Octoraro Watershed Association

The Watershed Association was founded in 1967 by a group of Chester and Lancaster County residents dedicated to protecting water quality, promoting sound land use practices and raising environmental awareness.

In 1983 we were instrumental in placing thirty-four miles of the East and West branches and the main stem of the Octoraro Creek in the Pennsylvania Scenic Rivers Program.  This was one of Pennsylvania's first Scenic River designations.  In 1986, we developed the Octoraro Taskforce which studied the problems of the Watershed and made recommendations to the townships and boroughs for stream corridor protection.   In 1998, through a grant from Pennsylvania DCNR and with the help of a community taskforce we studied and prepared a Watershed Conservation Plan.

We partner with watershed landowners to improve water quality.  Through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife “Partners for Wildlife” Program, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, NRCS,   the County Conservation Districts, and other partners: Farmers are installing stream bank fencing and riparian buffers.  These projects seek to restore wildlife habitat, stabilize stream banks, and filter pollutants from watershed stream banks.  These programs are constantly expanding to include new partners.  Our continuing goal is to improve water quality throughout the Watershed. 

Twice a year we publish our Newsletter which disseminates historical, environmental, scientific, and education information

We hold our annual membership meeting each spring which includes dinner, a guest speaker, and our annual business meeting.  Our Board of Directors meets quarterly.  These meetings are held in the watershed office and are open to members and the public.