PROJECT SPOTLIGHT!

We recently restored a local stream through our Clean Water Program in partnership with PA Fish and Boat Commission and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy! To learn about the project and view the transformation, click on the photo to the right:

What is a Watershed?

A watershed is an area of land that drains rainfall and snowmelt into streams and rivers. These streams and rivers flow into larger bodies of water, including lakes, bays, and oceans. Watersheds can vary in size, ranging from a few square miles to thousands of square miles. Larger watersheds usually encompass many smaller watersheds, known as subwatersheds.

Franklin County is part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which stretches across 6 states: New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The Chesapeake Bay watershed covers nearly 4,500 square miles and drains 7 major rivers: the Susquehanna, Potomac, Patuxent, Choptank, Rappahannock, York, and James Rivers.

Franklin County Watersheds

There are 5 major watersheds that make up Franklin County:

  • The Conococheague Creek Watershed
  • The Conodoguinet Creek Watershed
  • The Antietam Creek Watershed
  • The Licking Creek Watershed
  • The Tuscarora Creek Watershed

About the Watershed Program

The District’s Watershed Program aims to assist with the implementation of projects that will improve water quality in Franklin County and beyond. These projects can vary from installing agricultural best management practices (BMP’s) on farms to planting riparian buffers to restoring local streams. The program is administered by the Conservation Districts Watershed Specialist, who provides assistance to local watershed groups, private citizens, and municipalities in order to accomplish a variety of tasks. The Watershed Specialist also coordinates educational workshops, field days, and other activities in order to emphasize the importance of our water resources.

Local Resources

Watershed Organizations:

Watershed Implementation Plans:

Helpful Links and Resources