High Quality, Exceptional Value and Trout Streams in Pennsylvania

Key points

• Size cutoffFor earth disturbance other than agricultural plowing/tilling or animal heavy use areas, a written E&S Plan is required if one or more criteria apply: (i) total earth disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more; (ii) the person is required to develop an E&S Plan under Chapter 102 or other DEP regulations; or (iii) the activity, 'because of its proximity to existing drainage features or patterns,' has the potential to discharge to a water classified as HQ or EV under Chapter 93. Criterion (iii) carries no size threshold of its own.

  25 Pa. Code § 102.4(b)(2)(i)-(iii) [1]
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  shall develop and implement a written E&S Plan under this chapter if one or more of the following criteria apply: (i) The earth disturbance activity will result in a total earth disturbance of 5,000 square feet ... or more. (ii) The person proposing the earth disturbance activities is required to develop an E&S Plan under this chapter or under other Department regulations. (iii) The earth disturbance activity, because of its proximity to existing drainage features or patterns, has the potential to discharge to a water classified as a High Quality or Exceptional Value water under Chapter 93

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• RequirementPAG-01 eligibility turns on both uses: coverage is unavailable if stormwater runoff will discharge to surface waters, including wetlands, with a designated OR existing use of HQ or EV.

  Applies when: Projects under 5 acres seeking PAG-01 DEP, PAG-01 NOI Instructions, 3800-PM-BCW0404a (Rev. 3/2025), Eligibility criterion 3 and denial condition 9 (citing 25 Pa. Code § 92a.54(e)(9)) [2]
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  Stormwater runoff from the project site will not discharge to surface waters, including wetlands, with a designated or existing use classified as High Quality Waters (HQ) or Exceptional Value Waters (EV) under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93 (relating to water quality standards).

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• RequirementPAG-02 eligibility also turns on both uses: DEP will deny PAG-02 coverage for stormwater discharges directly to surface waters, including wetlands, with a designated OR existing use of HQ or EV.

  Applies when: Projects seeking PAG-02 NPDES construction coverage DEP, PAG-02 Fact Sheet, 3800-PM-BCW0405g (Rev. 8/2024), Eligibility criterion 9 (citing 25 Pa. Code § 92a.54(e)(9)) [3]
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  Stormwater discharges directly to surface waters, including wetlands, with a designated or existing use of High-Quality Waters (HQ) or Exceptional Value Waters (EV) pursuant to 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93 (relating to water quality standards). (25 Pa. Code § 92a.54(e)(9))

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (opens in a new tab)

• RequirementUnder § 105.15(a)(3), for a dam located in, along or projecting into an 'exceptional value water as defined in Chapter 93' for which a Chapter 105 permit is not otherwise required, a person may not construct, operate, maintain, modify, enlarge or abandon the dam until DEP approves an Environmental Assessment in writing. The applicant must submit: impoundment surface area; dam height; mean and maximum stream depth at the dam; a description of the release structure; the conservation release rate; bypass structure design; the dam's use; and construction material.

  Applies when: Embankment (dam) ponds on or along EV waters 25 Pa. Code § 105.15(a)(3) [5]
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  may not construct, operate, maintain, modify, enlarge or abandon ... until an Environmental Assessment has been approved in writing ... dams located in, along or projecting into an exceptional value water as defined in Chapter 93 ... for which a permit is not otherwise required ... (i) The surface area of the impoundment. (ii) The height of the dam. (iii) The mean depth and maximum depth of the stream at the location ... (iv) A description of the release structure. (v) The rate of a conservation release. (vi) The design of bypass structures. (vii) The use of the dam. (viii) The material

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• DefinitionWetlands are 'exceptional value' (EV) if, among other criteria, they lie in or along the floodplain of the reach of a wild trout stream or of waters listed as EV under Chapter 93, or in the floodplain of streams tributary to those waters. A pond site's wetlands can therefore be EV because of the Fish and Boat Commission's wild trout list, even where the stream's Chapter 93 use is not HQ or EV.

  Applies when: Pond sites with wetlands near wild trout or EV streams 25 Pa. Code § 105.17(1)(iii) [7]
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  (iii) Wetlands that are located in or along the floodplain of the reach of a wild trout stream or waters listed as exceptional value under Chapter 93 (relating to water quality standards) and the floodplain of streams tributary thereto

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• ProcessDEP's PAG-01 NOI instructions give the check order. First, check DEP's Statewide Existing Use Classifications website for an HQ or EV listing. If no existing use is listed, check the Chapter 93 drainage lists (§§ 93.9a-93.9z). If either the existing or the designated use is HQ or EV, PAG-01 is unavailable. For discharges to wetlands, the instructions point to resources including the Fish and Boat Commission's wild trout (natural reproduction) list; without wetland discharges, applicants rely solely on DEP's existing use website and Chapter 93.

  Applies when: Projects seeking PAG-01 (small construction) NPDES coverage DEP, PAG-01 NOI Instructions, 3800-PM-BCW0404a (Rev. 3/2025), Eligibility item 7 and Notes 21-22 [2]
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  to determine if those water(s) are listed as High Quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV). If an existing use is not listed for the surface waters, review Chapter 93 (§§ 93.9a-93.9z) to determine whether the surface waters are designated as HQ or EV. If either the existing or designated uses of the surface waters is HQ or EV, the applicant is ineligible to use PAG-01. ... the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s list of wild trout (natural reproduction) waters ... applicants should rely solely on DEP’s Existing Use website and 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93

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• ProcessDEP's July 2026 Individual NPDES construction stormwater permit instructions tell applicants to report each discharge point's 'Ch. 93 Class.' as follows. Use the existing use, or the Chapter 93 designated use if DEP's Statewide Existing Use Classifications website does not list the water. Identify discharges to EV wetlands under § 105.17 as 'EV'. Check the Fish and Boat Commission's Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) list. The instructions also direct applicants to DEP's eMapPA (NHD flowline) to name receiving waters.

  DEP, Individual NPDES Permit Application Instructions, 3800-PM-BCW0408a (Rev. 7/2026), Discharge point table [8]
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  In DEP’s eMapPA, zoom in to an appropriate scale ... Ch. 93 Class. – Report the existing use or, if DEP’s Statewide Existing Use Classifications website does not list the water, the designated use of the receiving waters under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93. Exceptional Value (EV) wetlands must also be considered, as defined at § 105.17. ... Applicants must check the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s website, Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) list, to determine if the surface water they plan to discharge to is on the list.

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• RequirementIn its July 2026 final rule, the EQB states that where a surface water's existing uses differ from its designated uses, the water receives the protection of whichever use is most protective. For example, a stream designated CWF that DEP finds also attains HQ is protected as HQ-CWF through DEP permit or approval actions.

  EQB final-form rulemaking, 56 Pa.B. 4034 (July 11, 2026), Preamble § D [9]
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  Where the existing uses are different than the designated uses for a surface water, the waterbody will receive the water quality protection identified by either the existing uses or the designated uses, whichever use is most protective. For example, if the designated use of a stream is listed as Cold Water Fishes (CWF) but the Department's evaluation of available existing use information indicates that the water also attains the use of High Quality Waters (HQ), the stream would be protected for this HQ-CWF existing use through Department permit or approval actions.

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• ProcessBy regulation, DEP provides existing use protection when its evaluation of information shows that a surface water attains or has attained an existing use. That information includes DEP's own data, data in a redesignation petition, or data considered in a permit or approval action. DEP will tell permit applicants the result during review, interested persons may submit more information, and DEP makes the final existing use determination as part of the final permit or approval action.

  25 Pa. Code § 93.4c(a)(1)(i)-(iv) [10]
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  Existing use protection shall be provided when the Department’s evaluation of information ... indicates that a surface water attains or has attained an existing use. ... The Department will inform persons who apply for a Department permit or approval which could impact a surface water, during the permit or approval application or review process, of the results ... Interested persons may provide the Department with additional information ... The Department will make a final determination of existing use protection for the surface water as part of the final permit or approval action.

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• StatusThe online Pennsylvania Code (pacodeandbulletin.gov) text of Chapter 93, including the drainage lists, reflects Code changes effective only through 56 Pa.B. 4026 (July 4, 2026). Later rulemakings appear first in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

  25 Pa. Code Chapter 93 (Pennsylvania Code website currency note) [10]
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  The Pennsylvania Code website reflects the Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 56 Pa.B. 4026 (July 4, 2026).

