Shikellamy State Park
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- For other meanings of 'Shikellamy', please see Shikellamy (disambiguation).
| Shikellamy State Park | |
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| Pennsylvania State Park | |
| Natural Monument (IUCN III) | |
 The entrance to Shikellamy State Park's scenic overlook
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| Named for: Shikellamy | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Counties | Northumberland, Union |
| Townships | Upper Augusta, Union |
| Location | [1] |
| - coordinates | Coordinates: |
| - elevation | 705 ft (214.9 m) [1] |
| Area | 132 acres (53.4 ha) |
| Overlook | 1960 |
| - Marina | 1972 |
| Managed by | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Nearest city | Sunbury, Pennsylvania |
  Location of Shikellamy State Park in Pennsylvania
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| Website : Shikellamy State Park | |
Shikellamy State Park is a 132 acre (0.53 km²) Pennsylvania State Park located at the confluence of the West Branch Susquehanna River and North Branch Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is divided into two sections. The older part, on a bluff on the western bank of the river, is the 78 acre (0.32 km²) Shikellamy overlook in Union Township, Union County. The newer part is the 54 acre (0.21 km²) marina on the southern end of Packer Island in Upper Augusta Township, Northumberland County. Packer's Island lies between the city of Sunbury and the borough of Northumberland at the confluence of the two branches of the river.
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[edit] History
Shikellamy State Park is named in honor of Shikellamy, an Iroquois chief. Chief Shikellamy played a major role in the history of the frontier in Pennsylvania. He was a friend of the Native Americans and the American Colonists of the 18th century. Shikellamy's village was located near where the overlook section of the park is today.
Shikellamy State Park was opened in two different phases. First the overlook was opened for visitors in 1960, followed by the marina for boaters in 1972.[2]
[edit] Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam
The Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam (also the Sunbury Fabridam or Fabri Dam) is the world's longest inflatable dam and it impounds the Susquehanna River.[3] The dam is located just below the confluence of the West and North Branches of the Susquehanna, between the towns of Shamokin Dam and Sunbury.
The dam is 2,100 feet (640 m) long. When it is raised in the summer, it creates the 3,000-acre (12 km²) Lake Augusta, which is used for recreation.[4] The dam and lake are part of Shikellamy State Park.
The dam was named for Adam T. Bower, Chief Clerk of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1967-68 and Director of Services during the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention of 1967-68, by Act 2001-5 of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[5]
There are plans underway to add a fish ladder to the dam. The fish ladder is primarily to allow the American shad to access the upper part of the Susquehanna.[4]
[edit] Shamokin Dam
On this site there was the earlier Shamokin Dam. This dam maintained an adequate water level for ferry traffic across the Susquehanna from Shamokin (now Sunbury) to the west bank. It was destroyed in March, 1904 by the breakup of 22 inches (56 cm) of ice in the spring thaw. This is the dam that the west bank town of Shamokin Dam is named after.
There is another, existing, low head dam 1.2 miles (1.9 km) down stream, for the Shamokin Dam Power Plant
[edit] Recreation
[edit] Scenic Views
Shikellamy Overlook offers two scenic overlooks. They are 360 feet (110 m) above the confluence of the West Branch Susquehanna River and North Branch Susquehanna River. One can get a view of the northern and western rivers as well as a bird's-eye view of Northumberland, Sunbury, and Hummels Wharf.[2]
[edit] Hiking
Both sections of the park have a hiking trail. At the overlook there is a one-mile (1.6 km) nature trail. Careful hikers will get the chance to observe some wildlife. They might see white-tail deer, many different songbirds and a wide variety of wildflowers. Hikers can also observe the development of forests at the overlook. The forest changes from scrub forest to mature hardwood forest. The marina is encircled by paved walking paths for those interested in taking a walk along the river and marina.[2]
[edit] Rowing
In the early to mid 1800s, the construction of a dam across the Susquehanna River, just south of the city of Sunbury, produced a lake known as Lake Augusta. In 1874 a group of rowers (log raftmen and shad fishermen) from Shamokin Dam and Sunbury competed in a regatta on Lake Augusta, rowing in both singles and doubles. The rowers from Shamokin Dam were victorious that day, winning a barrel of flour, gold sleeve buttons and a silver cup, while the rowers from Sunbury vowed to win in the next year. The most popular event of the day was a "tub"race in which the same rowers sat in wash tubs and paddled over a shorter course.[citation needed]
The sport of rowing became a popular sport in central Pennsylvania, and in 1888 a National Association of Amateur Oarsmen Championship was held on the Lake Augusta. Rowers traveled from as far away as Canada and the Midwest to compete, and reportedly, thousands of spectators lined the banks of the river. The number of spectators was so great, the railroad companies rerouted trains to accommodate the throngs of people.[citation needed]
Rowing in Central Pennsylvania was popular until an ice surge in 1904 demolished the dam that made conditions ideal for the sport. In 1968, a new inflatable dam was installed that allowed rowing to slowly return. By the early 1980s Bucknell University had established a crew team, and by the early 1990s Susquehanna University had its own team. Near the end of the last century, a masters rowing club, the Central Pennsylvania Rowing Association, was founded. The college teams and masters club now share a boat house on Lake Augusta near the junction of Routes 11 and 15, just north of Shamokin Dam.[citation needed]
[edit] Marina
Shikellamy Marina is on the Susquehanna River. The world's largest inflatable dam is three miles (5 km) downstream from the park. This dam forms Lake Augusta with the banks of the river. Lake Augusta is 3,600 acres (15 km²). The purpose of the dam is to provide recreational boating. The river/lake is usually at about 6 feet (1.8 m) in depth at this point.[2]
[edit] Boating
Boating is very popular at Shikellamy State Park. The river is busy with recreational boaters and water skiing enthusiasts. All types of boats are permitted, provided that are properly registered with the state.[2]
[edit] Fishing
Fishing is a major attraction at Shikellamy State Park. The Susquehanna River is the home of a wide variety of game fish. Anglers will find largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappies, catfish, walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge in the waters of Shikellamy State Park[2]
[edit] Picnics
There are many picnic tables available for picnicking spread throughout Shikellamy State Park.[2]
[edit] Hunting and Camping
Hunting and Camping are not permitted at Shikellamy State Park.[2]
[edit] Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Shikellamy State Park:[6] [7][8]
- Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area (Dauphin County)
- McCalls Dam State Park (Centre County)
- Milton State Park (Northumberland County)
- Ravensburg State Park (Clinton County)
- R. B. Winter State Park (Union County)
- Sand Bridge State Park (Union County)
- Susquehanna State Park (Lycoming County)
- Swatara State Park (Lebanon and Schuylkill Counties)
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Shikellamy State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (August 2, 1979). Retrieved on 2007-12-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Shikellamy State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-10-17.
- ^ Adam T. Bower Dam. Retrieved on 2006-07-29.
- ^ a b Finnerty, John (2005-05-07). State to fix inflatable dam. The Daily Item. Retrieved on 2006-07-15.
- ^ HOUSE BILL No. 678 Session of 2001. Retrieved on 2006-07-29.
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division. 2007 General Highway Map Montour County and Northumberland County Pennsylvania [map], 1:65,000. Retrieved on 2007-07-28. Note: shows Shikellamy State Park (Marina)
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division. 2007 General Highway Map Snyder County and Union County Pennsylvania [map], 1:65,000. Retrieved on 2007-07-28. Note: shows Shikellamy State Park (Overlook)
- ^ Michels, Chris (1997). "Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation". Northern Arizona University. Retrieved on 2008-04-23.
[edit] External links
