McDannell Run is named for a family who had several farmsteads where this small stream crosses East Lake Road. Some histories of Erie County also refer to it as Three Mile Creek, its distance east of Perry Square. Its watershed lies between those of Cemetery Run (on the west) and Four Mile Creek (on the east). Its course is comprised of alternating urbanized and natural sections, though scouring from storm water runoff and various sources of pollution compromise water quality throughout. As development proceeds in its upper reaches, the stream is likely to be at even greater risk.

McDannell Run rises on the first ridge south of Lake Erie, at the southern boundary of the City of Erie. Its watershed drains much of Southeast Erie including residential neighborhoods near McClelland Avenue, the Erie Industrial Park, the former Kanty College property, and other extensive tracts of yet undeveloped land. North of East 38th Street the main branch of the creek is largely open, passing through wetlands and the future McClelland Park. Construction of the East Side Access Highway here may increase runoff or alter the drainage patterns in ways yet unknown. From East 26th to East 10th Streets, the course of McDannell Run was mostly tubed in the 1970s (although its footprints can be readily seen). Several branches drain the Buffalo Road area, from east of Downing Avenue into the Wesleyville Borough. Near the former Conrail tracks the creek is briefly visible in the “Franklin Flats” at the south end of Bernard Dombrowski viaduct and on the southwest corner of the General Electric property. It then enters the Erie Housing Authority?s Franklin Terrace Apartments complex in a tube paralleling Franklin Avenue before emerging at East 10th Street. From here McDannell Run flows free and in its original course, now partially landscaped, through the Terrace.

At East Lake Road, the creek originally meandered west along the highway right-of-way for several blocks before crossing at the low point (at Ricardo?s Restaurant, where another branch of the creek comes in from the south) and cutting an arc between Chautauqua and Eagle Point Boulevards. With construction of the interurban railroad and the East Lake Road boulevard in the early 20th Century its course was straightened. North of East 4th Street McDannell Run enters a remnant of the mixed wetland hardwood forest which once covered its entire route, though the area straddling the Lawrence Park Township ? City of Erie border is slated for condominium development. For now, a hiking trail used by generations of children from the Erie Lakeside neighborhood lines its course. Descending layers of shale in a series of gentle waterfalls and riffles, McDannell Run finally tumbles over a 15′ cascade and across a perennial beach to share its waters with Lake Erie.

HENRY RICHARD OBERMANNS

Site 1: Beachfront Access

At the beachfront access, numerous geological processes and features can be observed. On windy days, with large waves crashing on the shore and the bluffs, listen carefully and you will hear the grinding, chattering sound of rocks scraping against each other as the water moves across the beach. Note how rounded and broken the loose rocks higher on the banks are. On such days, the tremendous erosive power of the waves is quite obvious. On quieter days, note the rounded rock and try to picture in your mind the grinding power of the waves.

Observe the color and banded patterns in the rock exposed in the bluff and at the waterline. Notice the different patterns. From the water line up the bluff about four feet, the rock shows a distinct pattern of alternate black and light gray layers. Higher up, this pattern stops and the layers are thicker and of a more uniform rusty brown color. The lower striped layers are sometimes called zebra rock. They are formed from very fine sediments in areas either farther out from shore or restricted near-shore areas where heavier sediments cannot reach.

The dark layers contain more organic materials and indicate stagnant, oxygen-poor water. Evidence of these conditions is confirmed by the occurrence of pyrite crystals in these layers. The pyrite is difficult to find, and most people will not be able to find any, but it occurs as small blebs and concretions from 5 mm to 10 cm in size.

Look for pale, brassy, metallic blebs or crystals in the rock.

The upper layers of rock are composed of somewhat larger sediments, and thicker layers. This indicates that more sediments were coming in and periods of stagnation were not occuring. These layers also contain an unusual geologic formation of cone-in-cone concretions. These concretions occur in a layer at about eye level from the water line. Cone-in-cone concretions are not particularly common, but many can be found here in the North East shales. Commonly, they range in size from 25 to 75 cm across and 5-7 cm thick. Further south, in the Girard Shales, concretions 5 m across and 1/2 m thick can be found.
If weather and waves allow, proceed along the bluffs to the mouth of Seven Mile Creek. Cone-in-cone concretions and pyrite occur all along this stretch. If waves are high, use the alternate route marked on the map.

