Spotlight on the Meander Creek Watershed
Mahoning County, OH – Nestled across Mahoning and Trumbull Counties lies one of the Mahoning Valley’s most vital natural resources — the Meander Creek Watershed. Covering roughly 50,000 acres, this watershed plays a crucial role in supplying clean drinking water, supporting agriculture, and maintaining the environmental health of our region.
At the heart of the watershed is Meander Reservoir, a scenic yet highly important body of water that serves as the primary drinking water source for more than 200,000 residents in the Mahoning Valley. The reservoir provides water to Austintown, the City of Youngstown, and surrounding communities, making the protection of this watershed a shared regional responsibility.
Photo: Meander Creek Watershed
Courtesy of Eastgate Regional Council of Governments
The Meander Creek Watershed drains approximately 86 square miles of land, encompassing portions of Austintown, Berlin, Canfield, Ellsworth, Goshen, Green, Jackson, Milton, and Weathersfield Townships, as well as the incorporated areas of Canfield, Lordstown, and Niles. Its landscape is a diverse mix of agricultural fields, residential neighborhoods, and commercial developments, each of which influences the watershed’s overall water quality and ecological balance.
“Our goal is to protect and enhance this critical watershed for generations to come,” said Kathi Vrable-Bryan, Executive Director for the Mahoning County Soil & Water Conservation District. “The Meander Creek Watershed isn’t just about streams and reservoirs — it’s about safeguarding the health, safety, and quality of life for the people who depend on it every day.”
Healthy watersheds provide countless benefits, from filtering pollutants and reducing flood risks to providing wildlife habitat and supporting recreation. With thoughtful management and community involvement, the Meander Creek Watershed can continue to serve as a reliable, clean, and sustainable water source well into the future.
As local conservation partners continue their collaborative work, residents can do their part too — by reducing runoff from lawns, properly disposing of household waste, maintaining septic systems, and supporting local conservation initiatives.
Protecting the Meander Creek Watershed means protecting the water we drink, the farms that feed us, and the communities we call home.
