What's in the water? Find out the answer to that question at a creek stomp organized by the Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance. The event will be held at Little Chiques Park, 229 Park Ave., Mount Joy, beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9.

"The creek stomp is a great opportunity to get in the creek and explore," said Steve Gergely, president of the watershed alliance. "What we're looking for specifically at the creek stomp are macroinvertebrates. The types of macroinvertebrates found in the water are good bioindicators of the creek's and overall watershed's health."

He noted that the program is led by staff from the Lancaster County Conservation District, who guide participants in what to look for in the water. "They do a terrific job of engaging participants of all ages ... and following with a share session for everyone to see what was found and what that means for the health of the creek," he stated.

He encourages participants to wear shoes and clothes that can get wet and to come prepared to learn more about how we are all connected to the world around us.

"We like to say, 'We all live downstream,'" Gergely remarked. "Everything we do in our daily lives, no matter who we are, affects the quality of our water. Healthy water is a good indicator of the overall health of our environment."

After the creek stomp, Mount Joy Borough stormwater enforcement officer Dave Salley will give a walking tour of the park's wildflower meadow. The borough planted a 1.32-acre riparian buffer on the west side of the creek in 2018, featuring approximately 80 native trees, a nature trail and the wildflower meadow. The tour will also showcase the 136 trees that were staked and planted in a half-acre open space in the park this spring by the borough, the Penn State Extension and volunteers.

The creek stomp is part of Lancaster Water Week, created to promote the health of local watersheds. Participation in the creek stomp is limited, and preregistration is required. To register, visit the Lancaster Conservancy's website, http://www.lancasterconservancy.org, and click on the "Upcoming Events" link under "Get Involved."