WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
WHAT IS A WATERSHED?
A watershed is an area of land that water runs over or under on its way to a larger body of water. The water can be surface water or ground water. Smaller watersheds make up larger watersheds.
WHAT WATERSHED DO YOU LIVE IN?
STREAMBANK STABILIZATION PROJECTS
Streambank stabilization projects are completed around the county to mitigate streambank erosion and reduce the amount of sediment pollution to streams. Sediment pollution degrades the water quality for drinking, recreation, and wildlife.
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Several streambank stabilization projects have been completed by the district using Growing Greener Grants. These projects have used natural channel design to stabilize the streambank and provide habitat for aquatic organisms.
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Raccoon Creek Streambank Stabilization
In 2019 the Beaver County Conservation District was awarded a grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener Grant Plus program to complete a streambank stabilization project along Raccoon Creek in Independence Township. The project was completed in 2021. The project protects hiking trails that are used by the public and for environmental education programs, as well as provides habitat for aquatic animals and reduces sedimentation to Raccoon Creek.
Raccoon Creek Canoe Launch Parking Lot
The Beaver County Conservation District was awarded $4,000.00 through Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Canoe Access Development fund to improve an existing parking lot along Raccoon Creek in Independence Township. The parking lot is one of the five canoe, kayak, and floating access points that form the Racoon Creek Water Trail. The canoe launch parking lot improvement was completed in 2021. The gravel parking lot provides users a safe place to park and use the canoe launch.
BCCD'S FISHING LINE RECYCLING PROGRAM
Most monofilament line is non-biodegradable and may last up to 600 years. Monofilament is essentially a single, long strand of flexible plastic. Like most plastics, monofilament is petroleum-based and capable of persisting in our lakes, rivers, and oceans for centuries.
- Discarded line can tangle itself around fish and other marine life. Many aquatic animals also swallow monofilament unwittingly, leading to internal damage and slow starvation.
- Birds can become entangled or ingest the line, often dying as a result.
- Swimmers are at risk from entanglements.
- The line can also damage boat propellers.
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Locations:
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Brady's Run Park
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Monaca Boat Launch
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Brush Creek Park
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Lock 57 Park
