Spruce Street RESTORATION

The Quittapahilla Creek Restoration Project occurred adjacent to Spruce Street in Annville, PA, just before where the road and Quittie Creek Nature Park trail intersect.

Project Location

 

This project was initiated by the Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited (DFTU) as a Habitat Restoration project.

About

  • The stream is popular with anglers and comprises one of PA Fish and Boat Commission’s Keystone Select Stocked Trout Streams. 

  • The Lebanon County Conservation District works to reduce erosion from lands in the watershed, as well as used CAP funding to power this project.

  • DFTU used the grant funding to restore 834 linear feet of the Quittapahilla Creek directly downstream from Spruce Street bridge.

  • The Quittapahilla Watershed Association completed a Watershed Implementation Plan to guide in-stream and streamside projects directed at the Quittie.

  • Letters of Support for this project came from:

    • Annville Township

    • Lebanon Countywide Action Plan (CAP)

    • Lebanon County Conservation District (LCCD)

    • Quittapahilla Watershed Association (QWA)

    • Lebanon County Planning Department

Before RESTORATION

Below is the Quittapahilla Creek in its initial state before the restoration initiative in 2022. The photographs depict steep, eroded banks, and poor habitat for native wildlife.

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DURING RESTORATION

Below is the progress in the Quittapahilla Restoration in 2024. Featuring the implementation of modified mudsills, log vanes, digger logs, and bank grading on both sides of the stream.

All construction was done by Aquatic Resources Restoration Company (ARRC). 

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AFTER Restoration

Depicted is the Quittapahilla, after the restoration efforts (photographed in 2025). Continuous efforts to continue to improve impaired waterways is essential to stream health.

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Why This matters

  • The creek watershed was designated “impaired” by PADEP in 2022. The cause of impairment was due to siltation (i.e., sediment), pathogens, and flow regime modification because of agriculture and urban runoff.

  • In 2000, Total Maximum Daily Load evaluation showed the stream as impaired with deposited sediment.

  • By reducing bank erosion and increasing water velocity, excessive sediments should be redistributed (reduced sediment transport).

  • This project aimed to improve riparian, fish and invertebrate habitat by installing best management practices (BMPs)

In conclusion

The Quittapahilla Creek restoration project demonstrates the power of partnership in protecting and restoring our local waterways.

Through collaboration between local, state, and federal partners significant improvements have been made.

Together, we are bringing life back to the Quittie.