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Watershed Conservation Plans
Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan
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.
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.
Location Map Brochure about the Plan Power Point Presentation used at Public Meetings
Full Plan
Introduction Chapter 1: Project Area Characteristics Chapter 2: Land Resources Chapter 3: Water Resources Chapter 4: Biological Resources Chapter 5: Cultural Resources Chapter 6: Issues and Concerns Chapter 7: Management Recommendations Chapter 8: References Figure 1-1 Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Figure 1-2 Project Area Figure 1-3 Topography Figure 1-4 Land Use Regulations Figure 1-5 Watershed Population by Census Block Group 2000 Figure 1-6 Population Change by Census Block Group 1990-2000 Figure 1-7 Development Pressure Figure 1-9 Transportation Figure 1-13 Safety Features Figure 2-1 Surface Geology Figure 2-2 Agricultural Soils Figure 2-4 Agricultural Preservation Areas Figure 2-5 Land Use Figure 2-6 Coal Mining Operations Figure 2-7 Public/Managed Lands Figure 2-8 Environmentally Sensitive Areas Figure 3-1 Major Tributaries Figure 3-2 Wetlands and Hydric Soils Figure 3-3 Dams Figure 3-4 Impaired Waters Figure 5-1 Recreational Opportunities Figure 5-1 Recreational Opportunities Key Appendices
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 Freshwater 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.
Location Map Conservation Plan (in chapters)
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, stormwater, 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.
Location Map Final Redbank Creek Watershed Conservation Plan
Chapter 1 Project Area Characteristics
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 Freshwater 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.
Location Map Conservation Plan (in chapters)
Introduction materials (Document Missing)
Chapter 1 Project Area Characteristics
Chapter 4 Biological Resources
Chapter 6 Management Recommendations
Chapter 7 References (Document Missing)
View Maps of Project Area:
Figure 1-1 Figure 2-1 Figure 3-4
Figure 1-2 Figure 2-2 Figure 3-5
Figure 1-3 Figure 2-3 Figure 3-6
Figure 1-4 Figure 2-4 Figure 4-1
Figure 1-5 Figure 2-5 Figure 5-1
Figure 1-6 Figure 2-6 Figure 5-2
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.
Location Map Conservation Plan
Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed Conservation Plan
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.
Public Lands Map Public Survey about this Plan
Print off this survey and mail to the following address. Your thoughts and opinions mean so much to us.
Freshwater Conservation Program
Attn: Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed Survey
246 S. Walnut Street
Blairsville, PA 15717
Three Sisters Watershed Conservation Plan
Bedford and Fulton counties, Pennsylvania
Allegany 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."
Location Map
Three Sisters Watershed Conservation Plan
