mile point 10.2)
10. Paxton Church Road (Continue on along
Paxton Church Road; around a big curve, past Shutt Mill Road at mile 11.3,
and continue slowly on Paxton Church Road. (Drive, pausing at mile point
11.4)
11. Parking Lot Detention Basin
(Continue along Paxton Church Road to its end, and turn left onto Crooked
Hill Road. Go past Harrisburg post office on the left, and proceed to Elmerton
Avenue. Turn left onto Elmerton Avenue at the traffic light , and continue
on, pausing at mile point 12.7)
12. State Farm Road Curve Vicinity (Continue
on Elmerton Avenue past the community gardens, and turn right onto State
Farm Road; go 0.3 mile downhill to a small parking area on the left at the
creek. Caution Potentially dangerous parking — exercise care!) (Stop, mile
point 13.5)
13. Wildwood Lake Sanctuary (Return
and turn left onto Elmerton Avenue, and proceed straight, crossing Cameron
Street, and onto Industrial Road. Go past the Farm Show and HACC, until immediately
past the I-81 overpass at mile point 16.3, turn right into Wildwood Way
leading into Wildwood Lake Sanctuary; park in the lot by Olewine Nature Center,
and walk along the bike path N. to bridge, where the main stem of Paxton
Creek enters the park) (Stop, mile point 16.7)
14. Wetlands Strip (Return back along the
same route along Industrial Road towards Cameron Street) (Drive, pausing
at mile point 18.6, area is on the right.)
15. Paxton Creek Corridor Parallel to Cameron
Street: (Continue on same route to the traffic light on Cameron Street
at mile point 18.7, and turn right) (Drive, mile point 18.7 to 20.2)
16. Mulberry Street High Bridge (Continue
on Cameron Street, at mile point 20.8 turn right into the right lane beside
Mulberry Street high bridge, and go around and park by the creek facing east
underneath the bridge, taking care not to block traffic)(Stop, mile point
20.9)
17. Capital Area Greenbelt Crossing (Turn
right onto Cameron Street, and travel 1.3 miles to Ames True Temper parking
lot on the right (Caution: a narrow entrance exists just past the abandoned
Robbins Door and Sash building, followed by a copse of trees and a billboard
which immediately precede the entrance) (Stop, Tour Finish, mile point 22.2)
(Caution: dangerous traffic situation exists when leaving
the lot onto Cameron Street; a safer exit from the lot is located further
to the S. in the parking area)
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