What is Watershed Management?
Every body of water (lakes, rivers, estuaries, etc) has a watershed. A watershed is an area of land that drains into a specific waterbody. As rain or snow melts and runs across a watershed, it picks up pollutants, sediment, and natural materials and transports them to the receiving waterbody. All activities in a watershed, such as urban development, lawn care, septic/sewage disposal, agriculture, road infrastructure, and stormwater management affect the quality and quantity of water and the health of natural resources.
Watershed management is an interdisciplinary practice of managing water quality and natural resources in a way that protects the resources and the people and communities within them. A systematic approach to land use planning, conservation, and sustainable use of land and water resources can help to address environmental, social, and economic concerns. To ensure the health and resilience of the entire watershed ecosystem, watershed management focuses on 1) understanding threats and impacts to water quality through monitoring and analysis; 2) engaging residents and our communities through outreach and education to; 3) preventing pollution at its source, restoring polluted or degraded ecosystems, and protecting existing natural areas. For more details on how we accomplish this, keep reading!
How We Do It
Step one in managing the watershed is understanding the processes at work and the threats we face. We do this through research and water quality monitoring. Since 1980, we’ve collected extensive data on Lake Wallenpaupack. Our monthly sampling from May to October includes:
- Physical Attributes: Measuring temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, and oxidation reduction potential throughout the water column.
- Water Chemistry: Testing for phosphorus, nitrogen, total suspended solids, and alkalinity allows us to monitor the lake’s nutrient levels.
- Biological Indicators: Analyzing phytoplankton and zooplankton populations provides insight on changes in algal growth patterns and ecosystem health.
Monitoring long-term trends allows us to see changes in our lake and to address them the best we can.
For detailed reports, check out our Annual Reports
Step two in preventing pollution is education. By sharing what we know and teaching residents and visitors how they can help protect our natural resources, we can make a significant impact. Our education and outreach programs include:
- Community Programs: Presentations to local associations and civic organizations about watershed management, conservation, and ecology.
- Invasive Species Awareness: Brochures and signs to prevent the spread of harmful species.
- Youth Engagement: Collaborating with schools to teach students about watershed management through hands-on programs and field trips.
- Publications: Rack cards, brochures, newsletters, magazine articles, and social media help us promote good stewardship of our natural resources.
We believe education is a powerful tool for long-term environmental protection.
Step three involves the correction of existing problems to reduce pollution. Often referred to as BMPs, pollution control or remediation projects are the most costly aspect of watershed management. BMPs vary and can help prevent pollution, restore degraded ecosystems, or protect sensitive natural areas. Over the past 45 years, we’ve helped install hundreds of BMPs, addressing agricultural waste, stormwater runoff, streambank restoration, lakeshore erosion, and sedimentation from dirt/gravel roads.
Agricultural BMPs:
Projects like heavy-use areas and manure storage systems improve water quality and farm efficiency by preventing nutrient-rich waste from entering water bodies. These projects reduce financial burdens on agricultural producers and provide significant benefits to both livestock and ecological health.
Stormwater Management:
Stormwater runoff from developed areas can carry pollutants to the lake. Effective stormwater management involves reducing impervious surfaces, encouraging infiltration, and reducing the rate of runoff. Stormwater BMPs capture, treat, and control sediment and other pollutants. This helps filter pollutants and reduces runoff to control flooding.
Erosion Control:
Erosion increases sediment and nutrient loads in the water, degrading quality. Vegetative and structural erosion control measures help stabilize shorelines and streambanks and prevent sedimentation from construction activities, reducing sediment runoff and improving water quality.
By funding, installing, and promoting BMPs, we work to keep Lake Wallenpaupack clean and healthy.