Possum Hollow Creek

When radioactive water burbled up through a secluded manhole cover at the Limerick nuclear plant on March 19, 2012 and flowed into Possum Hollow Creek and the Schuylkill River, it was not the first time it had happened.

It was the fourth overflow, and the second with radioactive material, in the last four years.

Despite this repeated error, documents at Exelon Nuclear’s Limerick Generating Station examined by Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspectors for a May 7 report found no evidence that the company took measures to detect future spills from the same secluded grate — until now. And this was despite the company’s conclusion that at least one 2008 spill led to elevated levels of radioactive tritium in a sample taken from a nearby monitoring well.

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Hexeglaawe: Frick's Lock

Our latest expedition to explore Pennsylvania's forgotten places took us to the ghost town of Frick's Lock.  Located in Chester County, PA, it dates back to the 18th century when it was a thriving village thanks to the commercial traffic of the Schuylkill Canal.  By the 1880's, the railway systems dominated the networks of canals and the importance of Frick's Lock diminished.  The canals were ultimately abandoned and drained in the 1920's, and isolated farms remained.

In 1969, the Philadelphia Electric Company began building the Limerick Nuclear Power Station directly across the river from Frick's Lock.  The station went live in 1986 and conflicting accounts suggest that residents were either bought out and relocated or given a 48-hour notice forced evacuation.  The town was left completely abandoned...or so we were told.

Our urban exploration of the village revealed strange noises and a strong feeling of being observed.  As we made our way back to the car, we spotted a small clearing near one of the larger houses.  Standing in a field was a scarecrow.  Before getting a chance to investigate any closer, a large rock was thrown in our direction.  Our expedition was cut short, but not before we snapped a few photos.