Water Trail Project

The Shenango River Watchers, Inc. (SRW), in cooperation with both the Jamestown and Greenville Lions, and with the support of the Boroughs of Greenville and Jamestown and the Greenville Water Authority, are ready to undertake the following project on the Shenango River. We intend to begin this work in late spring, 2011.

Employing the firm of Meadville Land Services, Inc., a fully insured and responsible wetlands restoration firm, we intend to reopen the channel of the Shenango River of the Large Woody Debris (“LWD”) now obstructing it. The first phase of removal, some 49 major obstructions, will be from just below the dam in Pymatuning State Park to Greenville’s Riverside Park.

Later, we will continue this work from Greenville downstream to Lake Shenango Reservoir, more or less.

The purpose of this effort is to make the river useable again to paddle craft and small boats, thereby making it safe for these same craft. It will modestly increase the stream flow velocity to benefit Greenville’s principal source of domestic water, and reduce the potential of flooding from debris blocking the river.

When completed, one will be able to float the river for approximately 26 miles in comfort and safety. Concurrent with completion, we will enroll this “reach” into Pennsylvania’s existing Water Trail system, bringing now lost recreational dollars to our community.

Our proposed water trail has been carefully studied, beginning with a Feasibility Study done to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resource’s standards. This included a public meeting held at Thiel College on November 8, 2008. The PA Department of Environmental Protection has approved the scope of the work. Various state and federal agencies have determined that no endangered species is negatively affected.

Finally, there is, of course, no cost to any of the the landowners along the river.

More detailed information is available here. If you have questions, please feel free to call us at 724-342-5453.

Sharon Bicentennial Park

In 2006 the Shenango River Watchers (SRW) recognized a need to improve the condition and access to the public river area of downtown Sharon. We sought out to study the concept and with the aid of matching funds from our organization, local businesses, individuals, and the City of Sharon Beautification Commission, SRW applied for and received a Pennsylvania DCNR Grant to conduct a professional study and plan for the rehabilitation of the City of Sharon’s Bicentennial Park and adjacent riverbank.

The planning process has concluded in 2010 with the Bicentennial Park Master Site Plan that was prepared by HHSDR, a local architectural firm. The Master Site Plan is a detailed presentation involving recommendations for a variety of the features to enhance this area along the Shenango River.

A complete version of the plan can be viewed on the attached link. Please have a look. With the professional plan complete, the process can now be advanced to the next phase, which includes seeking funding and acting on the recommended and needed improvements by the interested stakeholders. We at SRW look forward to working to move these plans into actions as we are able.