OHIO RIVER BASIN REPORT
Fall 2006
Submitted by Kareen Milcic,
Basin Director, PA-AWRA, Ohio River Basin
Ohio River Watershed Celebration
On an afternoon in September 2006, hundreds of participants gathered in the City of Pittsburgh to board The Majestic, the largest of the Gateway Clipper’s fleet. The group spent the afternoon celebrating the fifth Annual Ohio River Celebration. The 5th Ohio River Watershed Celebration focused on the efforts and impacts that small local watershed organizations have had on the restoration of the Three Rivers in Pittsburgh. Typically, watershed organizations are comprised of dedicated, energetic volunteers in numerous communities. In this instance the celebration focused on those groups dedicated to the overall Ohio River Watershed recovery.
Volunteer monitoring may become an integral part of citizen’s awareness of the comprehensive water quality protection. Participation in volunteer groups yields meaningful data collection, immediate responses to changes within the watersheds (citizens are located within the watershed and can readily access the streams during or after precipitation events), and produces better stewards for water quality protection.
Citizens, through participation in local organizations become aware of important watershed indicators. These include designated use support; fish consumption advisories; source water for drinking water systems; contaminated sediments; ambient water quality data; wetland loss; aquatic/wetland species at risk; urban runoff potential; and agricultural runoff potential. These indicators allow members to broadly characterize the condition and vulnerability of the watersheds; to stimulate citizens to know about and work to preserve their watershed; an to help measure progress towards the goal of healthy and productive watersheds.
During the 2006 festivities, participants of the watershed cruise also celebrated recognition from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. That Department named the Three Rivers (Allegheny River, Monongahela River, Ohio River) the “Rivers of the Year” for their role in spurring economic growth, shaping the city’s urban renewal, and providing more water-based recreation