About us...

The Bertsch-Hokendauqua-Catasauqua Watershed Association (BHCWA) was established February 4, 2009 by a group of concerned citizens from northwestern Northampton County. These local men and women are dedicated to advocating for, protecting and improving the region’s water resources for families throughout northwestern Northampton County and nearby communities in Lehigh County. The mission of BHCWA is to promote stewardship of, protect, enhance and restore watersheds that are tributary to the Lehigh River within Northampton County between Catasauqua Borough and Lehigh Gap. The primary goal of this all-volunteer, community watershed organization is to ensure that there is enough clean, safe drinking water for families who currently live in the region, as well as future generations to come.

BHCWA is committed to protecting and improving the water resources and quality of life for the many thousands of people who live, work and play in the boroughs and townships that encompass the 80-square-mile region drained by the Bertsch, Hokendauqua, and Catasauqua Creeks and adjacent streams. In whole or in part, this region includes the boroughs of Catasauqua, North Catasauqua, Northampton and Walnutport; and the townships of Hanover, Allen, East Allen, Lehigh and Moore, in both Northampton and Lehigh Counties. Important natural areas in the region include the Blue Mountain, Lehigh Gap, Rockdale Cliffs, Devil’s Potato Patch, Bertsch Creek Seep, Neff’s Pond and the Weaversville Ponds. And significant outdoor recreational sites in the region include the world-famous Appalachian Trail, State Game Lands 168, Walnutport Canal, Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and State Heritage Park, the Wayne Grube Memorial County Park, the Nor-Bath Rail Trail, the proposed Lehigh Township Rail Trail and many municipal parks.

BHCWA meets regularly on the second Monday of each month at 7PM.  Contact Jim Wilson at the above listed e-mail address or phone number for location and directions.  All meetings are open to the public.  For additional meeting information, click here.