We all live in a watershed.
In Berks County, a majority of our water flows into the Schuylkill River Watershed - and there are numerous sub-watersheds in Berks that are a part of this system: Tulpehocken Creek, Maiden Creek, Manatawny Creek, Wyomissing Creek, Hay Creek, and Angelica Creek to name a few. Land Use has a direct impact on the water we use everyday. From our drinking water to the waters that we use for recreation, the Berks County Conservancy is there.
Whether the focus is on the quality of streams and lakes, development of watershed improvement plans, stream restoration projects, or working with our partners to ensure that the water entering our drinking water reservoirs is safe - together we can make a difference.
What is a Watershed?
It’s the land that water flows across or under on its way to a stream, river, or lake. The landscape is made up of many interconnected watersheds. Within each watershed, all water runs to the lowest point - a stream, river, or lake. On its way, water travels over the surface and across farm fields, forestlands, suburban lawns, and city streets, or it seeps into the soil and travels as ground water. Large watersheds, like the Schuylkill River Watershed, are made up of many smaller watersheds such as the Tulpehocken Creek, Maiden Creek, Manatawny Creek, Wyomissing Creek, Hay Creek, and Angelica Creek to name a few.
Watersheds come in many different shapes and sizes and have many different features. Watersheds can have hills or mountains or be nearly flat. They can have farmland, woodland, small towns, and big cities. Parts of your watershed can be so rough, rocky, or marshy that they’re suited only for certain trees, plants, and wildlife.
Why Should You Care?
Everyone lives in a watershed. You and everyone in your watershed are part of the watershed community. The animals, birds, and fish are too. You influence what happens in your watershed, good or bad, by how you treat the natural resources - the soil, water, air, plants, and animals. What happens in your small watershed also affects the larger watershed downstream. For example; what most of us do in Berks County affects those that live in Philadelphia - downstream in the Schuylkill River Watershed. The Berks County Conservancy is busy everyday working to improve all of our watersheds in Berks County. What does this mean to you? Clean, healthy water. There are things that you can do at home, at work, and in your community to help protect and improve your watershed. The water we drink and use daily affects ALL OF US - learn more and get involved!
Find Your Watershed
To learn more about your watershed please visit: Surf Your Watershed at http://www.epa.gov/surf or the state’s Bureau of Watershed Management at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/watermgt/wc |