Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association

Lancaster County's Waterways are Precious!

From Conewago Creek to the Conestoga River and beyond, Lancaster County’s creeks, streams, and rivers are vital to our communities. We get our drinking water from them, fish and swim in them, and boat on them. We value their beauty. Yet many of our waterways are impaired by pollution and are often unsafe. Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association (LSRA) monitors our waterways, educates the next generation of waterway stewards, and holds polluters accountable through enforcement of environmental laws.

What is a Riverkeeper? There are Riverkeepers all over the world, advocates united for clean, healthy, and abundant water for all people and the planet. In our backyard, the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper monitors, protects and advocates for our right to clean, healthy waterways and sustainable aquatic resources within an 8,500 square mile jurisdiction of the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed. This includes tributaries throughout Lancaster County and 21 others from Selinsgrove, PA to Havre de Grace, MD. As a member of Waterkeepers Chesapeake, our Riverkeeper joins 17 other riverkeepers from DC, MD, PA, VA, and WV who are invested in fighting to protect their communities, rivers, and streams from pollution and harmful impacts to the Chesapeake Bay. Who is LSRA? Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Wrightsville, PA. Since 2006, we have guarded the Lower Susquehanna River and its tributaries, patrolling, testing, teaching, and fighting for clean water rights for the 2.5 million people who live within the watershed. We have never relied on government funding, only on people who believe that all waterways flowing into the Susquehanna River are worth protecting. 

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Advocacy

Conowingo Dam - Cecil and Hartford County, MD

Cuffs Run - Chanceford Township along the Susquehanna River, York County

West Lake Pipe & Fittings Corporation - Leola, Lancaster County, PA

Public Health & Community Science

Since launching in 2023, our Water Watchdogs Weekly Bacteria Monitoring Program has grown from a small pilot into a trusted public health resource for the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed. What began with one intern testing 5 sites has expanded to 85+ volunteers monitoring more than 25 locations each week from Memorial Day through Labor Day. All testing is processed in our in-house laboratory, so results are shared quickly, right before the weekend. As more people learn about the program, community demand keeps growing. Paddlers, anglers, and families are asking for more testing throughout the watershed, eager to know when their local waters are safe. To keep pace with this momentum, we rely on continued support to maintain our lab, purchase supplies, and empower volunteers. Your support will help us create a cleaner, safer future — one water sample at a time. Learn More: Water Watchdogs

Education

Each year Lancaster County students attend LSRA Field Experiences on the Susquehanna. Our team of educators work with teachers to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience through hands-on programs. Focused on new Pennsylvania science standards, students paddle the river by kayak, collect data from local streams, and so much more. We ensure that every student is introduced to experiential environmental education programming from 5th grade through college. Our goal is to expand these opportunities so even more students can grow curiosity, understanding, and a lifelong connection to their watershed. Your support helps make that possible by funding educator time, supplies, and the experiences that inspire the next generation of river stewards.