Wyalusing in Bradford County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Landscapes of Conservation
Photographed by Don Morfe, October 13, 2015
1. Landscapes of Conservation Marker
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Landscapes of Conservation. . As you drive through Bradford County you will see the patch-quilt of beauty of agriculture’s landscape. Agriculture in Bradford County has a long history of managing land and water resources to ensure both a profitable crop and a healthy environment. Below you will find explanations of conservation practices and natural resources seen from this vista and throughout the County.
1. Contour Strip Cropping , Contour strips add an artistic touch to our landscape. Crops that completely cover the soil are grown in alternating 100 foot wide strips with row crops. The grass strips slow runoff, decreasing soil erosion which occurs mostly where row crops leave soil exposed.
2. Diversions , Many hundreds of miles of diversion ditches have been installed in Bradford County. These permanently vegetated channels intercept surface water and slow runoff for transport in a non-erosive manner. Diversions are often constructed on long, sloping fields and up slope of building and animal holding area.
3. Barnyard Runoff Control , Runoff from barnyards will contain high amounts of sediment and nutrients. This runoff can be filters naturally through grass.
4. Manure Storage Systems , Manure storage facilities can be seen on farms all around the County. Storages improve efficiency by allowing farmers to spread manure when risk of runoff is low and crops can use the nutrients. Manure handling is often made simpler and cleaner.
5. Stream Buffers , Natural stream-side buffers add to the beauty of our streams. Corridors of vegetation including grasses, shrubs and trees provide wildlife cove while cooling water, naturally stabilizing banks and filtering sediment and nutrients in runoff.
6. Stream Bank Stabilization , Much of the sediment entering our waters comes from eroding stream banks. Rocks protect the river bank from erosion at his public boat access in Terrytown. Many stream banks with rock or concrete protection can be seen on your drive through Bradford County.
7. Forestry , The forest is one of Bradford County’s most prized natural resources. 50% of the land in Bradford County is forested. Most of this is privately owned, making landowner education of prime importance. Pennsylvania is a world leader in hardwood timber production and sales including native species of maple, ash, cherry, and oak.
The “Mighty Susquehanna”…Travels 447 miles and drains 13 million acres of Otsego Lake near Cooperstown, New York to Harve de Grace, Maryland, where it enters the Chesapeake Bay. Provides 50% of the Chesapeake Bay’s fresh water at about 20 million gallons per minute. Drains every field, forest, street and backyard in Bradford County.
The Chesapeake Bay, one of America’s richest ecosystems, is depended upon for water, income and recreation. The Bay’s health is determined by each resident, developer and land manager in the watershed.
As you drive through Bradford County you will see the patch-quilt of beauty of agriculture’s landscape. Agriculture in Bradford County has a long history of managing land and water resources to ensure both a profitable crop and a healthy environment. Below you will find explanations of conservation practices and natural resources seen from this vista and throughout the County.
1. Contour Strip Cropping Contour strips add an artistic touch to our landscape. Crops that completely cover the soil are grown in alternating 100 foot wide strips with row crops. The grass strips slow runoff, decreasing soil erosion which occurs mostly where row crops leave soil exposed.
2. Diversions Many hundreds of miles of diversion ditches have been installed in Bradford County. These permanently vegetated channels intercept surface water and slow runoff for transport in a non-erosive manner. Diversions are often constructed on long, sloping fields and up slope of building and animal holding area.
3. Barnyard Runoff Control Runoff from barnyards will contain high amounts of sediment and nutrients. This runoff can be filters naturally through grass.
4. Manure Storage Systems Manure storage facilities can be seen on farms all around the County. Storages improve efficiency by allowing farmers to spread manure when risk of runoff is low and crops can use the nutrients. Manure handling is often made simpler and cleaner.
5. Stream Buffers Natural stream-side buffers add to the beauty of our streams. Corridors of vegetation including grasses, shrubs and trees provide wildlife cove while cooling water, naturally stabilizing banks and filtering sediment and nutrients in runoff.
6. Stream Bank Stabilization Much of the sediment entering our waters comes from eroding stream banks. Rocks protect the river bank from erosion at his public boat access in Terrytown. Many stream banks with rock or concrete protection can be seen on your drive through Bradford County.
7. Forestry The forest is one of Bradford County’s most prized natural resources. 50% of the land in Bradford County is forested. Most of this is privately owned, making landowner education of prime importance. Pennsylvania is a world leader in hardwood timber production and sales including native species of maple, ash, cherry, and oak.
The “Mighty Susquehanna”…*Travels 447 miles and drains 13 million acres of Otsego Lake near Cooperstown, New York to Harve de Grace, Maryland, where it enters the Chesapeake Bay. *Provides 50% of the Chesapeake Bay’s fresh water at about 20 million gallons per minute. *Drains every field, forest, street and backyard in Bradford County.
The Chesapeake Bay, one of America’s richest ecosystems, is depended upon for water, income and recreation. The Bay’s health is determined by each resident, developer and land manager in the watershed.
Erected by Bradford
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County Conservation District, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Endless Mountain Heritage Region.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Environment.
Location. 41° 41.502′ N, 76° 16.358′ W. Marker is in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, in Bradford County. It is on Grand Army of the Republic Hwy (US 6). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wyalusing PA 18853, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Communities Connected by Water (here, next to this marker); Warriors Path (within shouting distance of this marker); Wyalusing (approx. 1½ miles away); Raymond W. Baker (approx. 1.7 miles away);
3. Landscapes of Conservation Marker-Mighty Susquehanna River
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 359 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 12, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
