Due to a speaker’s cancellation, there will be no December Meeting.
Links
November Meeting Minutes
Minutes for the Thursday Nov 14th meeting can be found here: LJRA Meeting November 14, 2024
September minutes
The minutes from the Sept 12th 2024 meeting can be downloaded here.
Riparian buffer restoration project
The LJRA replaced vegetation on Sept 7th that was destroyed when a sewer pipe was repaired across Sandy Run, an important tributary of the J. Trees were planted by 18 volunteers. Thank you to Angie for organizing and arranging for the delivery of trees.
Meeting Thursday August 8th
8PM Mazoni’s in Altoona.
Agenda:
- Results of recent electrofishing surveys conducted by PAFBC on the Little Juniata River in July
- Improved cold water availability for Bells Gap Run – Bill A.
- Status of storm water quality monitoring – Gary Miller/Angie Spagnoli
- Bellwood Antis trail stream bank protection project – Angie Spagnoli
- Riparian improvements for recent sewer line and water line excavations
Goods new for the LJRA watershed
Bells Gap run is a significant tributary to the LJRA. It’s potential to support a cold water fishery was limited by top release from the reservoir’s dam. We received the excellent news that the old dam was replaced with one that will allow for bottom release from the Bells Gap Reservoir. The LJRA has been encouraging the Altoona Water Authority (AWA) to provide for bottom release of this, and other, dams in the watershed. You can read Mark Nale’s reporting of the change and additional information using the following links:
Upcoming meetings
There will be no July meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for August 8th at 7PM. Agenda to be published closer to the date
Eric Oliver selected for 2024 Friend of the River Award
Eric Oliver received the 2024 Friend of the River Award at the LJRA banquet held on June 8th. Eric has been involved in and led many water monitoring projects in the watershed, including at Bells Gap Run and at the Rutter’s construction site. His monitoring efforts at the Rutter’s site are particularly noteworthy and have led to fines and corrections during its construction. He was instrumental in writing grants to fund the monitoring effort. Congratulations, Eric, and we are lucky to have such a dedicated friend of the river.
June Meeting
The minutes from the June Meeting can be downloaded here.
Rest In Peace John Bennis
We are sad to announce that former Director of the LJRA John Bennis, formally of Hollidaysburg, has passed away after a courageous battle against cancer at the age of 69. John was a dedicated member of the board and a strong supporter of the LJRA. He was an early Director who gave willingly of his time and energy to improve the river. We will miss him.
You can read his obituary here https://www.richardsonfs.com/obituary/John-Bennis