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• StatusOn July 11, 2026 (56 Pa.B. 4034) the Environmental Quality Board published a final-form rulemaking, effective on publication, that amends the drainage lists in §§ 93.9c, 93.9d, 93.9f, 93.9h, 93.9i, 93.9k, 93.9l, 93.9m, 93.9n, 93.9o, 93.9p, 93.9q, 93.9r, 93.9s, 93.9x and 93.9z. It relies on § 93.4b(a)(2)(ii) to redesignate as HQ streams that the Fish and Boat Commission classified as Class A wild trout streams. Its publication date is after the Code website's July 4, 2026 currency date.

  EQB final-form rulemaking, Water Quality Standards; Class A Stream Redesignations, 56 Pa.B. 4034 (July 11, 2026), Preamble §§ A, D [9]
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  [56 Pa.B. 4034] ... [Saturday, July 11, 2026] ... The amendments modify the drainage lists in §§ 93.9c, 93.9d, 93.9f, 93.9h, 93.9i, 93.9k, 93.9l, 93.9m, 93.9n, 93.9o, 93.9p, 93.9q, 93.9r, 93.9s, 93.9x and 93.9z to read as set forth in Annex A. ... These amendments will be effective upon final-form publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. ... The stream redesignations rely on § 93.4b(a)(2)(ii) (relating to qualifying as High Quality or Exceptional Value Waters) to qualify streams for HQ designations based upon their classifications by the PFBC as Class A wild trout streams.

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What HQ, EV and trout status change

For earth disturbance other than agricultural plowing or tilling or animal heavy use areas, the E&S Plan's drawings and narrative must describe the location of all surface waters that may receive runoff within or from the project site and their Chapter 93 classification. DEP's E&S Program Manual (2012) says more stringent criteria are to be used to design best management practices (BMPs) where runoff from a permitted site discharges to an HQ or EV stream. [1][14]

Pennsylvania's NPDES regulation (25 Pa. Code § 92a.54) allows general permits only for point sources that do not discharge to a water "classified as" HQ or EV under Chapter 93, and requires DEP to deny general-permit coverage for such discharges. The regulation does not say "designated or existing", but DEP's PAG-01 and PAG-02 documents apply it to both. DEP's Individual NPDES instructions (Rev. 7/2026) require Antidegradation Module 3 whenever stormwater will be discharged, during or after earth disturbance, to waters with a designated or existing HQ or EV use, including EV wetlands, or to waters impaired for listed causes in DEP's latest final Integrated Water Quality Report. [4][8]

A change in existing use can end PAG-02 eligibility. DEP's PAG-02 review SOP says that if the original authorization was for discharges to a water with a designated use of Cold Water Fishes (CWF) and DEP later determines the water has an existing use of HQ-CWF, the activity is no longer eligible for PAG-02 at renewal and the permittee must apply for an Individual NPDES Permit. [15]

Except as § 102.14(d) provides, when earth disturbance requires a Chapter 102 permit and the site is in an EV or HQ watershed attaining its designated use as listed by DEP at the time of application, no earth disturbance may occur within 150 feet of a perennial or intermittent river, stream, creek, lake, pond or reservoir, and any existing riparian buffer must be protected. Where a site needing that permit is instead in an HQ or EV watershed with waters failing to attain a designated use (Integrated Report Category 4 or 5), and the site contains, is along or is within 150 feet of such a water, the person must protect an existing riparian forest buffer, convert an existing riparian buffer to one, or establish a new one. [16]

For these buffers, DEP's Module 4 instructions (Rev. 3/2025) look to the designated use, not the existing use: they require the module with Individual NPDES or Individual E&S permit applications when the earth disturbance or project site boundary will extend to within 150 feet of a perennial or intermittent river, stream, creek, lake, pond or reservoir with a designated use of HQ or EV, and tell applicants to answer "No" where the nearby water has only an existing use of HQ or EV. [17]

DEP's Chapter 105 Environmental Assessment form instructions (Rev. 3/2022) ask for the watercourse's Chapter 93 uses, "whether Existing or Designated", including HQ or EV, and, when applicable, for an analysis of whether any wetlands present are EV under § 105.17. General Permit GP-4 for intake and outfall structures (Rev. 6/2013 text) is not available in streams or water bodies specified as HQ or EV in Chapter 93, and is not available in stocked trout streams from March 1 through June 15, in wild trout streams from October 1 through December 31, or in Lake Erie tributaries from September 1 through December 1, unless PFBC's Division of Environmental Services approves. [13][18]

The Chapter 105 waiver for ford crossings built for individual private personal use does not apply in exceptional value streams listed under Chapter 93 or in wild trout streams. [6]

• ProcessDEP's August 2026 E&S FAQ restates the third written-plan trigger as applying 'when DEP determines' that an earth disturbance activity has the potential to discharge to an HQ or EV water under Chapter 93.

  DEP, Erosion and Sediment Control FAQ, Version 1.8 (rev. Aug. 12, 2026), FAQ #5 [11]
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  a written E&S Plan meeting the requirements of Chapter 102 must be developed and implemented, and must be available on-site anytime 1) the total area of an earth disturbance will be at least 5,000 square feet, 2) an E&S Plan is required under DEP regulations, or 3) when DEP determines that an earth disturbance activity has the potential to discharge to a water classified as a High Quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV) water under Chapter 93.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Clean Water (opens in a new tab)

• RequirementFor earth disturbance activities other than agricultural plowing or tilling or animal heavy use areas, the written E&S Plan must contain drawings and narrative describing the location of all surface waters that may receive runoff within or from the project site and their classification under Chapter 93.

  25 Pa. Code § 102.4(b)(5)(v) [1]
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  For earth disturbance activities other than agricultural plowing or tilling or animal heavy use areas, the following erosion and sediment control requirements apply: ... (5) The E&S Plan must contain drawings and narrative which describe the following: ... (v) The location of all surface waters of this Commonwealth which may receive runoff within or from the project site and their classification under Chapter 93.

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• AgencyDEP's E&S Program Manual tells plan preparers that designated uses are in §§ 93.9a-93.9z and that existing uses are usually the same except where DEP has information that a water attains a more stringent use. Existing uses may be obtained from DEP's Statewide Existing Use Classifications web page. If runoff from a permitted site discharges to an HQ or EV stream, more stringent BMP design criteria apply.

  DEP, Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual, 386-2134-001 (Mar. 31, 2012), Chapter 1, item 5, pp. 3-4 [14]
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  Designated uses for surface waters are found in 25 Pa. Code §§ 93.9a—93.9z. Existing uses of surface waters are usually the same as the designated use, except where information has been provided to or obtained by the Department, which indicates that a particular water body actually attains a more stringent water use than the designated use. ... Existing uses may be obtained from DEP’s website at: ... classified for special protection (High Quality [HQ] or Exceptional Value [EV]), more stringent criteria are to be used to design the BMPs for that site.

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• RequirementThe underlying NPDES regulation allows DEP to issue a general permit only for point sources that 'do not discharge to a surface water classified as a High Quality Water or an Exceptional Value Water under Chapter 93' (§ 92a.54(a)(8)), and requires DEP to deny general-permit coverage when 'the discharge would be to' such a water (§ 92a.54(e)(9)). The regulation itself says 'classified ... under Chapter 93' and does not say 'designated or existing'; DEP's PAG-01 and PAG-02 documents apply it to both.

  25 Pa. Code § 92a.54(a)(8), (e)(9) [4]
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  (8) Do not discharge to a surface water classified as a High Quality Water or an Exceptional Value Water under Chapter 93. ... (e) Denial of coverage. The Department will deny coverage under a general permit when one or more of the following conditions exist: ... (9) The discharge would be to a surface water classified as a High Quality Water or an Exceptional Value Water under Chapter 93.

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• RequirementDEP's Individual NPDES construction stormwater permit application instructions (Rev. 7/2026) require Antidegradation Analysis Module 3 whenever stormwater will be discharged, during or following earth disturbance, to surface waters with either a designated or an existing Chapter 93 use of HQ or EV, including EV wetlands. Module 3 is also required for discharges to waters impaired for listed causes in DEP's latest final Integrated Water Quality Report. For this requirement, existing use counts.

