PVTU STREAM PROJECT

Installing Stream Fencing for the Dairy Cows on Longacre Farm.

About nine years ago the Perkiomen Valley (PVTU) and Tulpehocken chapters of Trout Unlimited built fencing along the West Branch of the Perkiomen to prevent the Longacre Farm dairy cows from churning up the mud in the stream bed. The aquatic life including trout depend on the stone lined bottom. At that time the fencing was detoured into the stream for a few yards to allow the cows access to water. Over time we learned that placing the water access at the bend in the stream was a mistake. So Last week PVTU President, Barry Edward announced:

“We are planning a workday for this Saturday, June 27th at the Longacre farm to move the watering section of the fence (a section of the fence that goes over the stream so the cattle have access to water) about 50 yards downstream to reduce the regular maintenance required by its present location. Mike, Dave and I met with Jim Longacre to look at the site, and the work required, earlier this week. In fact, several of the posts in the existing area had been dislodged by the stream (again!) and Jim's cattle had gotten through the fence. We really need to get this fixed.

This is going to be much more than a regular maintenance project and we are going to need as many hands as we can get in order to tackle this project. Its a beautiful little stream, through a nice meadow, on a farm who's owner realizes what he has and is willing to work with us to help protect and preserve it.”

About 10 PVTU members responded to Barry’s plea for help. Since I like to watch my friends work hard, I took Rt 29 hoping to arrive at the Farm along Rt 100 near Barsto early Saturday morning. But PennDot put up detour signs along Rt 29, so I ended up wondering around lovely country roads instead. When I finally arrived at the farm the men had already closed the old watering section and were clearing the brush for the new fence posts.

Mike Lindenmuth & Nick Fries

CLEARING BRUSH