Watershed projects and community engagement in Pine Creek

The Pine Creek Watershed is an urban/suburban watershed that drains into the Allegheny River near Pittsburgh.  In addition to having water quality problems typical of urban streams (sedimentation, bacteria), it has exhibited periodic flooding that has caused millions of dollars of damage and even loss of life.  In 2001, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council began an effort with local groups and municipalities to understand the resources in the basin and begin to address the issues of water quality and quantity.  Multiple assessment and planning documents have been completed or are underway and groups are currently working to implement the recommendations of those plans with the challenges of limited funding and manpower.