To do this, qualified professionals and community volunteers will be collecting primary (first-hand) and secondary (historical) data on the waterways within the watershed. They will be collecting water for chemical analysis, looking at the vegetation along the creek banks, and collecting samples of the fish and insects that live in the creeks and their tributaries. They will also be collecting sediment samples to see how much sediment has collected, when, and why. Sedimentation, a consequence of erosion, is responsible for the increase in flooding in Boyers, Hillards, and other areas within the watershed.

The assessment is expected to require two years to complete. Once the data has been gathered, it will be analyzed, and a comprehensive restoration and protection plan developed. As its name implies, this plan will include suggestions on how to restore and protect the watershed by removing current pollution sources and reducing the potential for future pollution to occur. Note that the plan will contain suggestions for action. The watershed assessment will not result in any regulatory action -- no one will be telling landowners what they must do with their property. Although access to all the stream channels in the watershed is important to a full assessment, we will respect the wishes of property owners who do not wish to grant the assessment team access to their property. If you do not want us to access your property, please let us know.

Since the assessment is all about the health of our water, collecting water samples for analysis is critical. The chemical components found in the creek water will fluctuate due to many conditions such as temperature, amount of sunlight reaching the water, recent rainfall, etc., so samples must be taken at regular intervals over a long period of time. You can help us collect these samples. We will provide you with training, equipment, and show you the sample location. You will then be responsible for collecting the samples, performing a few simple field tests on the water, filling out a short form and dropping it and the sample at a specified location. Samples must be collected once a month for a full year, beginning in April of 2003. If you're interested, contact Aquascape (724-458-6610) – even if it's after April!

The watershed assessment is about historical trends in the watershed as much as current conditions. So, we are looking for any historical data you might have. Did your grandfather fish a stream that no longer supports more than mosquitoes? Do you have any family pictures that show how the waterways or the surrounding land was used in the past? Do you know of any abandoned mine seeps? We'd be interested! We'll be sure to return anything you bring/send that you want back.