Monroe County Watersheds
Monroe County is at the heart of the Poconos, a region known for its scenic beauty, spectacular waterfalls, pristine wild trout streams and forested landscapes.
There are nearly 83,000 miles of rivers and streams in Pennsylvania with approximately 900 miles here in Monroe County.
Nearly all of the streams in Monroe County are designated by the state as being of High Quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV). These designations mean that these waters deserve “special protection” to maintain their present condition.
In fact, of the 83,000 miles of streams in PA, only 2% are classified as EV, and 80% of those EV streams are here in the Monroe, Pike, and Wayne County portions of the Poconos.
The Poconos are within easy driving distance to over 1/10th of the nation’s population. One of the greatest threats to the health of Pocono streams is nonpoint source pollution. This type of pollution is generated as the region’s landscape is converted from forested open space to bedroom communities to accommodate those from the urban areas of New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia.
One of the best ways to manage water resources is on a watershed scale, and the best way to offset the impacts of nonpoint source pollution is to educate residents in watershed communities that what they do on their property will in some way have an impact on the watershed and to understand that we “all live down stream.”
MCCD would like to acknowledge the Aquashicola and Pohopoco Watershed Conservancy, the Brodhead Watershed Association, the Bushkill Watershed Conservancy and the Tobyhanna Creek and Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Association for their assistance in development of this web site.
“If there is magic on this planet, it must be contained in water.”
- Loren Eiseley
2015 Water Quality Study
There are nearly 83,000 miles of rivers and streams in Pennsylvania with approximately 900 miles here in Monroe County.
Nearly all of the streams in Monroe County are designated by the state as being of High Quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV). These designations mean that these waters deserve “special protection” to maintain their present condition.
In fact, of the 83,000 miles of streams in PA, only 2% are classified as EV, and 80% of those EV streams are here in the Monroe, Pike, and Wayne County portions of the Poconos.
The Poconos are within easy driving distance to over 1/10th of the nation’s population. One of the greatest threats to the health of Pocono streams is nonpoint source pollution. This type of pollution is generated as the region’s landscape is converted from forested open space to bedroom communities to accommodate those from the urban areas of New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia.
One of the best ways to manage water resources is on a watershed scale, and the best way to offset the impacts of nonpoint source pollution is to educate residents in watershed communities that what they do on their property will in some way have an impact on the watershed and to understand that we “all live down stream.”
MCCD would like to acknowledge the Aquashicola and Pohopoco Watershed Conservancy, the Brodhead Watershed Association, the Bushkill Watershed Conservancy and the Tobyhanna Creek and Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Association for their assistance in development of this web site.
“If there is magic on this planet, it must be contained in water.”
- Loren Eiseley
2015 Water Quality Study
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Technical Section
Monday through Friday: 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Phone: (570)629-3060 • Fax: (570)629-3063 |
Environmental Education Center
Monday through Friday: 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Some Saturdays 9a.m. - 1p.m. Phone: (570)629-3061 • Fax: (570)629-3063 |
Come explore the trails! They are open dawn to dusk year round!
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