Black Mo Bumblebee

Black Moshannon Lake, the 250 acre centerpiece of the 3,400 acre Black Moshannon State Park, is a locally favorite location for swimming, fishing, and boating (non gas powered ). Early 1800 settlers, and before them Native Americans (e.g., Iroquois, Seneca) capitalized on a lake created by beavers. During the late 19th century the beaver dam was replaced by a man-make structure to support the booming lumber industry in the area. As in other areas of central PA, however, once the mountains were cleared of old growth forest (e.g., white pine, hemlock, hard woods) the lumber industry dissolved leaving thousands of naked acres susceptible to wild fires and erosion. In the early 1900s the Commonwealth started to purchase large segments of the clear cut land for reforestation, also turning areas with recreational value into state parks. Company 359 of the Civilian Conservation Corps provided the manpower during the mid-1930s that created the park's infrastructure, building a dam, structures, and trails. Black Moshannon Lake is shallow; in fact, major portions are bog. The water is darkened by tannins. Beavers continue to inhabit parts of the lake, and as summers progress lily pads fill large portions of the lake leaving only a lane open along the channel wide enough for canoes and kayaks. Included among the photos is a favorite taken from my kayak of a bumblebee inside a water lily. The last photo shows an active beaver lodge.