  Applies when: Applications for an Individual NPDES Permit for stormwater discharges associated with construction activities DEP, Individual NPDES Permit Application Instructions, 3800-PM-BCW0408a (Rev. 7/2026), item 11 [8]
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  Module 3 must be attached when stormwater will be discharged (during or following earth disturbance activities) to surface waters that either: 1) have a designated or existing use under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93 of High Quality Waters (HQ) or Exceptional Value Waters (EV), including EV wetlands; or 2) are impaired according to DEP’s latest published (final) Integrated Water Quality Report

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (opens in a new tab)

• ProcessA change in existing use can end general-permit eligibility. DEP's SOP says that if a PAG-02 authorization was for a Cold Water Fishes (CWF) water and DEP later determines that the water has an existing use of HQ-CWF, the activity is no longer eligible for PAG-02 at renewal and the permittee must apply for an Individual NPDES Permit.

  Applies when: PAG-02 renewal NOIs DEP SOP BCW-102-002, Review of PAG-02 NOIs, Version 1.6 (rev. June 11, 2025), Note 11 [15]
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  if the original authorization under PAG-02 was for discharges to a receiving surface water with a designated use of Cold Water Fishes (CWF), but DEP subsequently determined that the receiving surface water has an existing use of HQ-CWF, the activity would no longer be eligible for coverage under the PAG-02, and the permittee would have to submit an application for an Individual NPDES Permit.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Clean Water (opens in a new tab)

• Size cutoffExcept as provided in § 102.14(d), the mandatory riparian buffer applies only when the earth disturbance requires a Chapter 102 permit. When the project site is in an EV or HQ watershed 'attaining its designated use as listed by the Department at the time of application', earth disturbance may not occur within 150 feet of a perennial or intermittent river, stream, creek, lake, pond or reservoir, and any existing riparian buffer must be protected. Where the HQ/EV watershed has waters failing to attain a designated use (Category 4 or 5 of the Integrated Report) and the project site contains, is along or within 150 feet of such a water body, the person must protect an existing riparian forest buffer, convert an existing riparian buffer to one, or establish a new one.

  Applies when: Earth disturbance requiring a Chapter 102 permit, in an HQ or EV watershed 25 Pa. Code § 102.14(a)(1)-(2) [16]
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  Except as in accordance with subsection (d) ... when the activity requires a permit under this chapter may not conduct ... within 150 feet of a perennial or intermittent river, stream, or creek, or lake, pond or reservoir when the project site is located in an exceptional value or high quality watershed attaining its designated use as listed by the Department at the time of application and shall protect any existing riparian buffer ... failing to attain one or more designated uses ... Category 4 or 5 ... contains, is along or within 150 feet of ... Protect ... Convert ... Establish

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• RequirementFor § 102.14 buffers, DEP applies the designated use, not the existing use. Module 4 must be attached to Individual NPDES or Individual E&S permit applications when the earth disturbance or project site boundary will extend to within 150 feet of a perennial or intermittent river, stream, creek, lake, pond or reservoir with a designated use of HQ or EV. The instructions tell applicants to answer 'No' where the nearby water has only an existing use of HQ or EV.

  Applies when: Individual NPDES or E&S permit applications DEP, Riparian Buffer Module 4 Instructions, 3800-PM-BCW0406d (Rev. 3/2025), introductory paragraph and 'Riparian Buffer or Riparian Forest Buffer Information' item 1 [17]
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  when the earth disturbance or project site boundary will extend to within 150 feet of a perennial or intermittent river, stream, creek, lake, pond or reservoir with a designated use of HQ or EV under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93. ... Check the box for No if there is an earth disturbance activity within 150 feet of a perennial or intermittent river, stream, creek, lake, pond, or reservoir with an existing use of HQ or EV.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Clean Water (opens in a new tab)

• ProcessDEP's Chapter 105 Environmental Assessment (EA) form instructions ask the applicant to list the watercourse's Chapter 93 uses, 'whether Existing or Designated', including Special Protection uses (HQ or EV). They also ask for the Chapter 105 wetland classification, with an analysis of whether wetlands are EV under § 105.17, and point to web pages with additional information on HQ and EV waters and on Chapter 93.

  Applies when: Chapter 105 permit applications; also EA-only approvals, e.g., non-jurisdictional dams located in wetlands or an EV water (§ 105.15(a)(2)-(3)). Not needed when registering a General Permit. DEP, Environmental Assessment Form Instructions, 3150-PM-BWEW0017 (Rev. 3/2022), items 4-5 [13]
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  List the Title 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93 Existing or Designated use(s) of the watercourse(s) ... or the Title 25 Pa. Code Chapter 105 wetland classification (e.g., O - Other or EV - Exceptional Value). Provide the analysis of whether any wetlands present are EV (related to §105.17), when applicable. List the Special Protection water uses (e.g., High Quality - HQ or EV) of the watercourse(s) as provided for in Title 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93 whether Existing or Designated use(s). Additional information on HQ and EV waters and 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93 respectively can be found on the internet

  Open Pennsylvania DEP, Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands (opens in a new tab)

• TimelineDEP General Permit GP-4 (intake and outfall structures) may not be used in stocked trout streams from March 1 through June 15, in wild trout streams from October 1 through December 31, or in Lake Erie tributaries from September 1 through December 1, unless the Fish and Boat Commission's Division of Environmental Services approves. GP-4 is also unavailable in streams or water bodies specified as HQ or EV in Chapter 93.

  Applies when: Pond intake/outfall structures registered under GP-4 DEP General Permit BWEW-GP-4, 3150-PM-BWEW0504 (Rev. 6/2013), ¶ 6.f-g [18]
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  SPECIFIC AREAS WHERE GENERAL PERMIT DOES NOT APPLY - This General Permit is not authorized in the following areas: ... f. Those streams or water bodies specified as high-quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV) in 25 PA Code Chapter 93. ... g. Stocked trout streams from March 1 through June 15, wild trout streams from October 1 through December 31 and Lake Erie tributaries from September 1 through December 1 unless approval is obtained from the Fish and Boat Commission's Division of Environmental Services.

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Where to look up a site's status

DEP's PAG-02 review SOP follows the same order as the PAG-01 instructions: the reviewer checks DEP's Existing Use list for an HQ or EV existing use, then the § 93.9 drainage list, and may also use DEP's eMapPA map. DEP's PAG-02 FAQ (Version 1.7, Sept. 2023) adds that a water not identified on the existing use website has no existing use different from its designated use, and that where storm sewers carry the discharge, the applicant must determine the uses of the sewers' ultimate receiving waters. [2][15][19]

DEP's existing use list holds only segments where evaluated data show an existing use more protective than the designated use; the Bureau of Clean Water maintains it, and DEP and county conservation district staff use it in permit reviews. Its state summary table (PDF) gives county, stream code, water body, designated use, existing use, qualifier, location, date of evaluation and EQB proposed rule. The table is headed "Existing Use (Last Revised on 7/21/2025)"; for example, Cacoosing Creek (Berks County) shows designated CWF, MF and existing HQ-CWF, MF with the qualifier "Class A Wild Trout Stream". [20][21]

The Chapter 93 drainage lists are organized by river basin, and the county shown for each entry is the county where the stream's mouth (or the downstream limit of the listed zone) is located, not necessarily the county of the pond site. [10]

The EQB's July 2026 rule preamble says "permitted activities to any surface water are required to be protective of all downstream protected water uses," and that when DEP delineates protected uses during an evaluation it generally includes smaller tributaries with a direct and immediate connection to a larger downstream water in that water's delineation. [9]

DEP's PAG-02 FAQ also points to eMapPA's "Existing Use Streams" and "Designated Use Streams" layers, but DEP's GIS metadata says its Chapter 93 Existing Use Streams layer is "not part of the official version" of the water quality standards and its Chapter 93 Designated Use Streams layer should not be substituted for the official standards in the Pennsylvania Code. The designated-use layer's metadata also warns users not to infer a water's use from its map color and to verify it in the USE_DESCRIPTION attribute. [19][22][23]

For Chapter 105 applications, DEP's permitting page lists tools including eMap PA, PA Open Data, DEP Existing Use, PFBC's Wild and Stocked Trout Waters, and the PA Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI). For wetland discharges, DEP's PAG-02 reviewers check PFBC's Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) list to see whether the wetlands lie within the floodplain of listed waters or their tributaries. [15][24]

• ProcessDEP's SOP for reviewing PAG-02 NOIs describes the check. The reviewer first checks DEP's Existing Use list for an HQ or EV existing use, then the § 93.9 drainage list, and may also use eMapPA. For wetland discharges, the reviewer checks the Fish and Boat Commission's Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) list to see whether the wetlands lie within the floodplain of listed waters or their tributaries.

