The heavy rainstorm and snowmelt on Jan. 10-11 has caused some severe damage to portions of the Kinzua Valley Trail, officials said Monday.
Estimates of more than three inches of rain combined with warm temperatures made conditions perfect for flood damage to take place, not only on the trail, but also over large areas of McKean County.
Kinzua Valley Trail Club president Don Cummins said volunteers worked last weekend to mitigate the damage caused by the weather. They dug ditches, installed embankment, removed logs, cleaned sluices and graded material in preparation for this weekend’s annual Tony Dolan Memorial Ski for Cancer event on the Kinzua Valley Trail.
Cummins said that as soon as weather permits this spring, crews will proceed with a more substantial fix to those areas that are most susceptible to flooding and causing damage to the trail.
To that end, the Kinzua Valley Trail Club has begun organizing a campaign to reach out to the community, club members, corporations, business leaders and those that believe in and appreciate the mission of the club.
The club is a 501c3 non-profit and any charitable contributions are tax deductible. The club’s goal this year is to reach U.S. Route 219 and establish another trail head. The club’s ultimate goal is a first-class trail from Red Bridge to Kinzua Bridge State Park near Mount Jewett, a distance of 22 miles.
Those interested in donating can send contributions to the Kinzua Valley Trail Club, 31 CCC Road, Westline, PA 16740.
For additional information, contact Don Cummins, president of the Kinzua Valley Trail Club, at 814-598-0913.
