Strodes Creek Conservancy Cleans Up Area Waterway
ecology, recreation, strodes creek, strodes creek conservancy,
The Strodes Creek Conservancy is doing whatever it can to clean up the waterway it was named after.
The conservancy was developed in 2004 for the sole purpose of finding ways to help revitalize the creek and its tributaries. For many years, part of Strodes Creek has not been able to support recreational activities such as swimming, tubing, boating and fishing.
“The federal government provides 60 percent of the annual funding to operate the conservancy, while the city of Winchester provides the other 40 percent,” says Shanda Cecil, project coordinator of the Strodes Creek Conservancy. “That 40 percent backing shows that we have forward-thinking local leaders who see the need to improve this waterway.”
Cecil says Strodes Creek is located in an area that, unfortunately, adds to its pollution.
“The interstate runs over the waterway, so the creek gets all the dirty spillover from the highway whenever it rains,” she says. “Plus, whenever we get a heavy rainfall, the local wastewater treatment plant often fails and results in raw sewage getting dumped in the creek. Thankfully, the city is working on correcting the wastewater treatment plant problem.”
Cecil says the creek is also affected by agricultural development.
“Cattle use the creek for drinking and bathing, so the conservancy has implemented a fencing program along the creek that prevents cattle from using it,” she explains.
The conservancy is also planting as many trees as possible along the banks of Strodes Creek.
“If you shade the creek with trees, it allows light to filter through the water to keep the creek cool,” she adds. “That is what we are trying to accomplish.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
Photo by Todd Bennett
