From Creek to Community:Restoring Deckers Creek Watershed

Abstract

This project was conducted out of the Center for Resilient Communities in partnership with local non-profit Friends of Deckers Creek. This research explored the impacts of industrialization and water contamination on the health and well-being of community members in the Deckers Creek Watershed. West Virginia’s rolling mountains, steep slopes, and low hollers are a place where many families and individuals call home. Our beautiful landscape is full of mountains and rivers that continue to be a source of joy for many of the people living within the region. When West Virginians reflect on what makes them feel connected to this place, it is often the people and the landscape that come to mind. The Appalachian landscape is distinctive, but it has suffered from significant environmental degradation due to various economic industries. More specifically, the Deckers Creek watershed has experienced the boom and bust of coal mining along the banks of its streams. Stretching 24.6 miles through Monongalia and Preston Counties, the watershed touches the lives of tens of thousands of residents. Unfortunately, pollution from historical mining and other sources has compromised the health of the creek, leading to the loss of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and, most critically, access to clean water. Through a historical analysis of newspaper archives, community mapping exercise, community surveys, and water sampling, this research focuses on the benefits of conducting a holistic assessment of watersheds and how to build more just, vibrant, and resilient communities