Survey Freshwater Mussels And Eel Weirs During Emerging Leaders In Berks County Schuylkill River Paddle - Aug. 20, 27 & 28

Calling all Berks County environmental enthusiasts! Join the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Berks Nature for three paddles on the Schuylkill River to survey for freshwater mussels and eel weirs as part of the Emerging Leaders In Berks County Schuylkill River Paddle. 

The Paddle will be held August 20, 27 and 28.

Volunteers will spend the day paddling, wadding, and engaging in a hands-on opportunity with Delaware Riverkeeper Network advocacy and science staff to learn about the important relationship between eels and mussels from a reproductive perspective, and the historical importance of eel weirs found in the Schuylkill River.

Freshwater Mussels

For those interested and willing to take the plunge, we will have masks and snorkels available as we search for the elusive “pearly mussels” of the Schuylkill. 

These native clams have a unique and amazing life history, but they have suffered under the various alterations and pollution sources on the Schuylkill. 

Some beds of mussels remain in the Schuylkill, and our team hopes to find even more during our explorations on the Schuylkill.

Eel Weirs

Scientists, paddlers, and historians have been asking questions about strange V-shaped remnants on the bottom of the Schuylkill River for years.

These could be related to historic dams and canals that helped fuel America’s Industrial Revolution. 

But they likely have a more simple explanation:  catching fish! 

The native Lenni Lenape used “eel weirs” to capture and harvest migrating eels in the fall, and early European settlers were either taught or adopted this fishing technique from these Native American inventions

Our team of volunteers will investigate three such “V Weirs” lying just under the water’s surface in the Schuylkill River between Reading and Pottstown to examine their construction, the condition, and their possible origins.

Kayaks, paddles, and personal floatation devices will be provided

The Paddle is open to those ages 14 and older (minors must be accompanied by an adult). 

Check-in for each paddle will be at 8:00 a.m. and each day is expected to wrap up around 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Click Here to register and for more information.  Questions should be directed to: faith@delawareriverkeeper.org.

Visit the Berks County Activist-In-Training webpage for more information on this initiative by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Berks Nature.

(Photo: Eel weir in Susquehanna River at Danville, PA)

Resource Link - Emerging Leaders In Berks County:

-- Emerging Leaders In Berks County In-Person Workshop Oct. 18 At Berks Nature - The Nature Place In Reading  [PaEN]  

Resource Links - Eel Weirs:

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Dozens Of Ancient Eel Weirs Uncovered In Susquehanna River

-- UnchartedLancaster.com: Ancient Native American Eel Weirs Slumber Beneath The Waters Of The Susquehanna

-- Video: Eel Dam/Weir Archeological Site At Danville, PA In Susquehanna River

-- DEP Blog: Reuniting Eels & Mussels May Unlock Water Quality Improvements In The Susquehanna River [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- PennVEST Invests Up To $4.2 Million In Nutrient, Sediment Reduction Thru Clean Water Procurement Program  [PaEN] 

-- Rep. Vitali: PA House Environmental Committee Examines Costs And Environmental Impacts Of Burning Waste Coal In PA

-- PA Environmental Council StoryMap: Reforestation Of Abandoned Mine Lands In PA, 487,000 Seedlings Planted Since 2016 

-- Emerging Leaders In Berks County In-Person Workshop Oct. 18 At Berks Nature - The Nature Place In Reading  [PaEN] 

-- Survey Freshwater Mussels And Eel Weirs During Emerging Leaders In Berks County Schuylkill River Paddle - Aug. 20, 27 & 28  [PaEN] 

-- Elizabethtown College Dept. Of Biological & Environmental Sciences Volunteers Offer Expertise During Conewago Biodiversity Monitoring Event In Lancaster County  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Aug. 27 Green Infrastructure And Ordinances Webinar  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Twilight Pond Walks To Learn About Pond Ecology In Beaver, Centre, Mercer, Venango, Westmoreland Counties Starting Aug. 19  

-- Three Rivers Waterkeeper Appeals Calgon Corporation’s Wastewater Discharge Permit To Prevent PFAS 'Forever Chemical' Pollution Of The Ohio River  [PaEN] 

-- Brodhead Watershed Association: Protecting Clean Water Together - Thinking About Disaster 70 Years Later - The Flood Of 1955 In Monroe County  [PaEN] 

-- Brodhead Watershed Association: Water At Risk - Protecting The Heartland Of Woods And Water In Monroe County  [PaEN] 

-- Help Wanted: Berks Conservation District Engineer, Resource Conservation Technician Positions  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- PennLive Letter: Central PA Must Prepare For Potentially Catastrophic Flooding - By Julia Krall, Chesapeake Bay Foundation PA Executive Director

-- WNEP: Severe Rainstorm Leaves Several Communities In Scranton, Wilkes-Barre Area Damaged

-- Observer-Reporter: North Franklin Supervisors Considering Solutions To Flooding Issues In Washington County

-- Lancaster Farming: How And Why To Use A Rain Barrel On Your Homestead

-- WTAJ: Coalition To Save Old Crow Wetlands Cites Damage To Wetlands In Huntingdon From Rutter’s Store Construction 

-- Altoona Mirror Letter: DEP To Blame For Degradation Of Old Crow Wetlands By Issuing Deficient Permit For Rutter’s Market Near Huntingdon

[Posted: August 14, 2025]  PA Environment Digest