06/11/2026
Two of Centre County’s grassroots water monitoring programs have been improved thanks to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Watershed Mini Grant Program!
The Keystone Water Resources Center (KWRC) was awarded funding to expand continuous conductivity monitoring across a land-use gradient. Conductivity is an affordable proxy for detecting chloride spikes caused by road salt. KWRC is a Centre County-based nonprofit dedicated to the protection and sustainable management of water resources in central Pennsylvania. KWRC currently monitors water quality and quantity at 33 sites in the Spring Creek’s Watershed, collaborates with regional academic and agency partners on watershed research, and provides education to the community. Annual reports from 1996-2024 are available at keystonewaterresources.org.
The PA Senior Environmental Corps was awarded funding to purchase four new meters to measure pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, and salinity. It also includes two kick nets to collect macro-invertebrates for assessment of stream biological health. CCPaSEC consists of 70 volunteers monitoring 43 sites in 27 runs, creeks and trout streams in Centre County. Sites are categorized as Marcellus or non-Marcellus due to the impact of natural gas drilling activities and acid mine drainage. Their data is avalible at ccpasec.org.
Financial support for this project is provided by BHE GT&S which is dedicated to the economic, physical and social health of the communities served by BHE GT&S companies. This grant program was administered by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in commitment to its core mission of conserving Pennsylvania’s diverse ecosystems through science-based strategy, leadership, and collaboration.
Photo provided by Western PA Conservancy Staff