  DEP SOP BCW-102-002, Review of PAG-02 NOIs, Version 1.6 (rev. June 11, 2025), Section III.A.2.a [15]
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  (i) The Application Manager will review DEP’s Existing Use list to determine if stormwater discharges from the project site will enter surface waters classified for an existing use of High Quality Waters (HQ) or Exceptional Value Waters (EV). ... (ii) If the surface waters are not on the Existing Use list, the Application Manager will review the appropriate drainage list in 25 Pa. Code § 93.9 ... DEP’s eMapPA may also be used. ... Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) list. If the wetlands are within the floodplain of waters identified on this list or tributaries thereto

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Clean Water (opens in a new tab)

• ProcessIn answering how to tell whether a project needs nondischarge alternatives or ABACT BMPs, DEP's PAG-02/Individual Permit FAQ recommends three ways to determine a receiving water's existing and designated uses: DEP's eMapPA map ('Existing Use Streams' layer, then the 'Designated Use Streams' layer under Streams and Water Resources > Water Quality); DEP's Statewide Existing Use Classifications website, where a water not identified there has no existing use different from its designated use; and § 93.9 of Chapter 93 for designated uses. Where discharges are conveyed by storm sewers, the applicant must determine the uses of the ultimate receiving waters for those sewers.

  DEP, PAG-02 General Permit and Individual NPDES Permit FAQ, Version 1.7 (rev. Sept. 1, 2023), FAQ #7 [19]
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  How do I determine whether my project will need to use non-discharge alternatives or ABACT BMPs? ... you must determine the uses of the ultimate receiving waters for those sewers. ... You can use DEP’s eMapPA application to determine existing and designated uses. ... “Existing Use Streams” layer ... “Designated Use Streams” ... You can visit DEP’s Statewide Existing Use Classifications website ... If your receiving waters aren’t identified there, there is no existing use different from designated use. ... You can review Section 93.9 of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93 for designated uses.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Clean Water (opens in a new tab)

• AgencyDEP maintains a publicly accessible 'existing use list' of surface water segments where evaluated data indicate an existing use more protective than the designated use in §§ 93.9a-93.9z (including segments that are HQ or EV); only an existing use more stringent than the designated use is placed on the list. The Bureau of Clean Water maintains it, and DEP and county conservation district staff use it when reviewing permit and approval requests. A state summary table (PDF) gives county, stream code, water body, designated use, existing use, qualifier, location, date of evaluation and EQB proposed rule.

  DEP, Statewide Existing Use Classifications web page [20]
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  The Department maintains a publicly accessible list of surface water segments ... more protective than the designated use (including those segments which are HQ or EV). The list is maintained and updated by the Bureau of Clean Water and will be used by DEP and county conservation district staff ... in reviewing requests for permits and approvals. Only an existing use that is more stringent than the designated use ... is placed on the existing use list. ... lists county, stream code, water body, designated use, existing use, qualifier, location, date of evaluation and EQB proposed rule.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (opens in a new tab)

• StatusCurrency: the DEP existing use summary table (PDF) linked from that page is headed 'Existing Use (Last Revised on 7/21/2025)'. Entries include Class A-based upgrades, for example Cacoosing Creek (Berks County, stream code 1850): designated CWF, MF; existing use HQ-CWF, MF; qualifier 'Class A Wild Trout Stream'; evaluated 07/17/25; 11.23 affected stream miles.

  DEP Existing Use summary table (EU table list.pdf) [21]
  Show the source text

  EXISTING USE (LAST REVISED ON 7/21/2025) ... BERKS 1850 CACOOSING CREEK CWF, MF HQ-CWF, MF CLASS A WILD TROUT STREAM ... 07/17/25 11.23

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Clean Water (opens in a new tab)

• DefinitionThe stream-by-stream designated uses are displayed in the drainage-list tables in 25 Pa. Code §§ 93.9a-93.9z (in addition to the statewide uses in Tables 2 and 3), organized by river basin (Delaware, Susquehanna, Ohio, Lake Erie, Genesee and Potomac). The county shown for each entry is the county where the stream's mouth (or the downstream limit of the listed zone) is located, not necessarily the county of the pond site.

  25 Pa. Code § 93.9(a), (d) [10]
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  The tables in § § 93.9a—93.9z display designated water uses and water quality criteria in addition to the water uses and criteria specified in Tables 2 and 3. ... The county column in § § 93.9a—93.9z indicates the county in which the mouth of the stream or the downstream limit of the zone described for that entry is located. ... Delaware River Basin ... Susquehanna River Basin ... Ohio River Basin ... Lake Erie ... Genesee River Basin ... Potomac River Basin

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• RequirementThe same preamble states that permitted activities to any surface water must protect all downstream protected water uses. In describing how it delineates protected uses during an evaluation, DEP says many smaller tributaries have a direct and immediate connection to larger downstream waters, and in those situations DEP generally will include the smaller tributaries in the protected-use delineation for the larger downstream water.

  EQB final-form rulemaking, 56 Pa.B. 4034 (July 11, 2026), Preamble § E [9]
  Show the source text

  Permitted activities to any surface water are required to be protective of all downstream protected water uses. Many of the smaller tributaries within a basin have a direct and immediate connection to larger downstream surface waters and permitted activities can be completely influenced by the downstream protected use due to a combination of proximity, flow and assimilative capacity. In these situations, the Department generally will include smaller tributaries in the protected use delineation for the larger downstream surface water.

  Open Pennsylvania Bulletin (opens in a new tab)

• StatusDEP's GIS layer 'Water Quality - Chapter 93 Existing Use Streams' (an eMapPA map service layer) is expressly 'not part of the official version' of Pennsylvania's water quality standards. It is offered to provide a spatial representation of existing uses, and DEP points to the existing use list on its website.

  PA DEP GIS Open Data portal, item "Water Quality - Chapter 93 Existing Use Streams" (metadata) [22]
  Show the source text

  This GIS stream layer (which is not part of the official version of Pennsylvania’s Water Quality Standards) is offered to provide a spatial representation of the Aquatic Life Use Tiers contained in the 25 PA Code Chapter 93 for existing uses of surface waters. ... The Department maintains a publicly available list of surface waters that have undergone recent existing use evaluations at its website.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP GIS Open Data portal) (opens in a new tab)

• StatusLikewise, DEP's 'Chapter 93 Designated Use Streams' GIS layer states that it should not be substituted for the official version of the standards in the Pennsylvania Code. It warns users not to infer a water's use from its map color and to verify the use in the USE_DESCRIPTION attribute.

  PA DEP GIS Open Data portal, item "Water Quality - Chapter 93 Designated Use Streams" (metadata) [23]
  Show the source text

  These data should not be substituted for the official version of the standards in the Pennsylvania code. ... Do not infer water use from stream color; rather, verify water use under the USE_DESCRIPTION field in the attribute table on an identify.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP GIS Open Data portal) (opens in a new tab)

• AgencyFor Chapter 105 (water obstruction, encroachment and dam) applications, DEP's permitting page includes, among the tools and information it lists to assist with applications, eMap PA, PA Open Data, DEP Existing Use, the Fish and Boat Commission's Wild and Stocked Trout Waters, and the PA Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI).

