Watershed Conservation
The Watershed Specialist acts as a technical resource for municipalities, schools, businesses, and the general public regarding conservation practices.
LCCD can assist with, coordinate, and write grants for:
- Watershed Planning
- Watershed Assessment
- Conservation Projects
Conservation Projects Including:
- Stream Restoration/Stabilization
- Rain Gardens
- Basin Retrofits
- Riparian Buffers/Native Plantings
- Lawn Conversion
- Technical assistance to landowners
Protecting your watershed
How we live on the land affects the quality and quantity of water resources within the watershed.
Conservation Projects
Restorations, Creek Stabilization, and Enhancements
Technical Assistance
Assisting public and private landowners with stream, stormwater, planting, and other conservation-related issues
Protecting your watershed
What is a watershed?
A watershed is a geographic area of land across which water, and the sediments and dissolved materials it contains, flow on their way to a single common outlet – a stream, lake, or river.
A watershed can be compared to a basin collecting all the precipitation that falls within it and carrying this to the common outlet. A watershed includes not only the land within its boundaries but also the surface water of lakes, streams, and wetlands as well as the groundwater moving beneath the surface. Watersheds vary from the largest river basins to just a few acres in size.
Watersheds are natural systems that link the land and water resources and the living organisms, including people, within its boundaries. How we live on the land affects the quality and quantity of water resources within the watershed.
Recent Conservation Projects
Hosensack Restoration
LCCD worked with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, and volunteers to stabilize a 415 foot section of a tributary to the Hosensack Creek and restore a .5 acre native riparian buffer. Funding was provided by DEP Growing Greener.
Cedar Creek Enhancement
LCCD is currently working with the Lehigh County Department of Parks and Recreation to stabilize a tributary to Cedar Creek and return an impervious area to a wet meadow habitat. Funding is provided by the Lehigh County Department of Parks and Recreation and DEP Growing Greener Plus.
Little Lehigh Creek Stabilization and Enhancement-Williams Street Park
LCCD is working with the Borough of Emmaus to stabilize a tributary to the Little Lehigh Creek as it runs through Williams Street Park. The banks are severely degraded from heavy stormwater inputs and threatening infrastructure on both sides of the stream. The project involves regrading and stabilizing the banks to protect infrastructure and reduce erosion, as well as plant native riparian buffers to enhance habitat and wetland value along the stream. Funding was provided by DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Program, DEP Growing Greener Plus, and the Borough of Emmaus.
Little Lehigh Creek Watershed Riparian Buffers
LCCD worked with partners from Wildlands Conservancy, the Borough of Emmaus, Seven Generations Charter School, Penn State Extension, the Borough of Emmaus/Upper Milford Joint EAC, Emmaus Rotary Club, and community volunteers to remove invasive plants and reestablish native riparian buffers at multiple locations along a tributary to the Little Lehigh Creek in Emmaus. 1.4 acres of invasive plants were removed and 500 native trees and shrubs were planted. 50 pounds of native seed and over 200 native plugs were planted. Approximately 2,700 feet of stream were restored to help stabilize the banks, enhance habitat, and improve water quality. Funding was provided by DEP Growing Greener Plus, Coldwater Heritage Partnership, and Lehigh Gap Nature Center.
Lehigh Parkway Stream Enhancement
LCCD, City of Allentown Department of Parks and Recreation, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and Little Lehigh Trout Unlimited partnered to restore and enhance a 730 foot section of the Little Lehigh Creek through the Lehigh Parkway. The project involved installing fish habitat structures and regrading banks to enhance fishing, restore natural hydrology, and decrease flooding through the Parkway. A riparian buffer was planted to further improve water quality. Funding was provided by DEP Growing Greener Plus, Lehigh Valley Greenways, Coldwater Heritage Partnership, and the City of Allentown Department of Parks and Recreation.
Keystone 10 Million Trees partner
LCCD helps landowners obtain and plant tree and shrub seedlings for their properties through the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership. Click here to learn more.
Leibert Creek Stabilization
LCCD worked with partners from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Wildlands Conservancy to stabilize a 780 foot section of a tributary to Leibert Creek. 24 fish habitat structures were installed that not only provide habitat but also help stabilize and protect the stream banks from erosion. 170 trees and shrubs were also planted by volunteers to establish a native riparian buffer. Funding was provided by Lehigh Valley Greenways, DEP Growing Greener Plus and PA Fish and Boat Commission.
Trout Creek Watershed Improvement
LCCD, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and Springside Sportsmen Club partnered to restore and enhance a 500 foot section of Trout Creek as it flows past Slatedale Playground. The project involves installing 20+ fish habitat structures. Additional bank grading and a native riparian buffer will complete the project. The project is aimed to reduce park flooding, stabilize the banks, improve fishing opportunities in this trout-stocked stream, and protect investments in a new playground. Funding was provided by DEP Growing Greener Plus.
Coplay multi-functional buffer
Over an acre of land was planted with a multi-functional buffer consisting of various fruits and berries on a farm in Coplay. The buffer will control stormwater runoff and stabilize the banks, and the landowners will harvest and sell the fruit. Funding was provided by PACD.