There is very little cover or bottom structure in the Allegheny Reservoir. Aquatic plants and weeds have difficulty establishing themselves due to seasonal water level fluctuation. Since 1991, KFWA has placed 13,376 Christmas trees in the Allegheny Reservoir, in hopes of adding badly needed cover. These structures also make ideal spawning habitat for many species of fish; electro fishing sample data taken by US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) from around the cribs in 1993 and 1996 has shown dramatic results.
KFWA, in conjunction with Allegheny National Forest (ANF), collects discarded Christmas trees from community collection sites after the holidays. Federal prison inmates, from nearby FCI McKean, transport the trees to the work site and drill a hole in each trunk to accept the wire. KFWA members haul the trees to the reservoir's exposed shoreline via 4-wheel ATV, arrange nine trees in a small circle, wire them together, and anchor them with three concrete blocks (9 trees and 3 blocks makes one Christmas Tree Reef). This project is conducted during the winter months, when the reservoir pool level has been drawn down. In the spring, the rising water floods the trees, providing a safe haven for young-of-the-year fish. For a look at the complete history of Christmas Tree projects, click here.
We put in 1,370 tree's or 152 structures. Locations were Kinzua (Info) Point-56 structures , Chappel Bay- 38 structures, Willow Bay- 42 structures, Bent Run- 7structures , and the COE Boat Dock- 9 structures.
We put in 1,547 tree's or 171 structures. Locations were COE Boat Dock- 11 structures, Bent Run,- 9 structures, Small Bay north of Dewdrop Boat Launch- 24 structures, Kinzua Beach @ south end of parking lot- 30 structures, Willow Bay- 45 structures, and Chappel Bay- 52 structures.
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Last updated 10/26/02