Welcome to RVS!
Ridge and Valley Streamkeepers (RVS) is a non-profit, non governmental organization devoted to protecting and restoring the health of Town Creek, Sideling Hill Creek, and Fifteen Mile Creek watersheds in western Maryland and south-central Pennsylvania. We have fifteen monitors to measure turbidity, temperature, nitrates, pH, dissolved oxygen, and alkalinity at various sites in the watershed. We have actively monitored for the past ten years and have published data that gives great insight into the quality of our water and what factors influence our water quality, particularly the seasons of the year.
The mission of Ridge and Valley Streamkeepers is to bring together citizens passionate about protecting the health and beauty of Sideling Hill Creek, Fifteen Mile Creek, and Town Creek. Through science and education we work together to study the streams and involve the entire community in conservation of these resources for present and future generations.
These are special watersheds. When you fish, hunt, hike, bike, canoe, or kayak in this area you are in for a special treat. The beauty of this area is tremendous and there is much nature to enjoy. We hope that those that come to enjoy our creeks might consider joining this watershed group. You can offer your support with time or financial help. Learn more by spending time here at our website. Visit our Contacts Page to get in touch with one of the members of RVS. Be a part of this unique watershed group.
About RVS
Protecting and Restoring the Health of Ridge and Valley Watersheds:
The Ridge and Valley Streamkeepers (RVS) is an organization of citizens of the watersheds of Sideling Hill Creek, Town Creek, and Fifteenmile Creek. These landowners, teachers, farmers, sportsmen, business people and others are volunteers who work together in the community to document changes over time in the water quality of Sideling Hill Creek, Town Creek, and Fifteenmile Creek.
All volunteers undergo special training in chemical and biological sampling. RVS is committed to good science and sharing the results of its work with anyone interested in the quality of their local streams. Through educational programs, RVS volunteers work to foster appreciation of the value of these streams. RVS hopes that its work will ensure the preservation of Fifteenmile Creek, Town Creek, and Sideling Hill Creek resources for generations to come.
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is the area of land from which surface and groundwater water drain to the lowest point. This point could be another stream, a lake, a river, a bay, or an ocean. Synonyms for a watershed include drainage basin or catchment basin.
Everyone lives in a Watershed
Watersheds can be large or small. Every stream, tributary, or river has an associated watershed, and small watersheds join to become larger watersheds. It is relatively easy to delineate watersheds using a topographic map that shows stream channels. Watershed boundaries generally follow major ridgelines around channels and meet at the bottom, where water flows out of the watershed, a point commonly referred to as a stream or river.
Why is the concept of a watershed important?
The idea of a watershed is important because it connects the water in a stream, lake, or river with the land that surrounds it. Because water moves from the land into a stream and activity that impacts the water quality or quantity in a watershed can affect all the locations downstream of this point. Because we all live in a watershed, we all need to do our part to protect our watershed’s health!