A journey down the West Branch tells the tale of lumbering in Pennsylvania, from the early lumber mills to today's sustainable forests. As you float downstream you will see the legacy of lumber; the "rafting points" used by river pilots to navigate the dangerous waters, abandoned railroads, and miles of renewable forest, If you listen carefully enough you may hear elk bugle, bald eagles screech, or the ghosts of log drivers and rafters calling to each other.
To safely assist you in your journey, consult the West Branch Susquehanna River Trail Map and Guide book. The Guide includes safety and route information, along with detailed maps showing the historic rafting points, natural resources, and recreational opportunities in each of the sections. The Guide is available from the Lumber Heritage Region at www.lumberheritage.org.
For more recreation and visitor information contact the local county tourism offices:
· Indiana County - http://www.visitindianacountypa.org/ -1-877-7INDIANA · Clearfield County - http://www.visitclearfieldcounty.org/ - 1-866-GOWILDS · Clinton County - http://www.clintoncountyinfo.com/ 1-888-358-5466 · Lycoming County - http://www.vacationpa.com/ - 1-800-358-9900
Remember, rivers are unpredictable and can change at any time. Follow all water safety precautions and wear a personal flotation devise at all times.
Pioneers of LoggingIn the 1750s the first small scale lumbering began in Pennsylvania. These sawmills operated seasonally and supplied local neds, but also shipped wood down rivers and streams as lumber rafts.
Spars and SticksIn the 1830s, sawmills along the West Branch were supplied by logs or "sticks", that were cut and floated downriver - either as part of a raft or as scattered logs in a "drive" that would be captured by a boom placed across the river. The straightest stock were used as masts, or "spars", in the Chesapeake Bay shipbuilding industry.Bark Peelers and Lumber BaronsFrom 1864 to 1941 the logging railroad was the principal means of hauling timber. The railroads hauled mostly hemlock, which was used for leather tanning and lumber. Because of the efficiency of the railroads, Pennsylvania's forests were nearly cleared by the 1930s.Forest ConservationDecades of clearing forests eventually eroded soil, which increased sediments in the West Branch and downstream to the Chesapeake Bay. Efforts were made to control wildfires, erosion and the depletion of forest resources. The PA Bureau of Forestry, the U.S. Forest Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps had the largest roles in restoring and protecting the state's forests.Second Forest and a Sustainable ApproachAfter World War II, Pennsylvania's "new" hardwood forests replaced the white pine and hemlock forests, and sustainable forestry practices emerged. Sustainable management keeps land in forest use, fosters cleaner rivers and more wildlife, and makes Pennsylvania the nation's leading producer of hardwoods, while over half of the state (17 million acres) remains forested.
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