By: Rachael Marques, PCCD Watershed Specialist

During the 2022 surface water sampling season, Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) staff sampled 17 sites for macroinvertebrates and 6 sites for fish throughout Pike County! This adds to over 20 years of data on Pike County streams. This year, in addition to the Annual Surface Water Quality Report, PCCD has put together a brief, one-sheet review of the results.  

Overall, the results show good stream health for Pike County streams and we at PCCD aim to keep our streams healthy! This is important in Pike County not only for the health of our ecosystems but for the health of our residents and economy. For more detailed information about the 2022 surface water monitoring results, check out the newly formatted 2022 Surface Water Quality Report here. PCCD Watershed Specialist Rachael Marques will also be hosting a webinar which will review not only the 2022 surface water results, but also the groundwater study results from the last four years as presented to us by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Register here.  

Infographic of 2022 Surface Water Monitoring Results

In 2023, the District aims to continue the monitoring with 10 macroinvertebrate sites and 7 fish sites. The sites are usually sampled on a rotational schedule but have been reorganized due to COVID-19. We are adjusting our sampling times to account for any affect on data which may have occurred in 2022. The District is also working closely with PA Department of Environmental Protection this year (PADEP) to update our methodology and understand newly released metrics of stream health. Check back later in the year for the next round of surface water data!