Bringing Life Back to Deckers Creek

I was born and raised in this town. Morgantown, West Virginia that is. Suppose I should make that clear. Never got around to leaving either. Gotten an interesting perspective that way, noticed the changes over the years.

In total, Deckers Creek is 24.6 miles long, spanning from Preston County to Monongalia County, West Virginia. The creek begins west of Arthurdale and weaves through the land towards Morgantown, where it empties into the Monongahela River.

The creek, Deckers Creek that is, admittedly, was not something I put much thought into as a child. It was just some water that flowed near our house and the park we occasionally visited.

Deckers Creek has been a hub of activity since people have inhabited the area. Native American tribes first populated the expanse of land surrounding the creek thousands of years ago. Then, in the late 1750s when European settlers began to occupy the territory, the creek became a source of power for a number of industries, fueling the economic growth in the region. At the time, Deckers Creek was the heart of people’s livelihoods.

The creek has since become a point of attraction for recreation. Its waters offer superb opportunities for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. The forests surrounding the creek offer beautiful paths ideal for hiking.

When I was growing up, Mama had told us – my siblings and I – not to go wading into the creek. It had been a fair request, looking back. The water sure had been fouled then. A shame though, it would have been a nice way to beat the summer heat. 

Must have been around the mid to late 90s when I started to recognize any difference in the creek.

The Deckers Creek Watershed was once an unspoiled expanse. The presence and advancement of people drastically changed that. However, people can also work to bring the watershed back to its original state. This is evident by the effort put forth by Friends of Deckers Creek. Since 1995, FODC has been striving to restore the Deckers Creek Watershed.

To improve the natural qualities of, increase the public concern for, and promote the enjoyment of the Deckers Creek Watershed.

Since the organization’s inception, FODC has made impressive progress with respect to watershed remediation. Waterways that once could not nurse any aquatic life, are now able to maintain fish. Though they primarily promote the creek as catch and release, they are still working to transform it into a sustainable fishery with a wider variety of organisms.

Friends of Deckers Creek has always been an organization focused on community involvement. It was founded by members of the community that saw the potential Deckers Creek had to offer and hoped to make a difference together. Since its formation, FODC has relied on community involvement to accomplish its goals. To do this, they have to have strong outreach programs. 

I got to thinking… maybe I could help too.

Though we may want to help, we may think that we do not have the time or the money to do so. But that just is not true. There are ways to prevent the degradation of the watershed while still keeping in mind any and all constraints you may have.

• If you notice something, say something. Illegal dumping and spills can and should be reported. There are channels you can go through to reach the appropriate groups:
•  CreekDog 
•  WV Department of Environmental Protection Spill Line 
• Volunteer. If you have the time, Friends of Deckers Creek is always looking for the assistance.
•  Citizen Scientist 
•  WVU iServe 
• Be conscious of your environmental stewardship. Through conservation and sustainable practices, the environment can be protected. Options include composting or the implementation of rain barrels.

Ultimately, the restoration of the Deckers Creek Watershed is up to all of us.

I remember when the creek used to flow orange, and now… now the water is running cleaner than it has in decades. Life is finally coming back to the creek.