Watershed, or River, Conservation Plans are comprehensive plans that study natural, recreational, and historical resources of a particular watershed or stream corridor. The plans are typically funded by grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Community Conservation Partnership Program (DCNR C2P2). Watershed Conservation Plans are locally prepared and incorporate a strong community participation element. They compile broad-based data about the watershed to include a wide range of interest including socio-economics and identify future projects to assess, protect, and remediate its resources. Once completed, additional funding opportunities become available to implement projects identified in the plans. For more information about watershed conservation plans and to see if one has been completed in your watershed, visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website. If you would like further information about one of the following projects contact the Freshwater Conservation Program at 724-459-0953.

Sewickley Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

In 2001, the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association received a grant from DCNR to complete a Watershed Conservation Plan for the Sewickley Creek watershed in Westmoreland County. They contacted the Freshwater Conservation Program to help develop the plan. The watershed is mostly agricultural and forested but does have urban and industrial areas. The plan was completed in August 2003 and placed on the Pennsylvania Rivers Registry in 2004. The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association is presently working to implement several of the management recommendations outlined in the plan.

Click Here to Download a Location Map.
Click Here to Download the Plan in Chapters.

Lower Crooked Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Armstrong and Indiana Counties, Pennsylvania

In 2002, Crooked Creek Watershed Association received a grant from the DCNR C2P2 program to complete a Watershed Conservation Plan for the Lower Crooked Creek watershed. A plan for the Upper Crooked Creek watershed was already completed in 2001 by the Indiana County Department of Planning.

After receiving the grant the Crooked Creek Watershed Association contracted the Freshwater Conservation Program to help develop the plan. The watershed has a very rural character. After meeting with municipal officials in 2003, the Tub Mill Run watershed, a neighboring watershed draining to the Allegheny River, was included into the plan. The Lower Crooked Creek Watershed Conservation Plan was completed in 2004. The Crooked Creek Watershed Association is currently submitting the plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for placement on the Rivers Registry.

Click Here to Download a Location Map.
Click Here to Download the Plan (in Chapters)

Shenango River Watershed Conservation Plan Crawford, Lawrence, and Mercer Counties, Pennsylvania Ashtabula, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties, Ohio

WPC was awarded a grant in 2002 from the DCNR C2P2 program to develop a Watershed Conservation Plan for the Shenango River watershed. This 1,066 square-mile watershed is home to several federally and state-endangered fish, mussel, and plant species. The final plan, completed in July 2005, was meant to complement Penn Ohio Watershed Association's 2001 Interstate Pymatuning Shenango Watershed Plan, which focused on the water resources of the Ohio portion of the watershed. WPC is currently petitioning the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for placement of the plan on the Pennsylvania Rivers Registry.

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Click here to download the plan (in chapters)

Three Sisters Watershed Conservation Plan Bedford and Fulton counties, Pennsylvania Allegany and Washington counties, Maryland

In 2003, WPC was awarded a grant from the DCNR C2P2 program. Utilizing this funding, a Watershed Conservation Plan for Sideling Hill, Fifteenmile, and Town Creek watersheds is being developed. These individual watersheds all flow across the Pennsylvania/Maryland border to the Potomac River in Maryland. The three watersheds share many characteristics, and have collectively been called the Three Sisters watershed. The mission of the plan, as determined by the steering committee states, "The purpose of the Three Sisters Watershed Conservation Plan is to include residents as active participants in conserving their communities' natural resources and maintaining the rural character of the Sideling Hill, Fifteenmile, and Town Creek watersheds."

Click Here to Download a Location Map.
Click Here for Results from the March 2005 Public Meetings.
Click Here to Download the plan (in chapters).

Redbank Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Armstrong, Clarion, Clearfield, and Jefferson Counties, Pennsylvania

WPC was awarded a grant in 2004 from the DCNR C2P2 program to develop a Watershed Conservation Plan for the Redbank Creek watershed. North Fork Creek and Sandy Lick Creek form Redbank Creek in Brookville, Jefferson County. The headwaters of these streams originate in Jefferson County and Clearfield County, respectively. Although much of this watershed is impaired by non-point source pollution, including AMD, stormwater, and sewage, the North Fork watershed is designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as High Quality, with parts of it considered Exceptional Value.

Click Here to Download a Location Map.
Click Here to Download a Land Cover Map.
Click here for results from the July 2005 Public Meetings.
Click Here to Download the Conservation Plan (in chapters)

Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Lawrence Counties

In 2005, WPC was awarded a grant from the DCNR C2P2 program to develop a Watershed Conservation Plan for the Connoquenessing Creek watershed. Slippery Rock Creek, although a major tributary to Connoquenessing Creek, was not included because the watershed would be better served by developing a separate plan specific to its unique character. The Connoquenessing Creek watershed is experiencing many changes that directly affect the watershed's resources including developmental pressures, flooding, and elevated level of nitrates. The watershed plan will work with local groups and individuals to better plan for the future. Please check back for updates.

Click Here to Download a Location Map.
Click Here to Download a Brochure about the Plan.
Click Here to Download the Power Point Presentation used at Public Meetings.
Click here to Download the Public Meeting Results

Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, McKean, and Potter counties

In 2006, WPC was awarded a grant through the DCNR Community Conservation and Partnerships Program to develop a watershed conservation plan for the 1,050-square mile Sinnemahoning Creek watershed, which is part of the PA Wilds initiative in northcentral and northwestern Pennsylvania. Primarily forested, this biologically diverse watershed is home to numerous types of wildlife, including native brook trout, bald eagles and elk.  High quality streams and natural resources contained with numerous State Parks, State Forests, and State Game Lands offer abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. However, resource extraction has impacted these natural resources, and pressure from increased tourism has affected local communities. Completing a Watershed Conservation Plan for Sinnemahoning Creek will benefit the watershed’s communities by identifying ways to conserve or restore high-value natural resources and enhance the outdoor recreation experience for the thousands of visitors that are expected to visit the region each year.

Click Here to Download a Location Map.

Click Here to Download a Public Survey about this Plan.
Print off this survey and mail to the following address. Your thoughts and opinions mean so much to us.

Freshwater Conservation Program
Attn: Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed Survey
246 S. Walnut Street
Blairsville, PA 15717