Site 2: Mouth of Seven Mile Creek

Depending on recent creek levels, gravel and sand bars are usually present at the mouth of the creek. These are deposited as the current strength dissipates in the lake and sediment drops out of the water. This is just one example of how sediments are transported and deposited. As you move upstream toward the bridge, keep watching for pyrite in the lower rocks at water level and cone-in-cone rocks higher up.

Site 3: Bridge

Under the bridge, observe the ramp-like surface of the rock and how the layers of rock are bent upward. This is one side of an anitcline, formed as rock was laterally compressed and folded. Proceed up this small ramp and look very closely at all the rock surfaces. While very few fossils occur in this section of the rock, two kinds of trace fossils, or tracks of small animals are abundant here. The smaller little lines were most likely formed by some kind of worm crawling in the mud as they strongely resemble the squiggly lines modern worms leave in mud.

The larger (wider) tracks were most likely made by some type of arthropod as it crawled around looking for a meal in the mud. Possible candidates for these tracks are trilobites, crabs or eurypterids. No body fossils have as yet been found to determine what exactly made these tracks.

Site 4: Anticline and Falls

As you approach the bend in the stream, look closely at the bank where site 4 is marked on the map. You will notice how the rock is bent. This is a cross section view of an anticline where both sides or limbs can be seen, and parts of the crest or middle have been eroded away.

anticline

Notice how the edge of the falls parallels the trace of the center of the anticline. Where the rock was broken, it provided a weak area in the rock. The moving water could more easily erode this rock and the rock downstream from the broken rock, creating this small waterfall.

Site 5: Cone-in-Cone Layer

At the layer forming the top of the waterfall, keep a very sharp eye out for exposed cone-in-cone concretions. You will now see the top side instead of the cross sections seen in the bluff along the lake. Look for round, slightly domed, circular objects with a surface marked by many small circles.

Cone

Please do not damage or disturb any of these exposed concretions. Help preserve them for the next person to see.
Proceed up the creek and round the bend to Site 6, keeping an eye out for the abundant trace fossils described at Site 3.

Site 6: Falls and Pool

Stretching across the creek at Site 6 is the crest of another anticline that actually may be a small fault. Look at the exposed west bank and the line of bent and broken rock can be seen. Note how the moving water has been able to more easily erode the broken rock through the stream-bed, creating a large pool. If not for this geologic structure, this set of falls and pool would not have formed here.

If you happen to be here when the steelhead trout and salmon are running, this pool may be full of very large fish, resting as they move up the stream.

Site 7: Diagonal Joint Structure

At this site, a waterfall and ledge cut diagonally across the stream. This is caused by a large set of cracks in the rock that can be seen at the base of the ledge. Cracks of this type are called joints and differ from faults in that no movement has occurred on either side of the joint. Just as with faults, joints create a weak place in hte rock where moving water can more easily pluck out rock from the stream bed.

Site 8:

This is another anticline exposed along the streambed.

Site 9: The Big Bend

If you look at how close the stream-cut wall is to the road, the potential for erosion to eventually undercut the road becomes obvious. During the stream’s flood stage, erosion along the bank can be severe. A particular geologic feature along the streambed will eventually solve this problem. The question is whether geologic time and human time will intersect soon enough. If you stand up on the bank along Kraus Trail, notice that the flow of water during regular stream level is along the inside of the bend. Normal flow patterns would put the flow on the outside of the bend.

Look closely at the inside of the bend where the water is flowing; a very small anticline can be seen. The water is flowing on the side of the fold that dips away from the bend. The rock has been slightly broken away, deepening the channel, keeping regular flow levels to the inside of the bend. If erosion continues to cut into the far side of the anticline, this new channel will enlarge and accommodate larger flows of water. Geologically, this could take several hundreds of years. Flood stage waters will still continue to erode the outside of the bend. The big question is if this shifting channel will cause enough change, in time to prevent further erosion to the bend that will threaten the road. Only time will tell.

Site 10: The Footbridge and Falls

If you started the trail at Site 1 and moved up to Site 10, the best scenery as saved for last. This waterfall and pool are the largest at Glinodo. The footbridge provides a convenient overlook to see this waterfall. Geologically, Site 10 is very similar to Site 6. However, the intensity of rock fracturing at the crest of the anticline is more severe, allowing more rock to be more easily eroded. It is possible that this is actually a fault. The low bank and overgrowth on the stream’s banks makes it difficult to tell if movement has actually occurred. The narrow band of disrupted rock and the intensity are very strong indicators that this is a fault.

The folded rock just below the falls is bent in the correct pattern for a normal fault. However, the water and streambed rubble hide the other side, making it difficult to tell what has happened. In spite of this, it is clear that a geologic structure has caused the formation of this scenic spot.

