SUMMER IN JEFFERSON HILLS
A Natural Case
The Beam Run Trail
By Thomas Donahue
Local residents familiar with negotiating the serpentine curves
of Chamberlain Road (Coal Valley 4) may not realize at the low
point of the road they are crossing a unique valley and stream
named Beam Run. The Beam Run valley is a natural area with
several unique habitats including steep forested valley slopes,
numerous wetlands and a reproducing hemlock woodland.
Since mining left the valley more than 60 years ago it has
returned to a very natural state, rarely seen, except by a few
hunters. The valley’s steep slopes minimize its use to property
owners as their uses, i.e. primarily residential, farming, and
school, occur out of the valley at higher elevations.
BIRDS AS BIOINDICATORS
The National
Aviary is
conducting a
long-term
research project
in the Peters
Creek Watershed
concerning
birds that are
dependent on
streams for their
existence. Beam
Run provides
excellent habitat
for a number of
these species.
HEMLOCK WOODLAND
If you hear the wind gently whispering through the branches
while you walk in cool shade on a soft bed of pine needles in
the Beam Run Valley you are in the Hemlock Woodland. These
magnificent trees typically grow 100 ft. tall and provide a unique
mini-climate and natural habitat for animals.
The Beam Run watershed was identified as the highest priority
for land conservation by a watershed-wide study completed by
the Peters Creek Watershed Association in 2009. The Jefferson
Hills Environmental Advisory Council has proposed the area
as a Conservation District. The Watershed Association and
the Advisory Council are promoting the valley to the public
from Chamberlain Rd. to Peters Creek Rd. as a recreational,
educational and natural resource for our community and
school district.
Some of the avenues which can be explored in the Beam Run
Valley include:
BIODIVERSITY EXPLORATION
Digital social media
applications such as
Inaturalist can be utilized to
connect with local and
international experts to help
identify and study the
biodiversity of the Beam Run
valley with possible
designation as a Wild Plant
Sanctuary by the
Pennsylvania DCNR.
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WEST JEFFERSON HILLS
The Environmental Advisory Council and the Peters Creek
Watershed Association are continuing their efforts to conserve
the Beam Run valley with the school district, landowners, the
Recreation Board, the County Conservation District, the public
and other stakeholders. If you would like additional information
please email: [email protected].