Director’s Notebook: Trout Fishing in the Wissahickon
One of the first signs of spring in Wissahickon Valley Park is the annual trout stocking by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It is a tremendous undertaking and there are many good reasons for this effort, including its potential to connect people to the waterway and improve their understanding of its importance in the larger Wissahickon ecosystem. An article published this weekend in the Philadelphia Inquirer makes it clear just how successfully this annual event engages people of all ages.
Readers may not be aware that the Wissahickon Creek is eligible to receive funding from state or federal government agencies because the creek is classified a trout-stocked (TSF) waterway by the PA DEP. This classification allows us and our partners upstream and downstream to claim certain benefits and funding for work necessary to continue protecting and preserving the creek and the park.
The trout stocking is a great reminder to all of us that we need to continue our efforts to support upstream and downstream municipal efforts to improve our water quality through the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Alternative. Read more on this and the Wissahickon Clean Water Partnership here.
As we begin to enjoy the outdoors again this spring, we should also remember that we can all improve the water quality of the creek by reducing stormwater runoff on our properties with
- rain gardens and rain barrels;
- native shrubs and trees that absorb more water;
- reduced fertilizer use; and
- moderate water use in homes and businesses.
You can find more suggestions for reducing stormwater runoff here.
by Maura McCarthy, FOW Executive Director
Photo:John Flack, an avid fisherman, launches his fish into the mighty Wissahickon. Photo by Doug Wechsler (2007)