If you have the inclination, see if you can find any more geologic features on upstream to Route 5. There are also several small features down-stream that are not described in the trail guide. It’s your turn to see what you can find!

Since organizing in 1999, the Baker Creek Watershed has endeavored to promote good management practices along the waterway that bisects North East Borough. In addition to educational materials, the group has sponsored an annual Clean-Up with the cooperation of the Borough officials and local sponsors, including the Community Nurses, Bob Martin at State Farm Insurance, the Boston Bean Café, Boy Scout Troop #57, and PennDOT.

Baker Creek is represented on Pennsylvania Lake Erie Watershed Association (PLEWA), and participates in the September International Coastal Cleanup. Educational materials were provided to Earth Force and the North East Middle School’s Hooked on Fishing group.

Locally, the storm drains in the Borough will again be stenciled to indicate “Do not dump; drains to Lake Erie” with the assistance of the North East High School Ecology Club.

The first annual Baker Creek Beautification Award was presented to the O’Leary Dental Group for the restoration construction on the riparian area to the rear of their office.
Baker Creek Watershed Association meets quarterly, unless additional meetings are needed. All meetings are open to the public. If anyone wishes to be added to the mailing list, contact Diana Hatfield at the above address and phone.

Treasurer’s Report:

Fourmile Creek is a stream on the east side of the Erie urban area flowing through the municipalities of Greene, Harborcreek, Wesleyville and Lawrence Park (see map). From its headwaters to the mouth, this stream reaches approximately 8 miles in length. Its watershed encompasses 11.93 square miles, including densely developed areas from Route 5 southward to 38th St, then on southward becoming much more rural in character.

• PLEWA completed a Strategic Action Plan for PA’s Lake Erie drainage basin ranking water quality in 22 streams flowing into Lake Erie.
• Fourmile Creek is ranked as having the 4th lowest quality of these streams.
• Lower reaches of Fourmile Creek have slightly degraded or poor conditions.
• Benthic macroinvertebrate communities in its upper reaches are in good condition - Due largely to the fact that there are little or no non-point source pollution problems there.
• PLEWA subcommittee for Fourmile Creek has beenworking to make improvements.
• Partners include: PA Sea Grant, PA Coastal Zone Management program, the Wesleyville Conservation Club, and Penn State Behrend.

Stream Impediments

One of Fourmile’s most distinctive characteristics is that it includes numerous impediments in the stream.

• 2 Dams - one located near the mouth at the Lawrence Park Golf Course - one located immediately south of Station Road (see photos).
• 1 Waterfall approx. 5 ft tall - located about midpoint between Cooper Rd and I-90
• Concrete slab 1’ thick x 3’ wide along the entire breadth of the waterfall creating a 3rd dam-like structure.
• 1 Locomotive Ballast (large chunks of concrete partially encased in metal) at various locations in the lower reaches of the stream.
• This ballast may have originally been placed in the stream in an attempt to stabilize bank erosion or possibly to eliminate swimming holes to keep people out of the stream.

Efforts are now being discussed to remove or alter these impediments to return the stream to a more natural flow and to improve the ability of fish to swim from the mouth up to the upper reaches of the stream. Funds are being provided by the Iroquois School District (ISD), which is in the process of constructing a new school necessitating the realignment and piping of a small tributary to Fourmile Creek.

First Waterfall

ISD has been asked by the PA Department of Environmental Protection to pay $20,000 to mitigate the encapsulation of this waterway and half of that fee must be directly applied to improvements within Fourmile Creek.

Improvements

• Remove the dam at the Nacopoulos property near Station Road.
• Remove the cap on the concrete-covered waterfall located on the Penn State Behrend campus.
• Modify the golf course dam to allow fish passage.

Concrete Covered Waterfall

The PA Fish and Boat Commission (PA FBC) is working with ISD in obtaining the permits necessary for removal of these impediments and developing the design drawings necessary to bid this project to a local contractor. These two impediments removal projects are expected take place during summer of 2007. The PA FBC and the Lawrence Park Golf Club are working on proposed Fish ladders be installed at this dam and at the waterfall located between the dam and Route 5. PA Sea Grant is working with them to prepare grant applications for the purchase and installation costs. If funded, fish ladders would be installed in 2008.

With these improvements, the stream may return to a condition that will enable fish migration, benefitting the local tourism industry. But more importantly, these changes will clearly demonstrate that the Erie area cares about improving its quality of life by improving the quality of its environment.

