Johnston Run Waterway Revitalization Program
Click Here for a Brochure with More Information

Gathering water from the Tuscarora foot hills, and traveling through farm land, Johnston Run  creates the border between Peters and Montgomery, as it flows past the ball park and VFW, through Mercersburg Borough and on to the West Conococheague, which joins the Potomac River at Williamsport, Maryland.  In 2012 the Borough of Mercersburg, in collaboration with Peters and Montgomery Townships, received a capacity-building grant valued at $100,000 to receive technical assistance toward the revitalization of Johnston’s Run in order to achieve the long-term goal of health for our community and its citizens, Johnston’s Run watershed and the Chesapeake Bay.  The goal is also to effectively engage residents creating lifelong environmental stewards of Johnston’s Run, and establish meaningful discussion among local government, residents, and landowners.
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Along the waterway now and what it could be like with a trail.
And now Johnston Run Stream Side Trail is a reality!



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The Tannery contributed to Johnston Run pollution until the 1980's. The area has been in remediation since then.
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Erosion of the waterway
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Crystal Clear water flowing to Johnston's Run from Tuscarora Ridge.


By participating in this “Building Capacity to Restore Johnston Run as a Living
Waterway” initiative, our community will achieve the following objectives:

  • Identify ecologically sound approaches to effectively manage storm water and periodic flooding
  • Develop a conceptual plan for riparian wetlands and a streamside trail
  • Establish community programs for environmental education and volunteer stewards
  • Improve and sustain water quality and healthy aquatic habitat, and
  • Improve the health and vitality of the Chesapeake Bay
    A waterway consultant - KCI  conducted a general assessment of watershed health and function, along with a more in-depth assessment of the stream corridor for degraded conditions, including: bank erosion, lack of riparian vegetation, livestock allowed in streams, pipe outfalls in or near stream construction, and trash dumping.
    KCI drafted a plan to address effective management of storm water and periodic flooding. The plan will addresses CWA Section 319 elements so that Johnston Run can be removed from the Impaired Waters list. The plan:
  • Identifies and prioritizes sites that appear to be contributing to the sediment and nutrient loading
  • Recommends restoration activities and schedule
  • Delineates a hiking and biking streamside route through borough property.
  • Identifies possible location and content for educational signage along the run to provide the opportunity for environmental education for Johnston Run visitors
  • Develops long-term financing strategies to support the implementation of restoration projects
  • Facilitates public engagement in the planning and design phases of green infrastructure projects
    As part of the watershed assessment, we collected baseline water-quality data,  engaged landowners and other stakeholders along the waterway, and will develop a long-term water-quality monitoring program. We are working with the Boy Scouts and the school district to identify opportunities for youth involvement and education in these water-monitoring efforts. Our goal is to enroll the younger generation in being lifelong environmental stewards. The technical advisor  developed a conceptual design of a downtown waterway trail that helps to improve the aesthetics for businesses and tourism and to become a valuable resource to residents for community activities and personal well-being, decreasing the likelihood that the waterway will become a liability to health, aesthetics and environmental function.