Welcome to the Lancaster County Watershed Website!

This site is designed to promote and foster watershed protection efforts throughout Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Volunteer Opportunities

Watershed Volunteer Events
  • None at this time
Watershed Events
  • None at this time

Funding Opportunities

Embrace-A-Stream (EAS Program (rolling deadline)
Embrace-A-Stream (EAS) is a matching grant program administered by Trout Unlimited chapters and councils for coldwater fisheries conservation. Projects funded include; on-the-ground restoration/protection/conservation project, education/outreach, applied research, advocacy efforts, and feasibility studies. This grant has a rolling deadline. For more information, visit http://www.tu.org/conservation/watershed-restoration-home-rivers-initiative/embrace-a-stream

What is a watershed?

A watershed is the area of land that drains to a specific body of water, whether a stream, pond, lake, river or ocean. A watershed area can be as large as the many states or as small as your backyard. Everyone lives in a watershed. (Check out this video to learn more about What a Watershed Is & Why It Is Important.)

Do you know your watershed address?

Just like your home address is broken down into country - state - city - street, your watershed address can be found in much the same way. Why is this important? Because whatever we do in Lancaster County will eventually affect the water quality of our friends and neighbors downstream.

Why is a site like this needed?

In Lancaster County there are over 1,400 miles of streams and creeks. Of this total, nearly 50% of these streams are impaired or polluted according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Add to this total the number of stream miles that are not polluted, but will be affected in some way by increased development pressure, storm water issues, or land use changes in the coming years. One can see how the water quality of Lancaster County could be considered in jeopardy.

What does the County Conservation District's Watershed Specialist do?

They provide technical, informational and organizational assistance that will improve watershed organization development and the quality and quantity of the county's surface and groundwater resources.  The focus of their work relates to watershed assessment, procurement of funding, technical assistance, and the creation, implementation, and coordination of work plans and strategies to restore and protect groundwater and surface water resources locally.

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