Watershed Plans & Reports

These plans present a logical and affordable pathway to restore and protect the beneficial and designated uses of the waters of a basin. Based on extensive physical, chemical and biological assessments, the plan explores the nature, causes, severity and opportunities for control of water quality impairments in the watershed. The primary intent of the planning process, as articulated by the stakeholders, is to improve the environmental health and safe enjoyment of the watershed by sharing resources and through cooperation among residents and other stakeholders in the watershed. The goals of the initiative are to protect, enhance, and restore the beneficial uses of the waterway and its riparian areas.

In order to form the scientific basis for Integrated Watershed Management Plans, technical data is presented and discussed in Comprehensive Characterization Reports (CCR). These documents contain detailed technical information about land use, geology, soils, topography, demographics, meteorology, hydrology, water quality, ecology, fluvial geomorphology, and pollutant loads in a watershed. One CCR is prepared for each watershed, intended to be a single compilation of background and technical documents that can be periodically updated as additional field work or data analyses are completed.

The Philadelphia Water Department views the River Conservation Planning process as a holistic approach to improving watershed health as well as a complementary initiative to the Integrated Watershed Management Planning Program. River Conservation Plans are developed through a collaborative process involving local organizations and residents and address various types of projects that will help make the watershed a more desirable place to live. They address broader concepts of how a combination of restoration, maintenance, and/or enhancement initiatives can preserve or improve history, water quality, culture, ecology, parks, art, trails, crime prevention, youth education, municipal education, and much more.

The Schuylkill and Delaware River Source Water Protection Plans make recommendations for action based on the source water assessments. Both plans focus on preventing spills in accidents, improving communication among water suppliers during emergencies, and maintaining forest cover critical to drinking water protection.

In order to identify watershed-wide priorities for improving source water, we conduct source water assessments with other stakeholders in each watershed. These assessments are intended to be a collaborative effort among all parties with the common interest of improving the quality of our drinking water sources. Coalitions are formed to provide data and resources so stakeholders have them available. These assessments are living documents and are constantly being updated. This year’s research focus has been to examine water quantity in the Schuylkill River and the sustainability of the supply now and in the future.

The Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Act of 1978 (PA Act 167) requires the preparation and adoption of stormwater management plans for each watershed within a Pennsylvania county. The main goal of Act 167 plans is to manage stormwater on a watershed basis through establishing peak rate control and management districts for flood control and a model ordinance for municipalities to adopt to better manage stormwater. The plans also aim to reduce erosion, preserve natural stormwater runoff regimes, protect and conserve ground water.