Projects

Priority Projects

Fishing Creek

Fishing Creek is another stream that feeds directly into the Susquehanna River and, therefore, directly impacts the health of the Chesapeake Bay.  Two contiguous properties containing nearly two miles of stream were completed in 2020.  Two more farms will be improved in 2021.

In order to identify conservation issues in this watershed, Donegal Trout Unlimited has commissioned a Watershed Improvement Plan for this watershed, partnering with the US Environmental Protection Agency, PA Department of Environmental Protection, and Campbell Foundation to create a detailed plan of action.

Shearers Creek

One of the six projects Donegal Trout Unlimited will complete in 2021 is a joint venture on Shearers Creek, just north of Manheim, PA.  Approached by Director Matt Royer of the Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center, Donegal TU agreed to partner on the project with several other organizations to not only restore portions of the stream but also to bring a number of agriculture best management practices to the farm as well.  This project complements other stream restoration work done previously on this stream.

Past Projects

Peters Creek

DTU completed the Peter Creek Watershed riparian buffer project in the Spring of 2023 to restore the Peters Creek stream on Constellation Energy property located on Peach Bottom Rd in Fulton Township. This second phase cost $169,483 and was funded by PA Fish and Boat Commission, Exelon Fund, and $44,482 from DTU. The restoration project included 2,027 feet of stream on .9 acres, and 340 trees and shrubs planted.

Lapp Creek

DTU completed a Conowingo Watershed riparian buffer project in the Spring of 2023 to restore an unnamed tributary on private property on Maxwell Dr in East Drumore Township. The project cost $270,715 and was funded by PA DEP (EPA 319). The restoration project included 1,850 feet of stream on 1.25 acres with 2 cattle crossings and 87 trees and shrubs planted.

Glick

DTU finished a Fishing Creek Watershed riparian buffer project in 2021 to restore a Fishing Creek stream on private property on Osceola Dr in Drumore Twp. The project cost $134,000 and was funded by PA DEP, Act 319, PA Department of Agriculture, National Federation of Fish and Wildlife, Lancaster Farmland Trust, the Landowner, and DTU. The restoration project included 2350 feet of restored stream on 2.5 acres with one cattle crossing and 570 trees and shrubs planted. 

Yoder

DTU finished a Fishing Creek Watershed project in 2021 to restore a Fishing Creek stream on private property on River Rd in Drumore Twp. The project cost $79,500 and was funded by PA DEP, EPA 319, PA Dept. Agriculture, National Federation of Fish and Wildlife, and Lancaster Farmland Trust. The restoration project included 1685 feet of stream on 2.3 acres, with one cattle crossing and 200 trees and shrubs planted. 

Brandon Clare

DTU finished a Pequea Creek Watershed riparian buffer project in 2020 to restore a Climbers Run stream on private property on Marticville Rd in Martic Twp. The project cost $78,750 and was funded by Cleanwater Partners and DTU. The restoration project included 1320 feet of restored stream. 

Conowingo Creek

Conowingo Creek is one of the few watersheds in Lancaster County which has an Environmental Protection Agency-approved Watershed Improvement Plan (click here for improvement plan), sanctioned in 2006 by Donegal Trout Unlimited. The Watershed Improvement Plan documents more than 100 parcels that are in need of remediation. Each year, we work on projects in this watershed. In 2021, four projects will be completed.

Hammer Creek

This northern Lancaster County stream supports populations of native brook trout as well as wild brown trout. Donegal Trout Unlimited has completed some work on this stream near Brickerville, which included a dam removal and also stream restoration. Funding has been found to remove a second dam on a tributary, which will be done in connection with the replacement of a culvert that is stopping aquatic passage.

In 2019, Donegal Trout Unlimited joined with Doc Fritchey TU to restore this stream from its headwaters in Lebanon County all the way to the dam at Speedwell Forge. With multiple partners playing key roles in this massive project, the assessments of the headwaters are nearly complete, and outreach to property owners has resulted in the first five projects marked for restoration. Some are in the design & permitting stage. This project will take at least 25 years to complete.

Octoraro Creek

The most recent project completed in this watershed was on a tributary to the West Branch of this southern Lancaster County stream in 2019.  Several more projects have been identified and will be assessed and planned during the next year.

Climbers Run

In spite of COVID-19, Donegal Trout Unlimited completed the last needed restoration project on the main stem of this stream in 2020.  Some work on its tributaries was done as well.  This accomplishment took 15 years on another one of the County streams which drains into the Susquehanna River.  It now supports a healthy population of Eastern brook trout.