How Simple At-Home Actions Can Improve Watershed Health: A Guide for Pennsylvania Homeowners and Beyond

By: Teresa Avery , Master Watershed Steward, Penn State Cooperative Extension

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Integrated Water Quality Report reveals that over 30% of Pennsylvania’s stream miles are impaired. This means these waterways fail to meet essential water quality standards. Fortunately, there is a bright side to this sobering statistic: Property owners, both in Pennsylvania and globally, can make a significant impact on local watershed health through straightforward, lifestyle-compatible actions.

Reduce Runoff to Protect Local Streams

Stormwater runoff poses a major threat by transporting pollutants into waterways. To combat this:

Minimize Impervious Surfaces: Reducing areas covered by materials like concrete and asphalt helps decrease runoff.

Install Rain Barrels: Capture stormwater from roofs for garden irrigation and reduce runoff.

Create Rain Gardens: Plant gardens in low-lying areas to slow and filter stormwater.

Plant Trees and Deep-Rooted Plants:

Trees and plants with deep roots play a crucial role in managing stormwater:

Trees: Canopies intercept rain, allowing it to evaporate or filter into the soil. According to Clemson Cooperative Extension, increased tree cover reduces runoff and filters pollutants.

Deep-Rooted Plants: Improve soil aeration and water infiltration, helping to manage stormwater more effectively. Native plants are particularly well-suited to their environments.

Reduce Pollution to Benefit Waterways

Minimizing pollutants helps protect watersheds:

Use Fewer Pesticides: Less chemical runoff reduces pollution.

Properly Dispose of Waste: Regularly pick up pet waste and dispose of it correctly to prevent nutrient pollution.

Follow Fertilizer Laws: Pennsylvania’s 2022 regulations emphasize soil testing before application and careful adherence to usage guidelines.

Use Deicers Responsibly

Winter deicers, like road salt, can harm aquatic ecosystems. To mitigate this:

Apply Strategically: Follow label directions, apply before snow accumulation, and reuse excess salt.

Consider Alternatives: Use deicer alternatives for small areas or when possible.

Join the Watershed-Friendly Property Certification Program: In Pennsylvania, the Watershed-Friendly Property Certification program, a collaboration between Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards and the Nurture Nature Center, offers valuable resources for improving watershed health. Funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this program is open to all property owners, from apartments to large estates.

Get Involved: Visit the certification program’s website at watershedfriendlypa.org to learn more and start making a positive impact on your watershed.

Did You Know?

Penn State Master Watershed Stewards have consistently proven to be some of Stroud Water Research Center's most knowledgeable, active, and consistent volunteers. Through their partnerships with the Stroud Center and other organizations, they plant trees, remove invasive species, collect water quality data, and communicate ways local governments can better manage water resources.

A version of this article written by Teresa Avery, a Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward, first appeared in UpStream Newsletter.

Dive Deeper

Don't Let the Rain Run Away

Have you ever donned rain gear, stood outside your house during a heavy rainstorm, and watched how the water flowed across your property? For most people, the answer is likely not. But doing so can be enlightening if you’re concerned about your local streams and want to learn how your property can reduce local flooding and save on water use. Read more here.

Cultivating Stewardship in our Shared Waters

The Stroud Center’s Impact: Connecting People to Land Uses That Protect Fresh Water. By: Brian Preston

This fall, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Stroud Water Research Center at the Overlook Community Campus in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where a streamside forest and pollinator garden is taking root. What I found was an educational experience taking place just a few feet away from a popular local park trail.

Caring for Trees

How One Man’s Journey to Becoming a Tree Parent is Growing a Forest and Inspiring Others. Walking on a meandering grass trail at the edge of a crop farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Tom Best and Calen Wylie marvel at rows of sycamores, hackberries, and oaks standing 30 feet tall, reaching for the bright sky. The seven acres of woods thickly outline the East Branch of White Clay Creek, protecting it from pollution and a warming climate and creating habitat for fish and other wildlife. When Stroud Water Research Center planted the trees as part of a flood control project seven years ago, the stock averaged a mere 18 inches.

Support Science That Supports Fresh Water

The availability of clean fresh water depends on unbiased research to help people care for land and water. To support the trusted science needed for successful stream and river conservation, donate to the Stroud Center today.

Get Involved

At Stroud Water Research Center, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and stewardship of freshwater systems. You can support our work by participating in community science projects, attending our events, and contributing to our research efforts.

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Freshwater Currents is a free bi-weekly newsletter of Stroud Water Research Center, an independent, nonprofit leader in freshwater research since 1967. The Stroud Center produces the trusted science needed for successful stream and river conservation while fostering peoples passion for the water in their lives.

Keywords: Watershed Health Stormwater, Runoff Reduce Pollution, Pennsylvania Water Quality, Impervious Surfaces, Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens, Tree Planting Benefits, Deep-Rooted Plants, Pollutant Reduction, Fertilizer Laws Pennsylvania, Deicers and Waterways, Watershed-Friendly Certification, Native Plants for Watersheds, Property Owner Actions, Improve Water Quality, Urban Stormwater Management, Green Landscaping Practices, Penn State Extension, Nurture Nature Center

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