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Conservation District
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Snyder County
Conservation District |
Watershed Protection
Everyone lives in a watershed. A watershed is a section of land that drains toward a lake, stream or river.
In Snyder County, all surface water eventually flows toward the Susquehanna River.
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In some sections of western Snyder County, streams flow into the Juniata River, which eventually goes to the Susquehanna River north of Harrisburg.
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In southern Snyder County, water first enters the North Branch or West Branch of the Mahantango Creek before reaching the Susquehanna River at the Snyder-Juniata County Line.
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In many places in northeastern Snyder County, streams flow into the lower sections of Penns Creek, which eventually flows into the Susquehanna River south of Selinsgrove.
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In a large portion of County, water flows into tributaries and the main stem of Middle Creek. Middle Creek flows into Penns Creek just short of the Susquehanna River.
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Some areas of eastern Snyder County has streams that flow directly into the Susquehanna River.
No matter what happens upstream, it affects stream quality downstream, the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay.
The Lower Penns Creek Watershed Association (LPCWA) has successfully completed the obligations of the Growing Greener start-up grant. The LPCWA has created a website, brochure, membership applications and cards. It published four newsletters, a distribution list, initiated and hosted educational programs, and developed a traveling display board.
LPCWA was recently awarded a $500 mini grant sponsored by Dominion and the Western PA Conservancy. The money received helped cover the general operating expenses for 2008.
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The Lower Penns Creek Watershed Association is seeking individuals, families, scout troops, fisherman, boaters, and outdoor enthusiasts alike to join the Penns Creek Stream Team. Help monitor water quality in your home watershed and find out what's going on!
No science or chemistry experience required, free trainings are offered. It’s as easy as following a recipe. Volunteer with a commitment of two hours a month. Substitutes are also needed.
- Volunteer with a commitment of 2 hours a month.
- No experience is necessary, free trainings
- Can’t make it every month? That’s okay--substitutes are needed!
- Volunteers will monitor the same pre-selected site once a month and send results to the Stream Team Chairman.
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Not interested in volunteering outdoors but have a special skill you’d like to share? We could use your help too: Tax preparation, baking, designing brochures or newsletters, photography, writing, teaching, and more…
Please contact us if you are willing to occasionally donate your time with specific tasks!
Rain Gardens in New Berlin: The LPCWA recently planted rain gardens at the New Berlin Ballfields in New Berlin, PA. Go to our Household Conservation web page for details about what rain gardens do and how the project was funded. Also go to our Conservation Snapshots web page for pictures of the planting.
Contact Jason Winey, our Watershed Specialist, at 570-837-3000, x112, for more information.
The Conservation District has a copy of the first two of three baseline studies and the final report conducted on the lower portion of Penns Creek.
Click to the appropriate baseline study listed below to download a copy.
If you are unable to download a copy, please contact Jason Winey, SCCD Watershed Specialist, at 570-837-3000, x112. |
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Lower Penns Creek Bioassessment Report -- The final report of three years of study on aquatic conditions of the lower main stem of Penns Creek. This report contains the third year study results (2008) and summarizes the earlier two years' information.
Click here for the Final Report. |
The LPCWA and Jason Winey, SCCD Watershed Specialist, created a kid's activity sheet for the Spring of 2010. Go to our Education & Youth web page and check under "Fun Downloads" to get your copy.
Placemats
At this time there is no watershed organization formed by local citizens interested in the improving water quality of the streams and runs that make up the Mahantango Watershed.
However, that may be changing. Through a joint effort from the Snyder and Juniata County Conservation Districts, these agencies received a convening grant from the Foundation for PA Watersheds to help produce restaurant placemats. These placemats promote the importance of local water quality, define what is a watershed and give advice on what you can do to protect the watershed.
So, do not be surprised if you see these placemats when you go out and eat. At this time, they are scheduled to be used at the Family Traditions Restaurant near Mt. Pleasant Mills and the County Line Restaurant in Richfield.
If you want to see what the placemat looks like, click here.
If you are interested in creating a local citizens group committed to protecting the Mahantango Watershed, contact Jason Winey, SCCD Watershed Specialist, at 570-837-3000, x112.
Stream Repair
Volunteers and staff members from several agencies and organizations worked on a stream bank stabilization project along the North Branch Mahantango Creek in Mt. Pleasant Mills, PA. The work took place from June 29 to July 2, 2009.
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At right, four men carry a log that will be placed according to specification from the PA Fish & Boat Commission (PAFBC). From left to right (Tyler Neimond, PAFBC Habitat Manager; Jason Winey, SCCD Watershed Specialist; Brent Leach, Juniata CCD Watershed Specialist and Ben Bailey, Susquehanna University Student & Volunteer. |
{Log being moved into place} |
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The project's goal is to enhance fish habitat and provide streambank erosion protection.
Logs and other materials were purchased or donated from the local area. |
{Mahantango Creek} |
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This particular project was located on a segment of the North Branch Mahantango Creek that flowed behind the Fremont Fire Company's baseball field's outfield fence. |
{Mahantango Creek Project} |
Contact Jason Winey, SCCD Watershed Specialist, at 570-837-3000, x112, for more details.
The Snyder County Conservation District is seeking interested and dedicated individuals that wish to promote the stewardship of the natural resources of Snyder County and Pennsylvania. We want to create steering committees for the Middle Creek and other watersheds. These steering committees play important and essential roles before, during and after the formation of a watershed association. For more information, please contact Jason Winey , Watershed Specialist at 570-837-3000, x112.
A copy of A Penns Creek Companion, written by local author Douglas McNeal, is available for borrowing at the Conservation District office. The book is also available through the Snyder County Library and can purchased at local book stores. Contact Renee Swineford, Administrative Assistant, at 570-837-3000, x110 to borrow a copy.
If you were looking for rain barrel information here, it has moved to our new Household Conservation web page.
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{Snyder County Conservation District}
Conservation through Education
Snyder County Conservation District
10541 Route 522
Middleburg, PA 17842
Phone: 570-837-3000
FAX: 570-837-7300
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Content Last Modified on 7/23/2010 2:19:55 PM
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Snyder County, Pennsylvania