106 ORTMANN— THE DESTRUCTION OF [April 23, 



a number of important tributaries, running about parallel to each 

 other from the east to the west into the Allegheny. These are 

 (from south to north) : Crooked Creek, Mahoning Creek, ^ Red 

 Bank-Sandy Lick Creek and Clarion River. Crooked Creek is 

 good, indeed, one of the best creeks in the state, yet in the region 

 of its headwaters pollution begins. Near Creekside, Indiana County, 

 new mines have been opened during the last years, and a small 

 tributary discharges here a considerable amount of mine water into 

 Crooked Creek, killing the fauna for several miles. Of course this 

 is bound to become worse in the future. Mahoning Creek is utterly 

 polluted, the pollution beginning in the region of Punxsutawney in 

 Jefferson County, and consisting chiefly of mine water. Yet a tribu- 

 tary. Little Mahoning Creek in northern Indiana County, has clear 

 water, and correspondingly a rich fauna. Red Bank-Sandy Lick 

 Creek also is polluted, chiefly by mine water, which reaches it from 

 the numerous mines existing in its drainage basin. Clarion River 

 possibly is one of the worst streams in the state. In the region of 

 its headwaters, in Elk County, it is not mine water, but the refuse 

 of various establishments, such as wood-pulp mills, tanneries, chem- 

 ical factories {Elk Creek), which renders the water unfit for life, 

 and finally Tohy Creek, emptying into it in the southwestern portion 

 of Elk County, adds its share in the form of mine water. The 

 water of Clarion River, in this region, is black like ink, and retains 

 its peculiar color all the way down to where it empties into the 

 Allegheny (at Foxburg) ; here the deep blackish brown color of the 

 Clarion River water contrasts sharply with the bluish green water 

 of the Allegheny River. 



{e) French Creek Drainage. — In contrast to most of the streams 

 mentioned so far, French Creek and its tributaries are generally 

 clear and possess a wonderfully rich fauna. In fact, this region is 

 one of the best collecting grounds for all forms of fresh-water life. 

 French Creek is fed by several streams draining some of our glacial 

 lakes — Conneaut Lake in Crawford County, and Conneauttee Lake 

 and Lake Lehccuf in Erie County. Also these have clear water and 

 a rich fauna. 



(/) The Upper Allegheny. — Above Oil City, Venango County, 



"Not to be confounded with Mahoning River in Lawrence County. 



