CREEK QUERY: Roscoe Brown, who has lived on the bank of Foster
Brook at Fairview Heights since 1951, has seen a lot of changes in
the quality of the water. And he has a question.

He writes, “In 1951, and for many years after, water flooding
was in full bloom, and many bbls. of produced water went down the
stream daily. In fact, every morning, you would hear all the powers
starting up, and shortly after that, water levels started to rise.
It drastically changed the chemical ratios of the water.”

“The water was off color and had a nasty odor. In spite of that,
the stream was literally alive with minnows and crabs, etc. That
was our supply for fishing. A couple dips with a net, and you had
all the bait you needed.

“Now things are different – the water is clear as a bell.

“Also, it has no odor and looks like a beautiful trout stream.
The difference now, it is sterile. You can’t find any sign of life
whatsoever. Does anyone know? Is the ph low because of acid rain,
or is it a lack of oxygen or what? I’m sure someone knows and can
answer my question.”

We’re hoping someone can answer Roscoe’s very interesting
question. Give us a call.

BEAR TRACKS: Not to scare anyone, but a Bradford man on a recent
fishing trip to Canada returned with a newspaper showing a woman’s
72 staples in her leg after a bear attack.

Krissy Harvey of Coninston told the Sudbury (Ont.) Star she was
taking her Rottweiler out at 1:45 a.m. and walked around to the
back of her truck where she was attacked. Lucky for her dog,
though. When the bear had her on the ground, the dog went after it
and the bear took off.

She had four deep gashes on her leg.

Harvey told the newspaper they have called the Ministry of
Natural Resources many times noting, “The bears are getting
braver.”

Game officials came and set a couple traps, gave her information
about bears and bells to wear outside.

Most of the information in the article was identical to what
Pennsylvania Game Commission tells local residents about bears:
Don’t leave out any potential food items, back away quietly if you
see a bear, and be sure not to obstruct its line of escape.