The Little Lehigh Watershed Stewards organization brings together community residents to protect and conserve water and natural resources in the Little Lehigh and Jordan Creek watersheds. If you are interested in learning more about the group, please use our contact form below.
Recent LLWS Activity
On June 19th, 2021 LLWS worked with the Allentown Parks Department to remove Japanese Knotweed from several sites along the Little Lehigh Creek near the Route 78 bridge in the Lehigh Parkway. Thirteen volunteers worked to cut down knotweed patches and load it into trucks supplied by the Parks Department. Three truckloads were needed to carry away the highly invasive weeds. Japanese Knotweed, if left unchecked, can quickly spread and choke out native plants and trees, creating a monoculture that does not provide suitable habitat for native insects and birds.
Live Stakes Planting event May 8th, 2021
Eleven volunteers worked to plant 150 trees using the live stakes method of planting. Live stakes are branches of trees that are cut when trees are dormant. The cut branches of trees can sprout leaves and roots quickly when planted near water. Some are even planted in the edge of the creek bed. Trees planted in a riparian buffer along the stream prevent future erosion during flood events. Species planted include Dogwood, Pussy Willow and Birch trees.
Water Quality Testing
In the fall, the Little Lehigh Watershed Stewards, in collaboration with the Lehigh County Authority, initiated a water quality testing program. Volunteers go out once every several weeks and use field equipment to test for turbidity, temperature, pH, salinity, total dissolved solids, and conductivity. The goal of this testing program is to allow ongoing evaluation of water quality on the main stem and the main tributaries at nine sites as the stream flows from western Lehigh County into the City of Allentown.
Spring Creek Road Planting
On November 21st, 2020, a Weed and Stake event was held in the area where River Birch trees from an earlier planting along Spring Creek Road in Upper Macungie Township needed some upkeep. Volunteers weeded around the trees, replaced protective sleeves where necessary, and re-staked the saplings.
On October 31st, 2020, the Little Lehigh Watershed Stewards held a cleanup at Trout Creek Park in Allentown. 10 Volunteers pitched in to clean up both banks along a quarter mile of stream. With help from the City of Allentown Parks Department we collected a full truckload of debris from the park.
On October 3rd, 2020, the Little Lehigh Watershed Committee, with the support of the Little Lehigh Chapter of Trout Unlimited, planted 200 trees and shrubs in the riparian buffer of the Little Lehigh along Spring Creek Road in Lower Macungie Township. The land is owned by Lower Macungie Township as dedicated open space.
Twenty volunteers gathered on Saturday, October 3, to plant the riparian trees and shrubs, which were secured by Trout Unlimited through grants from Lehigh County Conservation District and PPL’s Community Roots Tree Program. Trout Unlimited also provided stakes and protective tubing for the newly planted trees.
Calendar of Events