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CLEARFIELD — Whitewater parks may be created along the west branch of the Susquehanna River in the Clearfield and Curwensville areas after a feasibility study organized by Clearly Ahead Development laid out plans to improve the river and provide recreational opportunities to local residents and visitors.
The study, funded in part by the Appalachian Region Commission and Visit Clearfield County, compiled information about public whitewater parks and reviewed proposed sites. In addition, conceptual design drawings, estimated project costs and a possible plan on how to bring the recreation project to life were included in the report.
“With innovations like this whitewater park, Clearfield County is not only providing inspired recreational opportunities for its residents and visitors, but also demonstrating that it is a leader leveraging its outdoor assets to enhance economic competitiveness in the commonwealth,” said Nathan Reigner, director of the state’s Office of Outdoor Recreation.
Investments in outdoor recreation can retain youth, attract new residents and invigorate entrepreneurs, he said.
One of the study’s main focus points was to look at the possibility of removing multiple low-head dams owned and/or maintained by municipalities to limit hazardous deterioration and to preserve river elevations.
The study investigated the removal and ultimate placement of whitewater features in Curwensville, Clearfield and Shawville as recreational park possibilities, said Clearly Ahead Development CEO Rob Swales.
The report takes into account community safety, existing deterioration, aquatic and recreational liabilities associated with maintaining or removing the low-head dams.
The report explains how the sites can be redeveloped into public recreational assets without removing the dams.
“The result would improve canoe/kayak passage, and aquatic migration, while maintaining river levels consistent with current levels suitable for recreational flatwater floating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing,” Swales said.
Outright removal of low-head dams would drastically reduce river levels and likely not be the desired outcome for the area, Swales said.
Instead, whitewater recreational parks could be created to replace the low-head dam structures, which would resolve any concerns if and when the dams are required to be removed.
The project areas would serve as public recreational whitewater parks for locals and out of town visitors as an outdoor destination. The results would further strengthen Clearfield County as a diverse outdoor recreational hub and be the only river town in the Pennsylvania Wilds region with public whitewater recreational parks, he added.
The study was shared at Curwensville and Clearfield borough meetings.
A group of local citizens, municipal leaders, conservation groups, anglers, paddlers, redevelopment organizations representing Curwensville, Clearfield and Quehanna-Karthaus areas, GenOn Energy, small business owners, outfitters, local and regional historic and conservation partners — all of which enjoy the outdoors and the Susquehanna River in their own, unique way — provided input and feedback on the plan, Swales said.
Because the low-head dams are deteriorating and municipalities may be forced to remove them in the future, plans to develop the areas for recreational use “is a proactive approach to address an emerging community concern,” he said.
“We are hopeful the municipalities give the study serious consideration,” Swales said.
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