  DEP, Stream and Wetland Regulatory Program, Permitting and Authorizations web page ("Tools and Information Which Can Assist with Applications") [24]
  Show the source text

  Tools and Information Which Can Assist with Applications ... Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) ... eMap PA ... PA Open Data ... DEP Existing Use ... PA Fish and Boat Commission Wild and Stocked Trout Waters

  Open PA DEP, Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands (opens in a new tab)

Designated uses, existing uses, HQ and EV

Chapter 93 designated uses are those specified in § 93.4(a) and in the drainage lists for each water body or segment, whether or not they are being attained. Every surface water carries the statewide Table 2 uses, such as Warm Water Fishes, unless law or regulation specifies otherwise; the drainage lists add stream-specific uses such as CWF, TSF, MF, HQ or EV. [10]

Cold Water Fishes (CWF) covers maintenance or propagation of fish species including the family Salmonidae; Trout Stocking (TSF) covers maintenance of stocked trout from February 15 to July 31 plus warm water species. HQ (High Quality Waters) and EV (Exceptional Value Waters) are the "Special Protection" uses. [10]

An existing use is a use actually attained in the water body on or after November 28, 1975, whether or not it is included in the water quality standards. DEP says existing use protection is identical to designated use protection and is applied to a segment when DEP issues a permit or approval for an activity that may affect the use. DEP's 2003 antidegradation guidance says an applicant for a permit or approval that may affect a surface water must show the activity will protect and maintain the more protective of the designated or existing use. [10][20][25]

A surface water is HQ if it meets one or more qualifiers. These include a chemistry test (at least 1 year of data better than the § 93.7 Table 3 criteria at least 99% of the time for the listed parameters), biological criteria (one such test compares the water to a reference stream or watershed and requires an integrated benthic macroinvertebrate score of at least 83%), or designation by PFBC as a Class A wild trout stream after public notice and comment. [10]

A water is EV if it meets an HQ qualifier plus one or more further listed conditions, such as PFBC designation as a "wilderness trout stream" after public notice and comment or a biological score of at least 92% (or its equivalent), or if it is a surface water of exceptional ecological significance, a term Chapter 93 defines to include EV wetlands under § 105.17(1). Chapter 93 defines EV waters by that qualification and does not refer to the drainage-list designation. [10]

DEP summarizes the difference: HQ water quality can be lowered only if a discharge results from necessary social or economic development, the water quality criteria are met and all existing uses are protected, while EV waters are to be protected at their existing quality and their water quality shall not be lowered. [26]

Under DEP's 2003 antidegradation guidance, if DEP finds that PFBC designated the water a Class A wild trout stream, that the designation went through public notice and comment, and that DEP's Bureau of Clean Water reviewed the fishery data and its Director concurs, DEP places the water on the existing use list with an existing use of HQ and processes permit requests to protect an HQ existing use unless a more stringent existing or designated use is identified. By regulation, DEP tells applicants for a permit or approval that could affect a surface water the results of its existing-use evaluation during review, interested persons may submit more information, and DEP makes the final determination as part of the final permit or approval action. [10][25]

• DefinitionChapter 93 defines 'designated uses' as the uses specified in § 93.4(a) (statewide uses) and in the drainage lists at §§ 93.9a-93.9z for each water body or segment, whether or not those uses are being attained.

  25 Pa. Code § 93.1 (definition of "Designated uses") [10]
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  Designated uses—Those uses specified in § § 93.4(a) and 93.9a—93.9z for each water body or segment whether or not they are being attained.

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• DefinitionEvery surface water carries the statewide uses in Table 2 (including Warm Water Fishes, potable, industrial, livestock and wildlife water supply, irrigation, boating, fishing, water contact sports and esthetics) unless law or regulation specifies otherwise; the drainage lists add stream-specific uses such as CWF, TSF, MF, HQ or EV.

  25 Pa. Code § 93.4(a) and Table 2 [10]
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  Statewide water uses. Except when otherwise specified in law or regulation, the uses set forth in Table 2 apply to all surface waters. ... | WWF | Warm Water Fishes ... | PWS | Potable Water Supply ... | IWS | Industrial Water Supply ... | LWS | Livestock Water Supply ... | AWS | Wildlife Water Supply ... | IRS | Irrigation ... | B | Boating ... | F | Fishing ... | WC | Water Contact Sports ... | E | Esthetics

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• DefinitionChapter 93's protected aquatic life uses include CWF (Cold Water Fishes: maintenance or propagation of fish species including the family Salmonidae) and TSF (Trout Stocking: maintenance of stocked trout from February 15 to July 31 plus warm water species); HQ (High Quality Waters) and EV (Exceptional Value Waters) are the 'Special Protection' uses.

  25 Pa. Code § 93.3, Table 1 [10]
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  | CWF | Cold Water Fishes—Maintenance or propagation, or both, of fish species including the family Salmonidae and additional flora and fauna which are indigenous to a cold water habitat. ... | TSF | Trout Stocking—Maintenance of stocked trout from February 15 to July 31 and maintenance and propagation of fish species and additional flora and fauna which are indigenous to a warm water habitat. ... | Special Protection ... | HQ | High Quality Waters ... | EV | Exceptional Value Waters

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• DefinitionChapter 93 defines 'existing uses' as uses actually attained in the water body on or after November 28, 1975, whether or not they are included in the water quality standards.

  25 Pa. Code § 93.1 (definition of "Existing uses") [10]
  Show the source text

  Existing uses—Those uses actually attained in the water body on or after November 28, 1975, whether or not they are included in the water quality standards.

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• AgencyDEP explains that an existing use is different from a designated use: designated uses are regulations the EQB promulgates through rulemaking. All water uses listed in § 93.3, including HQ and EV, are protected as existing uses, and existing use protection is identical to designated use protection. That protection is applied to a waterbody segment when DEP issues a permit or approval for an activity that may affect the use.

  DEP, Statewide Existing Use Classifications web page [20]
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  An "existing use" is different than a "designated use." ... Designated uses are regulations promulgated by the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) through the rulemaking process. ... All of the water uses listed in 93.3 are protected as existing uses. These water uses include High Quality Waters (HQ) and Exceptional Value Waters (EV). Existing use protection is identical to designated use protection. The uses are protected on a waterbody segment when the department issues a permit or approval for an activity which may impact the use.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (opens in a new tab)

• RequirementDEP's antidegradation guidance says an applicant for a permit or approval that may affect a surface water must show its activity will protect and maintain the more protective of the designated use or the existing use. DEP reviewers must check DEP's existing use list, and DEP uses a more protective existing use if one applies.

  DEP, Water Quality Antidegradation Implementation Guidance, 391-0300-002 (Nov. 29, 2003), pp. 8-9 [25]
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  A person seeking a permit or approval from DEP to conduct an activity that may impact a surface water must demonstrate to DEP that its activity will protect and maintain the more protective of the designated use or the existing use for the receiving water. ... The staff person reviewing the request for permit or approval must review the list when processing an application or request. If a more protective existing use for a waterbody segment applies, DEP will use it in making the permit or approval decision.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Clean Water (opens in a new tab)

• DefinitionA surface water qualifies as High Quality (HQ) if it meets one or more qualifiers. One is that the Fish and Boat Commission has designated it a Class A wild trout stream following public notice and comment (§ 93.4b(a)(2)(ii)). Others include chemistry, meaning at least 1 year of data better than the § 93.7 Table 3 criteria at least 99% of the time for the listed parameters (§ 93.4b(a)(1)(i)), and biology; one biological test compares the water to a reference stream or watershed and requires an integrated benthic macroinvertebrate score of at least 83% (§ 93.4b(a)(2)(i)(A)).

  25 Pa. Code § 93.4b(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(A), (a)(2)(ii) [10]
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  A surface water that meets one or more of the following conditions is a High Quality Water. ... at least 1 year of data ... better than the water quality criteria in § 93.7, Table 3 ... at least 99% of the time ... The surface water is compared to a reference stream or watershed, and an integrated benthic macroinvertebrate score of at least 83% shall be attained by the referenced stream or watershed. ... Class A wild trout stream qualifier. The surface water has been designated a Class A wild trout stream by the Fish and Boat Commission following public notice and comment.

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• DefinitionA water qualifies as Exceptional Value (EV) if it meets an HQ qualifier and also one of the listed conditions, which include being designated a 'wilderness trout stream' by the Fish and Boat Commission after public notice and comment, or scoring at least 92% on the biological assessment. A water also qualifies if it is a surface water of exceptional ecological significance, which Chapter 93 defines to include EV wetlands under § 105.17(1).

  25 Pa. Code § 93.4b(b)(1)(v)-(vi), (b)(2); § 93.1 (definition of "Surface water of exceptional ecological significance") [10]
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  Surface water of exceptional ecological significance— ... (ii) Wetlands which are exceptional value wetlands under § 105.17(1) ... A surface water that meets one or more of the following conditions is an Exceptional Value Water: (1) The water meets the requirements of subsection (a) and one or more of the following: ... (v) The water achieves a score of at least 92% (or its equivalent) ... (vi) The water is designated as a ‘‘wilderness trout stream’’ by the Fish and Boat Commission following public notice and comment. (2) The water is a surface water of exceptional ecological significance.

