Watershed Conservation

Resources and Plans

  • Juniata Watershed Conservation Plan
    Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder and Somerset Counties

In 2022, DCNR awarded WPC with a Community Conservation and Partnerships Program grant to develop a watershed conservation plan for the 3,400-square mile Juniata River watershed located in southcentral Pennsylvania. Predominantly rural, the area contains mostly forest and agricultural land. The watershed conservation plan will address impacts to natural resources through extensive outreach efforts. Recommendations will be developed based on input from local stakeholders, and will result in a plan to conserve those resources, enhance the local economy and encourage sustainable stewardship of the watershed.

  • Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan
    Armstrong, Indiana and Jefferson Counties, Pennsylvania

    In 2008, DCNR awarded WPC with a Community Conservation and Partnerships Program grant to develop a watershed conservation plan for 885 square miles of the Allegheny River headwaters in northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York. Predominantly rural, the region contains mostly forest and agricultural land in the Pennsylvania Wilds region. The Allegheny River Headwaters project area includes portions of six state game lands and Susquehannock State Forest in Pennsylvania, and Allegany State Park in New York. Allegheny River headwater tributaries in Pennsylvania and New York up to and including Tunungwant Creek will be included in the study. The watershed conservation plan will address impacts to natural resources through extensive outreach efforts. Recommendations will be developed based on input from local stakeholders, and will result in a plan to conserve those resources, enhance the local economy and encourage sustainable stewardship of the watershed.

  • Lower Mahoning Creek Regional Watershed Conservation Plan
    Armstrong, Indiana and Jefferson Counties, Pennsylvania

     

    In 2008, DCNR awarded WPC with a Community Conservation and Partnerships Program grant to develop a watershed conservation plan for the Little and lower Mahoning Creek, Pine Creek and Hays Run watersheds in Armstrong, Indiana and Jefferson counties.

    The lower Mahoning watershed covers approximately 274 miles, and includes the Little Mahoning Creek sub-watershed and the lower stretch of Mahoning Creek from the confluence of Little Mahoning Creek to the mouth on the Allegheny River. Pine Creek watershed is a small, high-quality tributary entering the Allegheny River downstream of Mahoning Creek. Hays Run and an unnamed tributary of the Allegheny River will be included in the study, as well.

    WPC is already active throughout the watershed, having completed a visual assessment in 2006 and through continued watershed monitoring and aquatic surveys. Building on these efforts, the watershed conservation plan will address impacts to natural resources through extensive outreach efforts. Recommendations will be developed based on input from local stakeholders, and will result in a plan to conserve those resources, enhance the local economy and encourage sustainable stewardship of the watershed.

  • Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan
    Crawford, Erie and Warren Counties, Pennsylvania Chautauqua County, New York

    In 2007, DCNR awarded WPC with a Community Conservation and Partnerships Program grant to develop a watershed conservation plan for the 337-square mile Brokenstraw Creek watershed located in northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York.This predominantly rural watershed is located on the northwestern border of the Pennsylvania Wilds region and includes the Buckaloons Recreation Area of the Allegheny National Forest, which is situated along Brokenstraw Creek near its confluence with the Allegheny River. The area is a popular destination for anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

    The watershed conservation plan will address impacts to natural resources through extensive outreach efforts. Recommendations will be developed based on input from local stakeholders and will result in a plan to conserve those resources, enhance the local economy and encourage sustainable stewardship of the watershed.

  • Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed Conservation Plan
    Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, McKean and Potter Counties, Pennsylvania

     

    In 2006, WPC was awarded a grant through the DCNR Community Conservation and Partnerships Program to develop a watershed conservation plan for the 1,050-square mile Sinnemahoning Creek watershed, which is part of the PA Wilds initiative in north central and northwestern Pennsylvania. Primarily forested, this biologically diverse watershed is home to numerous types of wildlife, including native brook trout, bald eagles and elk. High quality streams and natural resources contained within numerous state parks, state forests, and state game lands offer abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. However, resource extraction has impacted these natural resources, and pressure from increased tourism has affected local communities. Completing a Watershed Conservation Plan for Sinnemahoning Creek will benefit the watershed’s communities by identifying ways to conserve or restore high-value natural resources and enhance the outdoor recreation experience for the thousands of visitors who are expected to visit the region each year.

  • Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan
    Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Lawrence Counties, Pennsylvania

    In 2005, WPC was awarded a grant from the DCNR C2P2 program to develop a Watershed Conservation Plan for the Connoquenessing Creek watershed. Slippery Rock Creek, although a major tributary to Connoquenessing Creek, was not included because the watershed would be better served by developing a separate plan specific to its unique character. The Connoquenessing Creek watershed is experiencing many changes that directly affect the watershed's resources including developmental pressures, flooding and elevated levels of nitrates. The watershed plan will work with local groups and individuals to better plan for the future. Please check back for updates.
  • Redbank Creek Watershed Conservation Plan
    Armstrong, Clarion, Clearfield and Jefferson Counties, Pennsylvania

    WPC was awarded a grant in 2004 from the DCNR C2P2 program to develop a Watershed Conservation Plan for the Redbank Creek watershed. North Fork Creek and Sandy Lick Creek form Redbank Creek in Brookville, Jefferson County. The headwaters of these streams originate in Jefferson County and Clearfield County, respectively. Although much of this watershed is impaired by non-point source pollution, including abandoned mine drainage, storm water and sewage, the North Fork watershed is designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as High Quality, with parts of it considered Exceptional Value.
  • Three Sisters Watershed Conservation Plan
    Bedford and Fulton counties, Pennsylvania
    Allegheny and Washington Counties, Maryland

    In 2003, WPC was awarded a grant from the DCNR C2P2 program. Utilizing this funding, WPC is developing a Watershed Conservation Plan for Sideling Hill, Fifteen Mile and Town Creek watersheds. These individual watersheds all flow across the Pennsylvania/Maryland border to the Potomac River in Maryland. The three watersheds share many characteristics, and have collectively been called the Three Sisters Watershed.The mission of the plan, as determined by the steering committee, states: "The purpose of the Three Sisters Watershed Conservation Plan is to include residents as active participants in conserving their communities' natural resources and maintaining the rural character of the Sideling Hill, Fifteen Mile, and Town Creek watersheds."
  • Shenango River Watershed Conservation Plan
    Crawford, Lawrence and Mercer Counties, Pennsylvania
    Ashtabula, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, Ohio

    WPC was awarded a grant in 2002 from the DCNR C2P2 program to develop a Watershed Conservation Plan for the Shenango River watershed. This 1,066 square-mile watershed is home to several federally and state-endangered fish, mussel, and plant species. The final plan, completed in July 2005, was meant to complement Penn Ohio Watershed Association's 2001 Interstate Pymatuning Shenango Watershed Plan, which focused on the water resources of the Ohio portion of the watershed. WPC is currently petitioning the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for placement of the plan on the Pennsylvania Rivers Registry.
  • Lower Crooked Creek Watershed Conservation Plan
    Armstrong and Indiana Counties, Pennsylvania

    In 2002, Crooked Creek Watershed Association received a grant from the DCNR C2P2 program to complete a Watershed Conservation Plan for the Lower Crooked Creek watershed. A plan for the Upper Crooked Creek watershed was already completed in 2001 by the Indiana County Department of Planning.After receiving the grant, the Crooked Creek Watershed Association contracted the Watershed Conservation Program to help develop the plan. The watershed has a very rural character. After meeting with municipal officials in 2003, the association included the Tub Mill Run watershed, a neighboring watershed draining to the Allegheny River, in the plan. The Lower Crooked Creek Watershed Conservation Plan was completed in 2004. The Crooked Creek Watershed Association is currently submitting the plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for placement on the Rivers Registry.
  • Sewickley Creek Watershed Conservation Plan
    Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

    In 2001, the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association received a grant from DCNR to complete a Watershed Conservation Plan for the Sewickley Creek watershed in Westmoreland County. They contacted the Watershed Conservation Program to help develop the plan. The watershed is mostly agricultural and forested but it does contain urban and industrial areas. The conservation plan was completed in August 2003 and placed on the Pennsylvania Rivers Registry in 2004. The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association is presently working to implement several of the management recommendations outlined in the plan.
  • Buffalo Creek Protection Plan
    Washington County, Pennsylvania
    Brooke and Ohio Counties, West Virginia

    The approximately 164-square mile Buffalo Creek watershed is located in western Washington County, Pennsylvania and Brooke and Ohio counties in West Virginia. In early 2003, The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Watershed Conservation Program was contracted by the Buffalo Creek Watershed Association and Washington County Watershed Alliance to complete the Buffalo Creek Watershed Assessment and Protection Plan. Funding was made possible through a DEP Growing Greener Grant.The plan includes results of field surveys of the health and diversity of both terrestrial and aquatic natural resources, information about threats to both water quality and natural habitats, and accompanying recommendations to be used by public and private entities in the Buffalo Creek watershed.

Watershed Conservation Plans

Watershed Conservation Plans are a key tool for any watershed-based conservation effort and essential to the careful planning of your project.

For More Information:

Watershed Conservation Program
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
1067 Philadelphia Street, Suite 101
Indiana, PA 15701

724-471-7202
water@paconserve.org