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From left to right: Terry Fisher, PENNVEST Application Developer; Amy Miller, Allegheny County Conservation District Watershed Specialist; and Hank Webster, Clearfield County Conservation District Board Member attend the ORWC event Sept.19.

Conservation districts were well represented during the 12th Annual Ohio River Watershed Celebration (ORWC). Coasting from Pittsburgh, Gateway Clipper Fleet's Majestic and Empress boats sailed three rivers in the region during the day-long event.

This year's theme was "Working Together for Clean Water" and focused on how the three rivers that course through the region have shaped the people and events that have influenced the country.  

"This event was a great opportunity to network with a variety of groups working in the Ohio River Watershed and hear about the work going on there," said Terry Fisher, PENNVEST Application Developer. "We heard about some of the progress that has been made on improving the water quality in the three rivers area and also learned about problem areas that still need work."

The ORWC relies solely on the tax-free donations from sponsors and volunteer support. For more information about the ORWC, visit www.orwc.org. 

Driving Surface Aggregate is a mixture of crushed stone designed specifically as a surface-wearing course for unpaved roads.

Pennsylvania's Dirt & Gravel Road Maintenance Program provides dedicated and earmarked funding to eliminate stream pollution caused by dust and sediment from unpaved roads. 

The Clarion County Conservation District (CCCD) works with members of the Quality Assurance Board to rank, review and select projects for funding in Clarion County. Sediment from roads, farms, construction sites, logging, and a host of other sources is the largest single contributor of pollution of the state's waters.  In 2012, CCCD brought $52,546 to the county for dirt and gravel road improvements. 

Cameron County Conservation District Staff (left to right): Conservation Resource Technician Kate Morgan, District Manager Jan Hampton, and Watershed Specialist Todd Deluccia.

Unfortunately, most pond owners have never tested their ponds, and water quality problems are usually only detected after they cause a problem. Cameron County Conservation District (CCCD), along with Penn State Extension, obtained a $6,000 grant from the Headwaters RC&D. The grant paid for water tests for 31 rural ponds located throughout the Sinnemahoning Watershed. The project was designed to encourage pond owners to regularly check the water quality of their pond, to better manage the pond.

Water samples were taken and delivered to the Penn State Water Lab this spring. These ponds were tested for pH, total dissolved solids, nitrate-nitrogen, alkalinity, aluminum, iron, manganese, phosphorous, sulfate, hardness, and E. coli bacteria. The results of these tests were shared at a free Pond Management Workshop on Sept. 3, 2013.

During the workshop, which was held at a local property, participants also learned how to manage fish, control algae growth, watch for invasive species, and the benefits of planting native trees and shrubs along the pond perimeter. All 31 participants indicated that they would take action such as testing water, installing a buffer strip, and managing algae as a result of attending the workshop.

Since 2001, conservation planners have been using Customer Service Toolkit to create plans, map BMPs, track implementation, and produce professional-looking maps as part of the planning process. Over the years, technology has been the impetus to change, improve, and advance the way we do business. Both NRCS employees, Conservation District planners, and other partners have become proficient users as the applications developed over time. A new version of the Customer Service Toolkit will roll-out the end of calendar year 2013 as Phase I. Projects leading up to the final implementation of all tools now planned for the next couple of years are called Foundational Maintenance and Improvements.

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