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• DefinitionDEP summarizes what the special protection designations mean. HQ water quality can be lowered only if a discharge results from necessary social or economic development, the water quality criteria are met, and all existing uses are protected. EV water quality may not be lowered.

  DEP, Stream Redesignations web page [26]
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  In addition, streams with excellent water quality may be designated High Quality Waters (HQ) or Exceptional Value Waters (EV). The water quality in an HQ stream can be lowered only if a discharge is the result of necessary social or economic development, the water quality criteria are met, and all existing uses of the stream are protected. EV waters are to be protected at their existing quality; water quality shall not be lowered.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (opens in a new tab)

• ProcessClass A wild trout streams and existing use: if DEP finds that (1) the Fish and Boat Commission designated the water a Class A wild trout stream, (2) that designation went through public notice and comment, and (3) the Bureau of Clean Water reviewed the fishery data and its Director concurs, DEP places the water on the existing use list with an existing use of HQ. Permit requests on such a stream are processed to protect an HQ existing use unless a more stringent existing or designated use is identified; the final existing use determination occurs at DEP's permit or approval action.

  Applies when: Stream is on PFBC Class A list DEP, Water Quality Antidegradation Implementation Guidance, 391-0300-002 (Nov. 29, 2003), p. 10 ("Existing use protection for Class A wild trout streams") [25]
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  DEP finds that: (1) the waterbody has been designated by the PFBC as a Class A wild trout stream; (2) the PFBC designation has been adequately publicly participated, with provisions for public notice and comment; and (3) BCW has reviewed the fishery data and the Director concurs ... DEP will place the water on the existing use list with an existing use of HQ waters. ... will be processed to protect an HQ existing use, unless a more stringent existing or designated use is identified ... The final existing use determination occurs at the time of DEP action on the permit or approval

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Clean Water (opens in a new tab)

Fish and Boat Commission trout lists

Chapter 105 defines wild trout streams as streams PFBC identifies as supporting naturally reproducing trout under 58 Pa. Code § 57.11, and refers readers to PFBC for the list. PFBC's Fisheries Management Division maintains the list, which is published from time to time in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and on the web. [12][27]

PFBC's statement of policy says identifying a wild trout stream typically involves location and habitat, exclusion of stocked trout, and biological criteria. Under the biological criteria, the investigator should find one or more of the following at some time in the stream section: young-of-the-year trout under 150 mm, or two or more ages of wild trout. Tributaries to wild trout streams are classified as wild trout streams. [12]

PFBC's Trout Water Classifications page links PDF lists of Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction), Class A Wild Trout Streams, Wilderness Trout Streams and streams being considered for wild trout designation, plus an interactive Trout Streams map; PFBC says a wild trout listing is a biological designation and that such streams may also be stocked. [28]

The wild trout PDF is dated August 2026 and lists sections by county of mouth; the Class A PDF was created August 11, 2026; the wilderness PDF was created July 17, 2023; and the list of streams being considered for wild trout designation is dated August 2026. [29][30][31][32]

PFBC's Class A list defines Class A waters as streams that support naturally produced trout of sufficient size and abundance for a long-term and rewarding sport fishery, managed for natural reproduction with no stocking. Under 58 Pa. Code § 57.8a, Class A status rests on species-specific trout biomass: for wild brook trout fisheries, total brook trout biomass of at least 30 kg/ha (26.7 lbs/acre), with brook trout at least 75% of total trout biomass; for wild brown trout fisheries, total brown trout biomass of at least 40 kg/ha (35.6 lbs/acre), with brown trout at least 75%; both also require a biomass of at least 0.1 kg/ha (0.089 lbs/acre) of that species' trout under 15 cm (5.9 in) in total length. Separate mixed-species and rainbow criteria also appear in § 57.8a(2). [12][30]

PFBC says that after it designates a Class A wild trout stream, the stream enters a process in which DEP will ultimately designate it an HQ cold water fishery (HQ-CWF) under Chapter 93, and that about 4% of the Commonwealth's flowing waters were Class A as of Nov. 2, 2024. PFBC also says all stream sections in its wilderness trout program qualify for EV, the highest protection status DEP provides. DEP explains that designated uses themselves are regulations the EQB adopts through rulemaking. [20][28][33]

58 Pa. Code § 63.3 defines "stocked trout waters," as used in that subpart of PFBC's fishing regulations, as waters PFBC stocks with adult trout; the listing is published in PFBC's Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws, and the Executive Director or a designee may supplement or modify it, with additions or deletions published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. In the 2026 Fishing Summary a listing covers the entire stream from headwaters to mouth unless geographically designated in the Summary's Region Regulated Trout Waters section, and PFBC warns streams may be added or deleted after printing and says to check with the nearest PFBC office if there is any question. PFBC's Stocked Trout Waters Map and Trout Stocking Schedule also show these waters. [34][35][36]

GP-4 defines stocked trout streams as streams PFBC classifies as approved trout waters and wild trout streams as streams PFBC classifies as supporting reproducing trout, and says either classification may be verified with a PFBC Regional Office or the Division of Environmental Services. [18]

PFBC staff will evaluate or re-evaluate a stream's wild trout classification at DEP's request in connection with permitting; requests from others are considered as staff and resources allow, prioritized by the status of related DEP permitting decisions. A person aggrieved by a wild trout classification may appeal by filing a notice of appeal with PFBC's Executive Director within 15 days after the Pennsylvania Bulletin notice of the classification. [12]

• DefinitionChapter 105 defines 'wild trout streams' by reference to the Fish and Boat Commission's list under 58 Pa. Code § 57.11 and refers readers to the Commission for the list.

  25 Pa. Code § 105.1 (definition of "Wild trout streams") [27]
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  Wild trout streams—A stream identified as supporting naturally reproducing trout populations by the Fish and Boat Commission under 58 Pa. Code § 57.11 (relating to listing of wild trout streams). For a list of wild trout streams, contact the Fish and Boat Commission, www.fish.state.pa.us.

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (opens in a new tab)

• AgencyThe Fish and Boat Commission's Fisheries Management Division maintains the list of wild trout streams (streams supporting naturally reproducing trout). The Executive Director, with Commission approval, publishes it from time to time in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and on the web, and anyone may submit comments, objections or suggestions about listed streams.

  58 Pa. Code § 57.11(a) [12]
  Show the source text

  The Fisheries Management Division will maintain the list of wild trout streams. The Executive Director, with the approval of the Commission, will from time-to-time publish the list of wild trout streams in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and on the World Wide Web. Persons with comments, objections or suggestions about the classification of streams listed may submit them to the Commission for review.

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• DefinitionUnder PFBC's statement of policy, identifying a wild trout stream typically involves examining location and habitat, excluding stocked or hatchery trout, and biological criteria: the investigator should find one or more of (i) young-of-the-year trout less than 150 mm at some time in the stream section, or (ii) two or more ages of wild trout at some time in the section. Tributaries to wild trout streams are classified as wild trout streams.

  58 Pa. Code § 57.11(b) [12]
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  Identification of streams for the presence of wild trout typically involves: (1) Location and habitat. ... (2) Exclusion of stocked trout. ... (3) Biological criteria. In identifying a wild trout stream, the investigator should find one or more of the following: (i) Young of the year trout less than 150 mm occur at some time in the stream section. (ii) Two or more ages of wild trout occur at some time within the stream section. (4) Tributary linkages. Tributaries to wild trout streams are classified as wild trout streams

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• AgencyThe Fish and Boat Commission's 'Trout Water Classifications' page links PDF listings of Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction), Class A Wild Trout Streams, Wilderness Trout Streams, and Wild Trout Designation Streams - Being Considered. It also links an interactive Trout Streams map covering Keystone Select, Special Regulation, Class A, Stocked and Natural Reproduction waters. PFBC describes a wild trout listing as a biological designation and notes that such streams may also be stocked.

