TheWestern Pennsylvania Conservancyand several partner organizations recently completed a streambank stabilization project that will improve water quality and reduce pollution levels in Straight Run, a headwater tributary to Little Mahoning Creek.

Working with theKen Sink Chapter of Trout Unlimited, theLittle Mahoning Creek Watershed Association,Indiana County Conservation District, the Game Commission and the Fish and Boat Commission, WPC staff members and volunteers installed protective barriers that deflect water away from eroding streambanks.

These measures will significantly improve water quality in the Little Mahoning watershed, an important source of drinking water and home to rare fish and wildlife.

“When we completed our watershed assessment last year, excess erosion and sedimentation came out as the number-one threat to the Little Mahoning,” said Nick Pinizzotto, WPC’s senior director of freshwater conservation. “We’re serious about addressing those problems and protecting this sensitive watershed.”

This project was the second completed by WPC and its partners this summer in order to stabilize streambanks, reduce erosion and restore fish and wildlife habitat in the watershed.

The partnership first came together to shore up the streambanks of Cessna Run, another tributary of Little Mahoning Creek. So far this year, a total of 275 feet of streambanks, measuring six to 15 feet in height, have been protected.

Thanks to strong volunteer participation, the projects were completed for one-third of the estimated cost of hiring contractors to complete the work. At least two additional projects are planned for this fall.

“It takes money and it takes people-power to get this work done, and we are grateful to Trout Unlimited and our other partners for their dedication,” said Pinizzotto.

For more information, visit theWPC Freshwater Conservation Program webpage.

10/3/2008