Watersheds

What is a watershed? A watershed is an area of land that drains into a common body of water. Everyone lives in a watershed! Indiana County has an abundance of flowing freshwater; however, much of it is plagued with pollution. The District works to address sources of pollution including abandoned mine drainage, sediment, and nutrients. Every year the District conducts watershed assessments, develops implementation plans, oversees restoration projects, provides capacity-building technical assistance to watershed organizations, and conducts public education and outreach events.

Abandoned Mine Reclamation

With our partner organizations, the Indiana County Conservation District (ICCD) works to address the impacts that legacy mining has had on water quality. Over 60% our our waterways are impaired with many degraded by abandoned mine drainage (AMD). Additionally, our landscape is blighted with several areas of vast acres of coal refuse (bony piles). All of these sources of impairment contribute to immense ecological damage, poor water quality, and stifled economic development.

Check out the below StoryMap which illustrates the locations of various treatment systems completed by ICCD and our partners.

Create a Riparian Buffer!

Interested in helping to protect your watershed? Consider planting a Riparian Buffer around your stream. Riparian Buffer Zones (RBZ) are vegetated areas adjacent to streams that filter out pollutants, aid in flood control, and stabilize stream banks to minimize soil erosion. The District partners with other organizations to offer mini-grants to install riparian buffers throughout the county.

If you are interested in a riparian buffer, please contact our Projects Assistant AmeriCorps Member.

10 Million Trees Partnership Program

We have teamed up with the 10 Million Trees Partnership program to be able to offer free trees to those interested in completing riparian buffer and other reforestation projects. To learn more about the 10 Million Trees Partnership program, please visit their website.

What to get on the list for free trees? Please contact our Conservation Program Specialist.

Concerned about Mosquitos and Ticks?!?

Indiana County is serviced by the Cambria County Vector Control Office under the guidelines of the Department of Environmental Protection Vector Management Division.

For questions about the control of mosquitos and ticks in your community, reach out to Mary Vibostok, Vector Control Coordinator, by CLICKING HERE to visit their website.

Indiana County by the Numbers (as of July 14, 2023):

Mosquito Contol

99 Larval Collections
210 Adult Mosquito Traps
2 West Nile Virus Mosquito Pool Positives in Brush Valley Township and Homer City Borough

Tick Control at Seven Unique Sites

18/138 Positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum
33/139 Positive for Borrelia burgdoferi s.l.
0/139 Positive for Babesia microti

Additional Resources