Monthly Ground Water Testing

On March 16th, we collected the sixth round of ground water measurements for the Critical Area Resources Plan. To see the level of the wells visit USGS's Ground Water Monitoring website for Adams County.

This month we had two wells that were overflowing. In the image, the water is flowing over top of the casing and down the side. I put my hand along the well and you can see the water running off my hand.

Want to Volunteer?



Photo of one of the project staff gages.

A great way to get involved in the development of the Critical Area Resource Plan for the Marsh and Rock creek watersheds is to volunteer to collect data. 

Volunteers are needed to record water level readings on two staff gages, one on Marsh Creek and one on Rock Creek.  Ideally, water readings would be taken weekly, however, any additional data collected is an asset to the project.

Volunteers are also needed to collect precipitation data.  This involves installing a rain gage and taking readings to record daily amounts of precipitation.

If you are interested in volunteering to read the staff gage(s) and/or collect precipitation data, please send an email.

Watershed Issues

Problems identified in the Department of Environmental Protection's verification study for the Marsh and Rock Creek watersheds include water demand exceeding supply under certain conditions.  Water quality impairments in both watersheds and proposed interbasin transfers were also a concern.  In addition, anecdotal evidence of streams going dry and  proposed future commercial and residential developments indicate that these problems are not going to get better unless action is taken. 

Concerns about water resources issues were also voiced at the project's public kick-off meeting on September 21, 2010.  Issues raised at the meeting include:

• Growth and development
• Water retention within the watersheds
• Open loop geothermal systems and the effects on other local wells
• Interbasin transfer issues
• Seasonal water shortages
• Chesapeake Bay issues

The following is a list of questions to understand what water resource issues affect you and/or your organization.  You can respond to these questions by posting a comment on this blog or by submitting an email. 

1. Are there additional water resource issues in the Marsh and Rock creek watersheds, other than those listed above?  If so, what are they?
2. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the most important and 1 being the least important), how important are each of these issues to you?
3. For each problem, do you feel it's getting better, worse, or remaining constant?
4. What do you feel are ways to address each of these problems?

What is the Marsh & Rock Creek Critical Area Resource Plan?

Location of Marsh and Rock creeksin Adams County, Pa.

The Marsh and Rock Creek watersheds in Adams County were designated as Critical Water Planning Areas (CWPA) by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in January 2011 under the authority of Act 220 of 2002.   The purpose of this project is to develop a non-regulatory Critical Area Resource Plan (CARP) for the watersheds, as required under the Act.




Due to the geologic characteristics, the lack of surface water storage, and the highly developed portions of the Marsh and Rock Creek watersheds, the availability (particularly seasonal availability) of water is a primary concern for the watersheds.  The expected future growth and development in the Gettysburg area are expected to further strain this limited resource.  The goal of the CARP process, funded by the DEP and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB), is to conduct a detailed investigation of these and other water resources problems and utilize a collaborative stakeholder process to identify solutions.  The plan is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Land uses in Marsh Creek watershed

Land uses in Rock Creek watershed

Collection of high quality hydrologic data is a necessary step in this project and will form the basis of the technical analysis.  Current data collection efforts include groundwater level monitoring by the Adams County Conservation District and installation and maintenance of four staff gages by the United States Geological Survey.  Groundwater levels are available for review online at http://groundwaterwatch.usgs.gov/countymaps/PA_001.html.

Public participation will be a key aspect in the development of practical and implementable solutions to identified problems.  Get involved today!  For more information on the project:

• View the component s and progress of developing a CARP in the Marsh and Rock creek watersheds in Figure 1.
• Download the project flier
• Contact Heidi Moltz at ICPRB via email or phone at 301.274.8116 for more information.

A figure of project tasks and progress is available for viewing here.

Upcoming Events

Critical Area Advisory Committee Meetings (open to the public):
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 from 1-3pm, Ag and Natural Resources Center*
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 from 1-3pm, Ag and Natural Resources Center *
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 from 1-3pm, Ag and Natural Resources Center*

*Map to Agriculture and Natural Resources Center at 670 Old Harrisburg Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325 (http://mapq.st/gmC83r)

Previous Events

First Critical Area Advisory Committee Meeting, Wednesday January 12, 2011 from 1-3pm at the Agriculture and Natural Resources Center.

• The primary objectives of this kick-off meeting are to establish the procedures and organizational structure of the committee and develop a statement of watershed problems to guide the process.
• Download agenda
• Download meeting minutes

Project Kick-off Meeting, Tuesday, September 21, 2010 from 5-7 pm at the Agriculture and Natural Resources Center.

• The purpose of this meeting is to (1) introduce the project to prospective advisory committee members and the general public; (2) identify participants’ concerns on issues facing the watersheds; (3) discuss ways for developing implementable recommendations as an outcome of this project; and (4) nominate project advisory committee members for consideration by the Potomac Regional Committee.
• Download agenda
• Download meeting minutes

Maps

A map of the watersheds is available here 

A map showing the potentially water stressed areas of Adams County is available here 

Links

Watershed Alliance of Adams County (www.adamswatersheds.org/)
Adams County, PA (www.adamscounty.us/)

Marsh Creek Watershed (www.potomacriver.org/pacarp/marshcreekwatershed.pdf)

Rock Creek Watershed (www.potomacriver.org/pacarp/rockcreekwatershed.pdf)

PADEP State Water Plan Website (www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/statewaterplan/docroot/default.aspx)

PADEP Critical Area Resource Plan Guidance Document (www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-77161/392-2130-015.pdf)

Supporting Documentation for Marsh Creek and Rock Creek, Adams County:  Nomination for Critical Water Planning Area under Pennsylvania State Water Plan

(www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/docs/TechnicalDocuments/SupportingDocumentation/Marsh_Rock_Creeks_Report.pdf)

Act 220 Legislation (www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/docs/Legislation/Act_220.pdf)

Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (www.potomacriver.org/)

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