Spotlight on the Yellow Creek Watershed

Mahoning County, OH – The Yellow Creek Watershed is an important part of the Mahoning Valley’s natural landscape, covering nearly 23,000 acres across Mahoning and Columbiana Counties. This watershed provides drinking water for more than 45,000 residents in the communities of Poland, Campbell, and Struthers, making it a critical local resource that supports both people and wildlife.

Photo: Yellow Creek Watershed
Courtesy of Eastgate Regional Council of Governments

The watershed drains approximately 40 square miles and includes Pine, Hamilton, Burgess, and Evans Lakes, as well as portions of Boardman, Beaver, Springfield, and Poland Townships and the City of Struthers. It features a diverse mix of rural, suburban, and urban areas, all of which influence how water moves through the landscape. Because of this, the activities that take place on the land—such as development, lawn care, and agriculture—can have direct effects on water quality and stream health downstream.

Protecting the Yellow Creek Watershed begins with the small actions we take every day. Reducing yard and stormwater runoff, maintaining healthy vegetation along creek banks, and keeping storm drains clear of litter and chemicals all help prevent pollution and protect local streams and reservoirs. Every resident within the watershed has a role to play in keeping this essential water source clean and healthy.

By working together and practicing good land stewardship, we can help ensure that Yellow Creek continues to provide clean, safe water for our communities now and into the future. To learn more about watershed protection and ways to get involved, visit mahoningsoilandwater.org.