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‘Then and now’: Susquehanna is a landscape flowing with history

At approximately 340 million years old, the Susquehanna River is older than the Nile, the Thames and the Amazon rivers, spanning 672 miles across three states. It’s no wonder that over time, people in central Pennsylvania and beyond have returned to the river to celebrate its history and ...

Ducks are back in the landscape

In October, two groups welcome the sound of wings over the waters of our land: birders and duck hunters. The sight of the brightly-colored drakes and their duller-plumaged hens floating on wooded streams, flowing rivers and marshy ponds lifts our spirits. While most people know at least the ...

State of the Susquehanna: a closer look at our river

The Susquehanna River. If you live anywhere in central Pennsylvania, you have a connection, probably more than one, to the river. It stretches over 444 miles from Cooperstown, New York to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. The majority of the river runs right through the heart of Pennsylvania, draining the state’s largest watershed, providing fresh water, electricity and recreational opportunities to tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians. The first European to explore the Susquehanna River, named for the Susquehannock people that inhabited its lower regions, was Etienne Brule in 1615. ...

Williamsport fish ladder still hampered by some gate issues

The Williamsport fish passageway, a mechanical gated ladder system that allows fish to pass around the dam on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River near Hepburn Street, is still not operational due to gate malfunctions that have lingered throughout the spring and summer months. “The crew tried freeing the gate again today with recommendations from the gate manufacturer but were unsuccessful,” said Luke Ulsamer, of DCNR-Tiadaghton, which oversees the structure’s operation and maintenance, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. “I’ll need to consult with our team to figure out a ...

PFBC encourages anglers, boaters to take advantage of fall and winter

HARRISBURG — During its quarterly business meeting, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission encouraged anglers and boaters to take advantage of the many fall and winter fishing and boating opportunities available across the Commonwealth and reminded everyone to make safety a priority while enjoying the water. Board vice president and District 2 Commissioner John Mahn, Jr. reminded anglers and boaters about the annual cold weather life jacket requirement that begins on Nov. 1, 2024, and lasts through April 30, 2025. “Especially during this early portion of the cold weather ...

Check station for elks allow people to see large animals up close

Mercy Melo isn’t exactly sure why check stations are so popular among residents during hunting season. All the Wildlife management supervisor for the Northcentral Region of the Game Commission knows is that numerous people show up every year for the annual events. The week of Nov. 4-9 is ...