  PFBC, Trout Water Classifications web page [28]
  Show the source text

  Trout Streams (interactive map) Mapping and additional information for the following categories of trout streams: Keystone Select, Special Regulation, Class A, Stocked, Natural Reproduction. Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) (PDF listing) Stream sections supporting naturally reproducing populations of trout. A wild trout stream section is a biological designation. These streams may also be stocked with hatchery trout by the Commission. Class A Wild Trout Streams (PDF listing) ... Wilderness Trout Streams (PDF listing) ... Wild Trout Designation Streams - Being Considered (PDF Listing)

  Open Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (opens in a new tab)

• StatusCurrency: the PFBC wild trout (natural reproduction) list PDF is titled 'Pennsylvania Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) - August 2026'. It lists each section by county of mouth, water, tributary, wild trout limits, lower-limit latitude/longitude and length.

  PFBC, Pennsylvania Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) list (trout_repro.pdf) [29]
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  Pennsylvania Wild Trout Waters (Natural Reproduction) - August 2026 ... County of Mouth Water Trib To Wild Trout Limits Lower Limit Lat Lower Limit Lon

  Open Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (opens in a new tab)

• StatusCurrency: the PFBC Class A Wild Trout Waters list PDF shows 'Created: August 11, 2026'. It defines Class A waters as streams supporting naturally produced trout of sufficient size and abundance to support a long-term and rewarding sport fishery, managed for natural reproduction with no stocking.

  PFBC, Class A Wild Trout Waters list (classa.pdf) [30]
  Show the source text

  Class A Wild Trout Waters Created: August 11, 2026 Definition of Class A Waters: Streams that support a population of naturally produced trout of sufficient size and abundance to support a long-term and rewarding sport fishery. Management: Natural reproduction, wild populations with no stocking.

  Open Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (opens in a new tab)

• Size cutoffClass A status is based on species-specific trout biomass. For wild brook trout, total brook trout biomass must be at least 30 kg/ha (26.7 lbs/acre) and brook trout must make up at least 75% of total trout biomass. For wild brown trout, total brown trout biomass must be at least 40 kg/ha (35.6 lbs/acre) and brown trout must make up at least 75% of total trout biomass. Both also require at least 0.1 kg/ha (0.089 lbs/acre) of that species under 15 cm (5.9 in). Mixed-species and rainbow criteria also appear in § 57.8a(2).

  58 Pa. Code § 57.8a(1)-(2) [12]
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  (A) Total brook trout biomass of at least 30 kg/ha (26.7 lbs/acre). (B) Total biomass of brook trout less than 15 cm (5.9 inches) in total length of at least 0.1 kg/ha (0.089 lbs/acre). (C) Brook trout biomass must comprise at least 75% of the total trout biomass. (ii) Wild brown trout fisheries. (A) Total brown trout biomass of at least 40 kg/ha (35.6 lbs/acre). (B) Total biomass of brown trout less than 15 cm (5.9 inches) in total length of at least 0.1 kg/ha (0.089 lbs/acre). (C) Brown trout biomass shall comprise at least 75% of the total trout biomass.

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• ProcessPFBC states that after it designates a Class A wild trout stream, the stream enters a process in which DEP will ultimately designate it High Quality cold water fishery (HQ-CWF) under Chapter 93. As of November 2, 2024, about 4% of the Commonwealth's flowing waters were Class A.

  PFBC, Class A Wild Trout Streams; Statements of Policy, 55 Pa.B. 6279 (Aug. 30, 2025), Preamble § E (Summary of Proposal) [33]
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  as of November 2, 2024, approximately 4% of all flowing waters in this Commonwealth have been designated as Class A wild trout streams by the commission. Following designation by the commission, Class A wild trout streams enter a process whereby the Department of Environmental Protection will ultimately designate these stream sections as high quality, cold water fisheries under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93

  Open Pennsylvania Bulletin (opens in a new tab)

• AgencyPFBC states that all stream sections in its wilderness trout program qualify for the EV special protection classification, the highest protection status DEP provides.

  PFBC, Trout Water Classifications web page (Wilderness Trout Streams) [28]
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  Therefore, all stream sections included in this program qualify for the Exceptional Value (EV) special protected water use classification, which represents the highest protection status provided by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

  Open Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (opens in a new tab)

• DefinitionAs used in that subpart of PFBC's fishing regulations, 'stocked trout waters' means waters stocked with adult trout by the Commission. A listing of stocked trout waters is published in PFBC's 'Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws', and the Executive Director or a designee may supplement or modify the list, with additions or deletions published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

  58 Pa. Code § 63.3 [34]
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  As used in this subpart, the term ‘‘stocked trout waters’’ means waters that are stocked with adult trout by the Commission. A listing of stocked trout waters is published in the Commission’s ‘‘Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws,’’ which is available from the Commission at Post Office Box 67000, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17106-7000. The Executive Director or a designee may, from time to time, supplement or modify the list of stocked trout waters, and additions or deletions will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (opens in a new tab)

• StatusThe 2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary separates trout regulations by PFBC region; on pages 25 through 36 each region lists its counties separated by specific trout regulation. Unless geographically designated in the Region Regulated Trout Waters section, 'stocked trout waters' includes the entire stream from headwaters to mouth. PFBC warns that streams may later be deleted or added as stocked trout waters after printing because of last-minute changes in water quality conditions, and says to check with the nearest PFBC office if there is any question.

  PFBC, 2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary, Trout Fishing Regulations (p. 22 ff.) [35]
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  From pages 25 through 36, each region contains a listing of its ... counties separated by specific trout regulation. ... Unless geographically ... designated in the Region Regulated Trout ... Waters section, the term stocked trout waters ... includes the entire stream from headwaters ... to mouth. ... Special note: Although the list was up to ... date at the time this booklet was printed, it ... is possible that some streams may later be ... deleted or added as stocked trout waters ... because of last-minute changes in water ... quality conditions. Check with the nearest ... PFBC office

  Open Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (opens in a new tab)

• DefinitionGP-4 defines 'stocked trout stream' as streams the Fish and Boat Commission classifies as approved trout waters, and 'wild trout streams' as streams the Commission classifies as supporting reproducing trout. For both, it says classification may be verified by contacting a PFBC Regional Office or the Division of Environmental Services.

  DEP General Permit BWEW-GP-4, 3150-PM-BWEW0504 (Rev. 6/2013), ¶ 4 (definitions) [18]
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  STOCKED TROUT STREAM - Streams classified as approved trout waters by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Classification may be verified by contacting the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Regional Office or Division of Environmental Services. ... WILD TROUT STREAMS - Streams classified as supporting reproducing trout populations by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Classification may be verified by contacting the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Regional Office or Division of Environmental Services.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (opens in a new tab)

• ProcessPFBC staff will evaluate or re-evaluate a stream's wild trout classification at DEP's request in connection with permitting. Requests from others are considered as staff and resources allow, prioritized by the status of related DEP permitting decisions, and are addressed to the Bureau of Fisheries, 595 East Rolling Ridge Drive, Bellefonte, PA 16823.

  58 Pa. Code § 57.11(d) [12]
  Show the source text

  The Commission staff will evaluate or re-evaluate the classification of streams as wild trout streams at the request of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in connection with permitting decisions. Requests for evaluation or re-evaluation from persons or parties other than DEP will be considered for review consistent with available staff and resources and prioritized based on the status of DEP permitting decisions related to the sites. ... Bureau of Fisheries, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, 595 East Rolling Ridge Drive, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania 16823.

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

How designations change, and why dates matter

DEP evaluates stream use designations on an ongoing basis, including at PFBC's request, and any person, agency, group, organization, municipality or industry may petition the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to redesignate a stream. Outside agencies, organizations and individuals may also submit data showing a water's existing use differs from its designated use, or enough information to show the water warrants an existing use evaluation; DEP periodically compiles waters on its existing use list into EQB rulemakings that change the designated uses to match the existing use, with public notice and comment before they are final. [20][26]

DEP posts § 93.4d notices of waters it will evaluate for aquatic life use or HQ/EV redesignation on its Stream Evaluation Notifications page, most recently a list dated Sept. 28, 2026, and offers an eNOTICE subscription for them; DEP says a listing does not imply HQ or EV but may lead to a recommendation to the EQB. The evaluations are also noticed in the Pennsylvania Bulletin; on April 11, 2026, for example, DEP noticed evaluations of streams PFBC had classified as Class A or wild trout streams and accepted data through May 11, 2026. [37][38]

PFBC proposes additions to its Class A and wild trout lists by Pennsylvania Bulletin notice with a 30-day comment period, and the Commission then considers them at a meeting; notices published Aug. 15, 2026 proposed changes to both lists for the Commission's October 26, 2026 meeting; their 30-day comment periods have closed, and as of September 29, 2026 the Commission's decisions at that meeting are pending. On Aug. 8, 2026, PFBC announced that the Commission had approved adding 12 stream sections to the Class A list and revising the wild trout list, with 56 new waters plus listing or limit changes to 4 listed waters. [39][40][41][42]

Because the online Pennsylvania Code lags the Bulletin, the two can show different uses for the same stream; see the Sugar Hollow Creek example under "Official sources disagree" above. [9][10]

• ProcessDEP's Stream Redesignations page explains how designations change. DEP evaluates stream use designations on an ongoing basis, evaluations may also be done at the Fish and Boat Commission's request, and any person, agency, group, organization, municipality or industry may petition the Environmental Quality Board to redesignate a stream.

