Kenneth Depoe honored for his long-time commitment to conservation of the Donegal Creek
MOUNT JOY – Sen. Ryan Aument (R-36) joined local officials and residents, including Mike Brubaker (East Donegal Twp Supervisor) and Kurt Enck (Donegal Fish & Conservation Association member) today to rename the State Route 772 bridge over Donegal Creek on Anderson Ferry Road in East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, as the ‘Kenneth C Depoe, DFCA, Bridge’ in honor of Mr. Depoe’s long-time commitment to conservation of the Donegal Creek.
Because of Mr. Depoe’s efforts dating back to the early 1960s, Donegal Creek is a destination not only for local trout fisherman but also for anglers from around the state.
“I’m hoping to continue these types of projects, especially for kids,” said Mr. Depoe. “Kids today need activities to help them get outside and get them involved in conservation.”
“The Donegal Creek is a treasured trout stream today because of the hard work that Ken put into it,” said Aument. “It is fitting that this bridge be dedicated to him and his legacy.”
Some highlights of Mr. Depoe’s conservation efforts that prompted the renaming of this bridge include:
- He started a fly tying club at Donegal High School and began stream improvement projects on Donegal Creek so his students would have a place to fish with the flies they created in the club.
- He helped establish the Donegal Fish and Conservation Association (DFCA).
- He helped establish and became the first president of the Donegal Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
- He was instrumental in creating a cooperative trout nursery with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
- Thanks to Ken’s leadership, a two-mile stretch of the reclaimed Donegal was officially designated as a special regulation fly-fishing-only stream and was included in the state’s stocking program.
“Through Ken’s leadership and relationship building, we were able find a way to not only be productive farmers, but also to be environmentalists and improve water quality and fish habitat,” said Mike Brubaker. “Much of the improvement and change we saw in the Donegal Creek was a result of Mr. Depoe’s work.”
“Ken has been instrumental in local conversation since the early 1960s,” said Kurt Enck. “Today, the Donegal Creek contains a healthy number of stocked trout, but it’s noteworthy for its abundance of wild trout, which are the legacy of Ken Depoe,”
Act 140 of 2022 (Section 4) designated the State Route 772 bridge over Donegal Creek on Anderson Ferry Road as the ‘Kenneth C Depoe, DFCA, Bridge.’
CONTACT: Stephanie Applegate