Waterworks Conservation Area

Facilities | Directions | Site Map

History

Artificial WetlandCurrently, a new site for the Indiana County Parks & Trails system is being developed.  The Waterworks Conservation Area is a 10-acre site located adjacent to Two Lick Creek, approximately 3 miles south of Indiana, Pennsylvania. The site was donated to Indiana County by Consol Energy.

The site is being developed under the direction of the Indiana County Conservation District, with major funding support from the PA Department of Environmental Protection, the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and community partners. Students from a planning design class at Indiana University of PA (IUP), under the direction of Dr. Whit Watts, completed a site plan for the Waterworks Conservation Area in February 2008.

The Waterworks Conservation Area combines recreational opportunities with an environmental remediation project.  These remediation efforts include an acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment facility and the construction of an artificial wetland.

The site is located on a portion of the former Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company Lucerne 3A deep mine. As a consequence of previous mining, there is an acidic mine Lime Dosing Silodischarge (stream) flowing into Two Lick Creek.

Shortly after World War II the mine was opened as a link between the Upper Freeport deep mine operations south of Two Lick Creek and the newer mines to the North. Physically the link was accomplished by a coal car trestle linking both sides of the creek. This was an active mine site for about 20 years. Today, the trestle abutments and piers are still prominent site features.

The AMD discharge has a flow rate of 100 gallons per minute and a pH of 2.7.  To treat this flow, a 75-ton lime dosing silo has been installed over the mine discharge.  Powered by water, premeasured amounts of hydrated lime are released into the stream, which will raise the pH of the water and help restore it to natural conditions.

The artificial wetland was constructed as part of the Clean Water Act’s “no net loss” clause.  Because of the loss of wetlands due to the expansion of Indiana County’s Jimmy Stewart Airport, artificial wetlands had to be created at another location. The Waterworks Conservation Area was selected as one of the remediation sites.

For more in-depth information about the Waterworks Conservation Area please read the Waterworks Conservation Area Brochure (PDF).

Facilities

Two Lick CreekThe Waterworks Conservation Area is currently under construction but it's planned facilities include:

  • Pavilion with observation deck overlooking Two Lick Creek
  • Canoe and kayak launch*
  • Fishing access to Two Lick Creek
  • Trail circuit around wetlands with interpretive signage
  • Path along Two Lick Creek
  • Public restroom and parking area

* If you plan on paddling the Two Lick Creek through Homer City please be aware that there is a low-head feeder dam near on the Two Lick near the Homer City power plant. The dam is located approximately 0.7 mi downstream from Neal Rd. There is an old railroad bridge approximately 0.1 mi before the dam. NEVER RUN A LOW-HEAD DAM! It may look easy but the recycled water can "keep" you under if you capsize!

Dam coordinates: 40o 30' 39.382" N and 79o 10' 57.588" W

Directions

A directional map is available for printing. Writen directions are not yet available.

Site Map

A very basic site overview map (PDF) is available. A more detailed map will be available after construction of the conservation site is complete.

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