Sherman Creek (tributary to the West Branch of the Delaware River)

Sherman Creek is a small, pristine coldwater stream that begins its descent in Pennsylvania and ends in the West Branch of the Delaware, across the border in New York. The headwaters to Sherman Creek begin on the Pennsylvania Game Lands 70 and wind north through forested ravines, providing shade cover and cold, clean water for trout to live in and spawn. Still a secret to most anglers, this high quality coldwater stream is one of the most productive trout breeding tributaries to the West Branch of the Delaware, supporting wild brook and brown trout.

Located primarily in northern Wayne County, where gas companies have leased significant acreage, this pristine watershed is under threat from impacts related to shale gas development. While drilling is currently not permitted in the Delaware River basin, exploratory gas wells have been constructed in the upper part of Sherman Creek watershed—suggesting that if the moratorium on drilling is lifted, Wayne County will be one of the first areas to be developed. Many anglers are concerned that if shale gas development is allowed to occur on the watershed’s steep slopes, the water quality of Sherman creek will be impacted by sedimentation.

Limiting shale gas development in the watershed will help protect Sherman Creek and help to sustain the fishery downstream in the West Branch of the Delaware.