Blue Hole Creek found with high lead levels

[ChuckofWagon]

https://triblive.com/local/regional...e-drinking-level-found-in-laurel-ridge-creek/

Apparently the source of the very high lead levels has been determined, but not publicly disclosed. Blue Hole feeds into Laurel Hill Creek and ultimately into the Yough.

 

[riverwhy]

I have wondered what
Kind of lead contamination gun ranges are causing.

 

[jifigz]

I have wondered what
Kind of lead contamination gun ranges are causing.

I'm sure a lot..I can think of some sporting clays courses that have all trees and vegetation dead and dying. High shot shell areas like that should require non-toxic shot in my opinion.

 

[Broodstock]

I read this when the MWA posted about it. It’s unbelievable that the EPA or DCNR knew about it for so long before it was disclosed. Anecdotally I’ve had way less success on that creek in the last couple years compared to 10-15 years ago. I stopped going. Wonder if this is why. Photo from a while back on blue hole.

 

[riverwhy]

I know of one cabin on a tributary of fishing creek where most of the vegetation is dead from shooting clays off the deck. I am sure there are many others like it. It would be difficult to enforce on private property. I wonder if sportsman's clubs have any rules on their own properties or if they promote education about these issues among their members?

 

[Forestfishin]

I read this when the MWA posted about it. It’s unbelievable that the EPA or DCNR knew about it for so long before it was disclosed. Anecdotally I’ve had way less success on that creek in the last couple years compared to 10-15 years ago. I stopped going. Wonder if this is why. Photo from a while back on blue hole.

I’ve noticed the same. Was there a few weeks back with my son and commented how dead the stream seems now. It has been that way for a few years.

 

[JGR]

I've fished Blue Hole Creek a few times a year since 1996. It's been a favorite of mine and I've had many good days there. However, its brook trout population has declined significantly over the last 5-6 years as others mentioned. I had attributed the poor fishing to consistent early season flooding followed by summer drought in the Laurel Highlands during the same period.

I have no idea if it's the source of the lead but, the sporting clays facility is on the east slope of Laurel Mountain 1 mile from the stream per Goggle Maps.

Losing Blue Hole Creek to pollution is more than troubling.

From October 2024--three fish in 4 hours of careful fishing: