Bentley Creek Watershed is the area supplying water to Bentley Creek in north-central Pennsylvania and south-central New York State. The Watershed is known to experience recurrent flooding, mainly in the Towns/Villages of Bentley Creek, PA, Centerville, PA, and Wellsburg, NY.
Bentley Creek Watershed is the area supplying water via tributaries and surface runoff to a rural watercourse (Bentley Creek) located in north-central Pennsylvania and south-central New York State. The Watershed is known to experience recurrent flooding, mainly in the Towns/Villages of Bentley Creek, PA, Centerville, PA, and Wellsburg, NY.
Sponsors
The Project Sponsors in Pennsylvania are the Bradford County Commissioners and the Bradford County Conservation District. The Project Sponsors in New York are the Village of Wellsburg, the Town of Ashland, the Chemung County Legislature, and the Chemung County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Purpose and Need for Action
The project purpose is to reduce the risk of flood damages to homes and non-residential buildings, roads, bridges, and utilities along the Bentley Creek resulting from floodwater in the Bentley Creek Watershed. The need for the project results from recurring excessive flooding of up to 490 buildings and numerous roads, bridges and utilities. The flooding causes average annual flood damages to buildings of $1.0 million. Excessive streambank erosion, especially in tributary streams, creates large sediment loads and gravel deposits throughout the basin which contributes to flooding and damages aquatic habitat.
Project Schedule
Public Scoping Meeting – 3/11/2021
Second Public Meeting – 3/1/2022
Third Public Meeting – 4/12/2023
Fourth Public Meeting – 4/1/2025
Public Review of Final Draft – October 2025
Plan Completion – December 2025
Scoping Meeting
Two scoping meetings were held on March 11, 2021. The meetings were held virtually. The meeting provided a forum for agencies, partners, and the public to learn about the project, ask questions, and address concerns. Specifically, participants were asked to provide input on scoping resource concerns. The meeting minutes from each meeting, with attached PowerPoint slides, can be accessed below. Recordings of the meetings are also posted.
Second Public Meeting
Two public meetings were held on March 1, 2022. The meetings were held virtually. A summary of the findings, alternatives considered, and the preferred alternatives were presented. Agencies and organizations participating and/or providing input include the Pare Corporation, and NRCS. The meeting minutes from each meeting, with attached PowerPoint slides, can be accessed below. Recordings of the meetings are also posted.
Third Public Meeting
One public meeting was held on April, 12, 2023. The meeting was held in-person. A summary of the findings, alternatives considered, and the preferred alternatives were presented. Agencies and organizations participating and/or providing input include the Chemung County SWCD, Chemung County Legislature, Town of Ashland, Village of Wellsburg, PARE Corporation, and NRCS. The meeting minutes from each meeting, with attached PowerPoint slides, can be accessed below. Recordings of the meetings are also posted.
Fourth Public Meeting
One public meeting was held on April 1, 2025. The meeting was held in-person at the Ridgebury Township Volunteer Fire Company. A summary of the findings and the preferred alternatives were presented. Agencies and organizations participating and/or providing input include the Bradford County Commissioners, Bradford County Soil Conservation District, Ridgebury Township, Chemung County SWCD, Chemung County Legislature, Town of Ashland, Village of Wellsburg, PARE Corporation, and NRCS. The PowerPoint slides presentation can be accessed below.