Friends of Fishing Creek will hold a workday on Sunday, July 18. Volunteers are welcome and should meet at Drumore Park, 1675 Furniss Road, Drumore, at 8:30 a.m.

The purpose of the workday is to remove more than 10 rock dams from the Lancaster Conservancy's South Fishing Creek Preserve, which stretches along 3 miles of the stream. These dams were constructed by visitors to the preserve, and they have a negative impact on aquatic life. Rock dams built in creeks and streams raise the temperature of the water, cause silt and sediment build-up, and destroy macroinvertebrate and fish habitat.

In addition to removing the dams, visitors will hang temporary posters in the preserve to let people know why the dams have been removed and to remind people that if they construct a dam, they need to remove it the same day.

Fishing Creek has been designated as a high-quality cold-water stream, and it is one of the few local places where native trout can still be found. These fish need colder water temperatures to survive.

The public is also reminded not to leave any trash behind after visiting a nature preserve.

Local residents are encouraged to volunteer with any of the groups that work to improve the Fishing Creek watershed. These groups include the Lancaster Conservancy, Donegal Trout Unlimited, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and Friends of Fishing Creek.