Susquehanna State Park (Pennsylvania)

Geobox Protected Area
name = Susquehanna State Park
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category_local = Pennsylvania State Park
category_iucn = III


image_caption = The "Hiawatha" paddlewheeler in the West Branch Susquehanna River at Susquehanna State Park
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = West Branch Susquehanna River
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region_type = County
region = Lycoming
district_type =
district =
city = Williamsport
city1 =
location =
lat_d = 41
lat_m = 13
lat_s = 21
lat_NS = N
long_d = 77
long_m = 04
long_s = 58
long_EW = W
location_note = cite web
url=Gnis3|1212566
title="Susquehanna State Park"
date = October 1 1989
work=Geographic Names Information System
publisher=United States Geological Survey
accessdate=2007-12-16]
elevation_imperial = 518
elevation_round = 1
elevation_note =
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 20
area_round = 1
area1_imperial =
area1_type =
length_imperial =
length_orientation =
width_imperial =
width_orientation =
highest =
highest location =
highest_lat_d =
highest_lat_m =
highest_lat_s =
highest_lat_NS =
highest_long_d =
highest_long_m =
highest_long_s =
highest_long_EW =
highest_elevation_imperial =
lowest =
lowest_location =
lowest_lat_d =
lowest_lat_m =
lowest_lat_s =
lowest_lat_NS =
lowest_long_d =
lowest_long_m =
lowest_long_s =
lowest_long_EW =
lowest_elevation_imperial =
biome =
biome_share =
biome1 =
biome1_share =
geology =
geology1 =
plant =
plant1 =
animal =
animal1 =
established_type =
established = 1961
established1_type =
established1 =
management_body = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
management_location =
management_lat_d =
management_lat_m =
management_lat_s =
management_lat_NS =
management_long_d =
management_long_m =
management_long_s =
management_long_EW =
management_elevation =
visitation =
visitation_year =
free_type =
free =
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Susquehanna State Park in Pennsylvania
map_locator = Pennsylvania
map_first =
website = [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/STATEPARKS/PARKS/susquehanna.aspx Susquehanna State Park]

Susquehanna State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Williamsport in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The 20 acre (0.08 km²) park is on the West Branch Susquehanna River in the western part of Williamsport, and is operated by the Williamsport / Lycoming Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Bureau of State Parks of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Susquehanna State Park offers cruises on a paddlewheeler, boating, fishing, and picnicking.

History

The park land was originally part of the West Branch Division of the Pennsylvania Canal, which ran along the left bank of the West Branch from Susquehanna River from Northumberland to Lock Haven. The canal was in operation here from October 15, 1834 to July 1, 1889, when a major flood destroyed it.cite book | last = Meginness | first = John Franklin | title = "History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania: including its aboriginal history; the colonial and revolutionary periods; early settlement and subsequent growth; organization and civil administration; the legal and medical professions; internal improvement; past and present history of Williamsport; manufacturing and lumber interests; religious, educational, and social development; geology and agriculture; military record; sketches of boroughs, townships, and villages; portraits and biographies of pioneers and representative citizens, etc. etc." | origdate = 1892 | url = http://www.usgennet.org/usa/pa/county/lycoming/history/lyco-history-01.html | accessdate = 2006-03-16 | edition = 1st Edition | publisher = Brown, Runk & Co. | location = Chicago, IL | id = ISBN 0-7884-0428-8 | quote = (Note: ISBN refers to Heritage Books July 1996 reprint. URL is to a scan of the 1892 version with some OCR typos).] cite web | url = http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/ppet/canals/page1.asp?secid=31 | title = "Pennsylvania Canals" | accessdate = 2006-07-30 | publisher = Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission]

The Susquehanna Boom was a system of cribs and chained logs in the West Branch Susquehanna River, designed to catch and hold floating timber until it could be processed at one of the nearly 60 sawmills along the river between Lycoming and Loyalsock Creeks in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Susquehanna State Park is located within just a small section of what was once the boom. The Susquehanna Boom was originally built under the supervision of James H. Perkins, cite web |url = http://www.historicwilliamsport.com/Features/James%20Perkins.htm |title = "James H. Perkins: Father of the Susquehanna Boom" |accessdate = 2007-05-30 |author = Lou Hunsinger Jr. |publisher = Williamsport Sun-Gazette ] and operated from 1851 to 1909, when it shut down for lack of timber.cite book |last=Taber III |first= Thomas T. |title= "Williamsport Lumber Capital" |origdate= 1995 |edition= First Edition |publisher= Paulhamus Litho, Inc. |location= Montoursville, Pennsylvania |pages= 88 |chapter= Chapter Two: The Boom — Making It All Possible (No ISBN) ]

When flood control levees were built around Williamsport, the park land was left outside the levee system. It was developed as a "riverfront recreational area" by the state and city, opening in 1961. cite web | url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/susquehanna.aspx | title = "Susquehanna State Park" | accessdate = 2006-07-29 | publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ] The modern paddlewheeler "Hiawatha" began excursions here in 1982. In the winter of 2000-2001, the "Hiawatha" was rebuilt with a new hull at a cost of $200,000. cite web | url = http://www.ridehiawatha.com/ | title = "Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat, Williamsport, PA" | accessdate = 2006-07-29 | publisher = River Valley Transit, Williamsport, PA ]

While the Williamsport / Lycoming Chamber of Commerce operates the park, responsibility for its facilities within the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources lies with Shikellamy State Park.

Facilities and recreation

Cruises on the paddlewheeler "Hiawatha" are one of the main attractions at Susquehanna State Park. One hour long public cruises are offered on weekends from May to October, as well as weekdays from July to September. The "Hiawatha" celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary of excursions in 2006. A variety of special cruises are offered, including: family night, karaoke, Sunday brunch, dinner, and sunset concert cruises. Charters are also available.

The Hiawatha House has souvenirs, snacks, and tickets for cruises. The "Hiawatha" is run by River Valley Transit, which also operates bus and tourist trolley service in Lycoming County. cite web | url = http://www.williamsport.org/ | title = "Williamsport / Lycoming Chamber of Commerce" | accessdate = 2006-07-29 ]

The park's boat launch allows access to the river for boating. There is no horsepower limit for motor boats. Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and other non-powered boats are also allowed. A dam on the West Branch Susquehanna River at Hepburn Street in Williamsport provides 652 acres (2.64 km²) of water deep enough for waterskiing.

Fishing is allowed from the banks of the river and from boats. Common species of fish (both cold and warm water) include catfish, panfish, and smallmouth bass. The laws and regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission apply.

Picnicking is possible on the picnic tables throughout the park, as well as a pavilion with more tables, which may be reserved.

Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within convert|30|mi|km|0 of Susquehanna State Park:cite map |scale = 1:65,000| publisher= Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division | url= ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/lycoming_GHSN.PDF | title= "2007 General Highway Map Lycoming County Pennsylvania" | accessdate= 2007-07-29 "Note: shows Susquehanna State Park"] cite web
last = Michels
first = Chris
year = 1997
url = http://www2.nau.edu/~cvm/latlongdist.html
title = "Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation"
publisher = Northern Arizona University
accessdate = 2008-04-23]
*Bucktail State Park Natural Area (Cameron and Clinton Counties)
*Little Pine State Park (Lycoming 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)
*Shikellamy State Park (Union and Northumberland Counties)
*Upper Pine Bottom State Park (Lycoming County)
*Worlds End State Park (Sullivan County)

References

External links

*PDFlink| [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/susquehanna/susquehanna_mini.pdf Susquehanna State Park Official Map] |69 KB