Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Planning
Wayne and Pike County, PA 

Lake Wallenpaupack is the largest man-made lake in Pennsylvania. In 1978, F. X. Browne, Inc. developed the organizational plan for the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District and assisted the local counties and municipalities to incorporate the district. We have remained the Lake Manager ever since. F. X. Browne, Inc. obtained over $2 million in watershed grants for the District and developed a comprehensive watershed management plan for the 219 square mile watershed (updated in 2007).

Shaded relief GIS map of the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed

The watershed management program included agricultural BMPs, developed land BMPs, streambank and shoreline stabilization, a runoff control ordinance, and a public education program. Since there are presently nine treatment plants discharging to the lake, F. X. Browne, Inc. developed a program whereby all existing and new treatment plants must voluntarily provide advanced tertiary treatment to reduce phosphorus in the effluent to 0.5 mg/L. As part of the development of the watershed management plan for Lake Wallenpaupack, F. X. Browne, Inc. installed, operated and maintained five automated sampling stations on major tributaries draining to the lake. The water quality and flow data that were collected were used for developing a pollutant budget for the lake, evaluating in-lake water quality treatment, setting priorities for Best Management Practices (BMPs), evaluating the effectiveness of watershed management programs, and evaluating the impact of wastewater treatment plant discharges to Lake Wallenpaupack.

Environmental Education  

F. X. Browne, Inc. developed numerous fact sheets for the district and assisted in developing a slide show for public use. F. X. Browne, Inc. developed and presented seminars on stormwater management and stream restoration to local officials explaining watershed management approaches, as well as nonpoint source pollution prevention seminars for golf course superintendents. We developed an award-winning Environmental Education Curriculum for 10th Graders in the Wallenpaupack Area School District. F. X. Browne, Inc. also organized Conservation Days and Lake Awareness Day, and developed environmental fact sheets.

Nutrient Biostimulation Study  

F. X. Browne, Inc. obtained research funds to perform a biostimulation study using the EPA Algal Assay Test. The purpose of the study was to measure algal growth for various pollutants such as wastewater effluent, cropland runoff, animal waste runoff, septic system leachate, and developed land runoff. The results show which pollutant sources cause the most algal growth. These results allowed the District to prioritize the elements of the watershed management plant so that limited resources can be allocated to the most significant problems in the watershed.

Design and Construction of BMPs  

F. X. Browne, Inc. obtained two EPA grants and one ACOE grant totaling $4 million dollars. As part of this project, we have conducted a watershed assessment of the 219 square mile watershed to identify significant nonpoint source problem areas. These areas have been ranked and prioritized and their locations were added to the LWWMD GIS. F. X. Browne, Inc. designed, permitted and provided construction management services for best management practices (streambank stabilization measures, detention basin retrofits, sand filters, and more), developed a public education program including seminars, fact sheets, and brochures, prepared a Homeowners Handbook for Shoreline and Streambank Stabilization, and enhanced the LWWMD GIS.