The Lehigh River Watershed Project is an ongoing four year partnership between Lehigh Earth Observatory and Wildlands Conservancy with the goal of providing a Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial framework for analyzing enviornmental vector based data for the Lehigh River Watershed. For a more detailed look at this project, please download this powerpoint presentation.

GIS Maps

GIS mapping provides a spatial framework for analyzing environmental data, such as water quality data, and relating it to the characteristics of the land around it. The Lehigh River drains an area of more than 1364 square miles, a watershed within which more than one million people live and work. Because of the conflicting demands on the area's water resources from agriculture, industry, suburban development, recreation, and preservation constituencies, LEO's capabilities are particularly focused on water quality research on the Lehigh River and its many tributaries. Students have participated in collecting and assembling the watershed, and surveying using GPS and altimetry to "ground-truth" the digital data for building GIS coverages of the Lehigh River Watershed.

To view GIS coverages through Arc IMS, click here.
To download GIS coverages for the Lehigh River Watershed click here

Watershed Assessment

The upcoming watershed assessment on the Lehigh River is funded through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Rivers Conservation Program. The purpose of the program is to restore, maintain, or enhance river resources and values through the formulation of a program of action. Data on significant natural, recreational, and cultural resources are identified, and cause and effect relationships are defined and assessed to formulate actions that best conserve rivers and river values

Management Plan

As part of the Rivers Conservation Program, Wildlands Conservancy will be developing a comprehensive management plan for the Lehigh River watershed. The process used to formulate the plan will include conducting informational public meetings, collecting and analyzing resource data, and forming recommendations based on public input and study findings. Upon completion of the management plan, Wildlands Conservancy will petition for the Lehigh River to be listed on the PA Rivers Conservation Registry. Listing on the registry will deem the Lehigh River eligible for funding toward implementation of restoration and improvement projects. It is our goal to restore and improve the health of the Lehigh River watershed so that it continues to provide viable resources for future generations.

We are in the initial phases of publishing the Lehigh River Watershed coverages. Please click here to take a peek.