  DEP, Stream Redesignations web page [26]
  Show the source text

  DEP conducts stream use designation evaluations on an ongoing basis. ... Redesignation evaluations may also be conducted at the request of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). In addition, any person, agency, group, organization, municipality or industry may submit a rulemaking petition to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to request a stream redesignation.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (opens in a new tab)

• ProcessAgencies, organizations and individuals outside DEP may submit data to show that a water's existing use differs from its designated use, or enough information to show it warrants an existing use evaluation. DEP periodically compiles listed waterbodies into EQB rulemakings that change the designated uses to match the existing use, with public notice and comment before finalization.

  DEP, Statewide Existing Use Classifications web page [20]
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  Agencies or organizations outside the department and individuals have the option of providing sufficient data to substantiate their position that the existing use differs from the designated use or providing enough information to establish that the waterbody in question warrants an existing use evaluation. Waterbodies on this list are periodically compiled into rulemaking actions taken before the EQB in order to change the designated uses ... to match the existing use of the water. These rulemakings are subject to extensive public notice and input opportunities before finalization.

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (opens in a new tab)

• ProcessDEP posts § 93.4d notices of waters it will evaluate for Aquatic Life Use or Special Protection (HQ/EV) redesignation on its Stream Evaluation Notifications page; the most recent list is dated September 28, 2026. DEP states that a listing does not imply an HQ or EV designation but may lead to a recommendation to the EQB. DEP also offers an eNOTICE subscription category for these notices.

  DEP, Stream Evaluation Notifications web page; 25 Pa. Code § 93.4d(a) [37]
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  This notice does not imply a HQ or EV designation, but this assessment may lead to a recommendation to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) for redesignation. To enhance public awareness of these activities, the Department is announcing an additional eNOTICE subscription category that includes stream evaluation notifications. ... September 28, 2026

  Open Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (opens in a new tab)

• ProcessSuch evaluations are also noticed in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. For example, on April 11, 2026 DEP noticed evaluations of streams that the Fish and Boat Commission had classified as Class A wild trout streams (§ 57.8a) or wild trout streams (§ 57.11), and accepted water-quality data through May 11, 2026.

  DEP notice, 56 Pa.B. 2070 (Apr. 11, 2026), Pa.B. Doc. No. 26-532; 25 Pa. Code § 93.4d(a) [38]
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  Each of these streams has been classified by the Fish and Boat Commission as a Class A wild trout stream under 58 Pa. Code § 57.8a (relating to Class A wild trout streams) or a wild trout stream under 58 Pa. Code § 57.11 (relating to listing of wild trout streams). ... Interested persons may submit data through Monday, May 11, 2026.

  Open Pennsylvania Bulletin (opens in a new tab)

• ProcessHow the Class A list changes: PFBC publishes proposed additions in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, with a 30-day written comment period to the Executive Director or electronic comment through PFBC's regulatory-changes web page. The Commission then considers them at a meeting. For example, the notice at 56 Pa.B. 5493 (Aug. 15, 2026) proposed additions for consideration at the October 26, 2026 meeting. That notice's 30-day comment period has closed, and as of September 29, 2026 the Commission's decision at the October 26, 2026 meeting is still pending.

  PFBC notice, Proposed Changes to List of Class A Wild Trout Streams; October 2026, 56 Pa.B. 5493 (Aug. 15, 2026) [39]
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  [56 Pa.B. 5493] [Saturday, August 15, 2026] ... The Commission intends to consider adding these waters to its list of Class A wild trout streams at its meeting on October 26, 2026. ... Persons with comments, objections or suggestions concerning the classification of the streams listed may submit them in writing to the Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. To submit a comment electronically, visit pa.gov/agencies/fishandboat/about-us/meetings/regulatory-changes

  Open Pennsylvania Bulletin (opens in a new tab)

• ProcessThe wild trout list changes the same way: proposed additions are noticed in the Pennsylvania Bulletin with a 30-day comment period and considered at a Commission meeting. The notice at 56 Pa.B. 5496 (Aug. 15, 2026) named the next Commission meeting, October 26, 2026, as when the Commission will consider its proposed changes; that notice's 30-day comment period has closed, and as of September 29, 2026 the meeting is still to come. PFBC states that a wild trout listing is a biological designation that does not determine how the stream is managed.

  PFBC notice, Proposed Changes to the List of Wild Trout Streams; October 2026, 56 Pa.B. 5496 (Aug. 15, 2026) [40]
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  [56 Pa.B. 5496] [Saturday, August 15, 2026] ... The listing of a stream section as a wild trout stream is a biological designation that does not determine how it is managed. ... At the next Commission meeting on October 26, 2026, the Commission will consider changes to its list of wild trout streams. ... within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

  Open Pennsylvania Bulletin (opens in a new tab)

• StatusThe most recent final changes: on August 8, 2026 PFBC announced approval of 12 stream sections added to the Class A list (proposed at 56 Pa.B. 2940, May 16, 2026).

  PFBC notice, Changes to the List of Class A Wild Trout Streams; July 2026, 56 Pa.B. 5355 (Aug. 8, 2026) [41]
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  The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) approved the addition of 12 stream sections to its list of Class A wild trout streams as set forth at 56 Pa.B. 2940 (May 16, 2026).

  Open Pennsylvania Bulletin (opens in a new tab)

• StatusOn the same date PFBC announced approved revisions to the wild trout list: 56 new waters, plus listing or limit changes to 4 listed waters. The notice states that the complete list is maintained by the Fisheries Management Division and available on the PFBC Trout Water Classifications web page.

  PFBC notice, Changes to the List of Wild Trout Streams; July 2026, 56 Pa.B. 5356 (Aug. 8, 2026) [42]
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  The Fish and Boat Commission (Commission) approved revisions to its list of wild trout streams, which include 56 new waters and listing or limit changes to 4 waters that are currently listed. ... The Commission's Fisheries Management Division maintains the complete list of wild trout streams, and it is available on the Commission's website at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/fishandboat/fishing/all-about-fish/catch-pa-fish/trout/trout-water-classifications.

  Open Pennsylvania Bulletin (opens in a new tab)

• StatusExample of the lag: the online Code's Drainage List D still lists Sugar Hollow Creek (Monroe County, basin) as CWF, MF, and its source note shows § 93.9d last amended July 9, 2021 (51 Pa.B. 3733).

  25 Pa. Code § 93.9d (Drainage List D), as shown on the Pennsylvania Code website [10]
  Show the source text

  | 4—Sugar Hollow Creek | Basin | Monroe | CWF, MF | None ... amended July 9, 2021, effective July 10, 2021, 51 Pa.B. 3733.

  Open Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau) (opens in a new tab)

• StatusThe July 11, 2026 final rule redesignates Sugar Hollow Creek (Monroe County, basin, Drainage List D) from CWF, MF to HQ-CWF, MF, and its Annex A lists the stream as HQ-CWF, MF.

  EQB final-form rulemaking, 56 Pa.B. 4034 (July 11, 2026), Summary of HQ Redesignation Recommendations and Annex A (§ 93.9d) [9]
  Show the source text

  | Sugar Hollow Creek | Monroe | Basin | D | CWF, MF | HQ-CWF | HQ-CWF, MF ... | 4—Sugar Hollow Creek | Basin | Monroe | HQ-CWF, MF | None

  Open Pennsylvania Bulletin (opens in a new tab)

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