Elk Creeks Watershed Association

Home
United States
Oxford, PA
Elk Creeks Watershed Association

Directions Website

Elk Creeks Watershed Assn (ECWA) protects the Elk creeks in southeast PA and northeast MD.

10/31/2026

Most of the stream water in our suburban areas would be considered too salty for someone on a low salt diet! It is amazing as you look at the map and begin to understand how we are polluting one of two most critical substances required for our survival. Our aquifers are becoming increasingly polluted.

ECWA was happy to participate again in the data collection for this study. The first comment includes a link to Stroud’s Salt map from our work earlier this month. The colors indicate the salt concentrations with light blue being below detectable limits and bright red above 230 mg/l. Our more rural watershed looks pretty good. As you look at the map, the influence of suburban and urban developments become very clear. As a marker for relevance, the EPA rates water above 31mg/l as inappropriate from consumption by those on a low salt diet. 31mg/l is the marker for below detectable limits. Oxford Region EAC

10/19/2026

This refers to New England but it’s also just starting to bloom in our area.

As autumn foliage reaches its peak across New England, American witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.) offers a unique splash of color in the woodland understory. Unlike most plants, which flower in spring or summer, this small, spreading tree produces its crinkly yellow flowers in fall, brightening the landscape as many other plants prepare for winter. Its unusual blooming season is a wonderful reminder to slow down and appreciate the colors, textures, and subtle details of the changing season.⁠

Inspired by the beauty of autumn in the woodland garden, join us on Saturday, October 24, from 1–4 PM for Autumn Watercolor, a special workshop at Garden in the Woods taught by artist Heidy Sumei Chuang. Participants will practice capturing the light and colors of fall foliage through wet-on-wet watercolor techniques, experimenting with warm and cool earth tones and layering paints to bring the woodland landscape to life. No previous painting experience is necessary, and beginners are warmly welcomed.⁠

Register here: https://nativeplanttrust.org/class/autumn-watercolor/

Photo: American witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.)

10/16/2026

Apparently yesterday was National Mushroom Day. Being late won’t stop us from posting some of the amazing fungus from around the watershed.

10/15/2026

Another troubling story from nearby - this time immediately to the west of us :(

10/14/2026

ECWA is coordinating sampling from several locations around the watershed this Sunday morning. Please contact us if you’d like to help out.

🧂 Road salt pollution doesn't end when winter does.

Salt used on roads, sidewalks, and parking lots can linger in our waterways year-round. But how much is in your local stream? You can find out!

Join Stroud Water Research Center and our community partners for the Fall Salt-Pollution Stream Snapshot, October 15–18.

Collect a water sample from a local stream and bring it to a participating drop-off location, where our partners will test it for salt pollution. Your sample will help build a clearer picture of water quality across our region.

📍Check out the map and our event page linked below to find participating locations near you!

Learn how to collect a sample, find drop-off dates and times, and get involved: stroudcenter.org/event/fall-salt-pollution-stream-snapshot

You can also drop off a sample and join the Stroud Center and our friends at Chesapeake Bay Foundation for our road salt pollution-awareness event at the PA State Capitol on the 19th: stroudcenter.org/event/salt-pollution-water-testing-event-in-harrisburg

Brandywine Red Clay Alliance
Master Watershed Stewards of Bucks County
Foodshed Alliance
Penn State Master Watershed Stewards of Montgomery County
Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards, Chester & Delaware Counties
Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust
Penn State Extension

📸 PA State Capitol: Warren LeMay CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Flickr
📸 Volunteer collecting water sample: TTF Watershed CC BY-NC-SA , via Flickr

10/13/2026

Tucker and friends heading out to remove invasive species in the park! We’ve had a fun and busy month. ECWA volunteers tabled at the Franklin Township Fall Festival and assisting with a very wet but successful tree giveaway at Oxford First Friday with the ORPC EAC and Alliance for the Chesapeake.

We participated in a local Green Stormwater Infrastructure assessment with the Brandywine Conservancy, submitted comments on East Nottingham Township’s revised Pollution Reduction Plan, and toured the Blank Farm streambank and floodplain restoration project that is the main element of the PRP.

All this in addition to our regular invasive species removal and riparian buffer maintenance workdays. We are grateful for Tucker and the many two-legged volunteers who make it possible.

10/10/2026

This is not our watershed but it’s sad to see.

Pennsylvania agencies warn against eating any fish from the Wissahickon Creek Basin due to forever chemicals exceeding safety thresholds.

Address

PO Box 111
Oxford, PA
19363

Website

http://www.elkcreekswatersheds.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Elk Creeks Watershed Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.