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Nanticoke Watershed Alliance Deputy Director Beth Wasden said in looking over data from the past 15 years, it is clear that the Lower Nanticoke region — which spans from Riverton to Nanticoke — has seen continued growth.

“It’s a very hopeful thing to see,� she said. “And I’m certainly hoping that as we continue to examine data every year, that we’ll continue to see improvements in the Lower Nanticoke and hopefully in other regions as well.�

The 2023 report measured algae, nitrogen, phosphorus, water clarity, dissolved oxygen and the concentration of ions in the six regions of the Nanticoke.

Wasden noted that two of the watershed’s six regions received Fs for total nitrogen measures. According to the report, excessive nitrogen in waterways can fuel algal blooms and cause low dissolved oxygen and fish kills. The report says that four regions — Marshyhope Creek, Delaware Headwaters, Lower Nanticoke and Lower Creeks — saw improved total nitrogen grades in 2023.

Wasden said although it may not sound good that two regions are getting Fs in this category, it’s good to see improvement elsewhere.

“When you’ve had years and years of most of the regions scoring Fs in total nitrogen, it’s a really bright spot to see some of those regions performing better,� she said.

Wasden also talked about some of the negative results in the report card. She said that there continues to be impairment issues on some creeks. According to the report card, Barren, Quantico and Rewastico creeks continue to be “heavily impaired.�

The report card also showed that the Upper Nanticoke and Broad Creek regions, which received Cs overall, scored the worst. According to the report card, this continues a long-term trend.

Wasden said everyone should care about the Nanticoke River because it is a big part of the Nanticoke River watershed.

�A lot of us enjoy participating or using the river, whether we’re fishing or kayaking,� she said. “Maybe we have a property along one of (its) waterways. Maybe we like going to a park that’s along the river or one of the creeks. So it’s a big part of our lives, and we should want to support clean water to have healthy wildlife and also healthy people to enjoy the water.�

Wasden said that when the water is polluted, people might not be able to use it or go in it, which can “take some enjoyment out of our lives.�

�Especially when you think about, for example, how hot this past summer was, just being able to get into a healthy body of water can really help you cool down,� she said.

Laura McCann is in her second year as a creekwatcher with the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance. As a creekwatcher, McCann helps calibrate water testing equipment and collects water samples at two sites. She helps with testing, including measuring depth and clarity of the water and testing pH levels.

McCann said that along fertilizers can be detrimental to the river's health. She said that keeping the river healthy helps keep the environment healthy.

"If you don’t watch that health, it can affect everything," she said.

McCann said she hopes the steady improvements in the river's health continue. She said putting out report cards and other outreach will help.

"Water reports, things like that, will help build education and help other people understand the importance of what we’re trying to do," she said.

Those interested in learning more about the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance can visit or visit them on Facebook or Instagram. Those interested in volunteering with the organization can register to become a creekwatcher next season. Wasden said registration will open in January and training will be in March.