Watershed Conservation
The Watershed Specialist acts as a technical resource for municipalities, schools, businesses, and the general public regarding conservation practices.
LCCD can assist with, coordinate, and write grants for:
- Watershed Planning
- Watershed Assessment
- Conservation Projects
Conservation Projects Including:
- Rain Gardens and Pollinator Gardens
- Basin Retrofits
- Stream Restoration/Stabilization
- Riparian Buffers/Native Plantings
- Conservation Workshops i.e. rain barrels, rain gardens, etc.
Protecting your watershed
How we live on the land affects the quality and quantity of water resources within the watershed.
Grants Awarded
2014-21
Conservation Projects
Restorations, Creek Stabilization, and Enhancements
Protecting your watershed
What is a watershed?
A watershed is a geographic area of land across which water, and the sediments and dissolved materials it contains, flow on their way to a single common outlet – a stream, lake, or river.
A watershed can be compared to a basin collecting all the precipitation that falls within it and carrying this to the common outlet. A watershed includes not only the land within its boundaries but also the surface water of lakes, streams, and wetlands as well as the groundwater moving beneath the surface. Watersheds vary from the largest river basins to just a few acres in size.
Watersheds are natural systems that link the land and water resources and the living organisms, including people, within its boundaries. How we live on the land affects the quality and quantity of water resources within the watershed.
Grants Awarded
2014 DEP Growing Greener Little Lehigh Creek Enhancement
2015 DEP Environmental Education Springhouse Middle School Outdoor Classroom
2015 Lehigh Gap Nature Center Mini-Grant Native Riparian Plantings
2016 Coldwater Heritage Program Little Lehigh Creek Riparian Buffers
2016 PACD Rain Barrel Workshops
2017 PACD Rain Barrel Workshops
2017 Lehigh Valley Greenways Mini-Grant Leibert Creek Design
2017 DEP Growing Greener Leibert Creek Stabilization and Enhancement
2018 PACD Rain Barrel Workshops
2020 DCNR C2P2 Little Lehigh Creek Stabilization and Enhancement
2021 DEP Growing Greener Cedar Creek Enhancement
Conservation Projects
Hosensack Restoration
LCCD worked with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, and volunteers to stabilize a 415 foot section of a tributary to the Hosensack Creek and restore a .5 acre native riparian buffer. Funding was provided by DEP Growing Greener.
Cedar Creek Enhancement
LCCD is currently working with the Lehigh County Department of Parks and Recreation to stabilize a tributary to Cedar Creek and return an impervious area to a wet meadow habitat. Funding is provided by the Lehigh County Department of Parks and Recreation and DEP Growing Greener.
Little Lehigh Creek Stabilization and Enhancement
LCCD is working with the Borough of Emmaus to stabilize a tributary to the LIttle Lehigh Creek as it runs through Williams Street Park. The banks are severely degraded from heavy stormwater inputs and threatening infrastructure on both sides of the stream. The project involves regrading and stabilizing the banks to protect infrastructure and reduce erosion, as well as plant native riparian buffers to enhance habitat and wetland value along the stream. Funding is provided by DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Program and the Borough of Emmaus.
Little Lehigh Creek Watershed Riparian Buffers
LCCD worked with partners from Wildlands Conservancy, the Borough of Emmaus, Seven Generations Charter School, Penn State Extension, the Borough of Emmaus/Upper Milford Joint EAC, Emmaus Rotary Club, and community volunteers to remove invasive plants and reestablish native riparian buffers at multiple locations along a tributary to the Little Lehigh Creek in Emmaus. 1.4 acres of invasive plants were removed and 500 native trees and shrubs were planted. 50 pounds of native seed and over 200 native plugs were planted. Approximately 2,700 feet of stream were restored to help stabilize the banks, enhance habitat, and improve water quality. Funding was provided by DEP Growing Greener, Coldwater Heritage Partnership, and Lehigh Gap Nature Center.
Leibert Creek Stabilization
LCCD worked with partners from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Wildlands Conservancy to stabilize a 780 foot section of a tributary to Leibert Creek. 24 fish habitat structures were installed that not only provide habitat but also help stabilize and protect the stream banks from erosion. 170 trees and shrubs were also planted by volunteers to establish a native riparian buffer. Funding was provided by Lehigh Valley Greenways and DEP Growing Greener and PA Fish and Boat Commission.