Written by Dave Skellie, PA Sea Grant

In February 2002 the Baker Creek Watershed Association, in partnership with the Borough of North East, listed a series of environmental goals and objectives to be addressed, including the selection of a major improvement project. A structural assessment analysis of Baker Creek previously conducted revealed that the municipal parking lot was an area that could be improved. A proposal to control urban runoff non-point pollution in this lot led to the application for grants to help defray the costs of such a project.

A Coastal Zone grant helped cover the design fee with Dahlkemper’s Landscaping presenting the final drawings for approval in mid-2003. The incorporation of permeable pavement, infiltration galleys, catch basins with oil separators, riparian plantings, and a central planted area drew approvals during public comment sessions.

Funding assistance by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental’s Growing Greener program and Great Lakes Basin enabled the project implementation to proceed. A landscape grant from the Environmental Fund of Pennsylvania was put to use immediately to establish a small demonstration garden, to illustrate the vision for the larger municipal lot areas.

Finally underway in mid-May 2005 by Mayer Brothers Construction, the project benefited from good weather and close coordination of the construction by Hill Engineering. What you see here today is not a finished product: the street lights and landscaping will be installed shortly. Trees, funded by the North East Shade Tree Commission, will be planted in the appropriate season. The surrounding building owners have joined the effort and funded improvements that will enhance access, further increasing the effectiveness of this area.

Mission Statement:

The Baker Creek Watershed Association mission is to promote the restoration and conservation of the Baker Creek Watershed by assisting, developing, sponsoring activities pertaining to safety, waterflow, envrionmental, and aesthetic issues.

Baker Creek Description:

Baker Creek originates on the glacial ridge of the Lake Erie watershed and flows north through the Borough of North East. The first third of the flow is mostly pastoral, becoming “domesticated” as it defines back property borders in residential neighborhoods. A small portion of the creek flows alongside the municipal parking lot, under buildings, and under roadways. The creek exits the Borough as it flows into 16-Mile Creek, which empties into Lake Erie.

Phase I

The Baker Creek Watershed Association was organized in 2000 with a Pennsylvania Growing Greener grant. With this grant, and some in-kind funds, we advertised and held public meetings, some with speakers. We visited school classrooms, set up a traveling display around the community, developed a brochure, stenciled stormdrains, and generally “recruited” people for our cause.
Internally, we held an organizational meeting, established a steering committee, set an agenda, wrote a mission statement, adopted bylaws, compiled a history of the creek, and sent a representative to a statewide conference.

On site, we photographed the length of the project area of Baker Creek, inventoried the plant varieties, held a Clean-Up Day, and began site preparations for a Demonstration Project.

Phase II

We were fortunate enough to receive a second Pennsylvania Growing Greener grant for an engineering assessment of Baker Creek. Following field research on November 1, 2001, the engineering assessment was completed and presented to the Steering Committee on November 28, 2001. The information from the assessment was significant enough to begin planning for a community Demonstration Project in the public municipal parking lot, a source of considerable non-point source pollution.

As a result of the increased attention that the group was receiving, three independent riparian projects were completed along the creek, at the property owner?s expense.

Phase III

Again, with the assistance of a Pennsylvania Growing Greener grant, we were able to hire a professional Urban Environmental Landscape Architect to draw up plans for improvements to the Municipal Parking Lot. This plan will address management of considerable stormwater, urban runoff from the impervious surface of the parking lot, a riparian buffer on both sides of the creek, catch basins, and permeable areas throughout the lot. This design is currently underway, and several drafts having already been shown at public input meetings. Partners in this projected construction are the North East Area Chamber of Commerce, the North East Borough, the North East Shade Tree Commission, the North East Cultural Center, Boy Scout Troop 57, and the North East High School Ecology Club.

NOTE: We are not a 501(c)(3); therefore we partner with either the Borough (in the case of a municipality being eligible) or one of our affiliated environmental groups, in which we maintain memberships, to apply for grant funds.

Officers:

• John Hallenburg, Chairman
• Jody Timer, Vice-Chair
• Diana Hatfield, Secretary
• Tom Mack, Treasurer

Membership:

• Average attendance at meetings: 12
• Monthly mailing list: 30
• Products: Brochure and Display Board
• Resources: Library of materials

Contact Information:

• c/o 21 S. Lake Street
• North East PA 16428
• Phone: 814-725-4262
• FAX: 814-725-3994
• e-mail:nechamber at lakeside dot net