For Immediate Release

August 9, 2002

CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES RECEIVES $330,000 GRANT FOR PENNYPACK CREEK WATERSHED STUDY

Over the past 30 years, the Pennypack Creek watershed has undergone tremendous urbanization. The creek has also become infamous, with excessive flooding resulting in lives lost and millions of dollars in damage.

In an effort to tackle several important issues related to the watershed, the Center for Sustainable Communities at Temple University Ambler (CSC) will undertake a 30-month Pennypack Creek Watershed Study. The study is being funded in part by a $330,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation.

“The Pennypack has become a major problem area. The upper reaches of the Pennypack have given way to ‘mega-mall’-type development and all of the water runoff is entering the creeks through storm sewers,” said Dr. Jeffrey Featherstone, director of the Center for Sustainable Communities and an associate professor of Community and Regional Planning. “It has changed the hydrology for the watershed and flood peaks have increased. Now all of the people downstream who thought they were safe are finding out they are no longer free from flooding.” 

The study will provide an updated set of floodplain maps for the 12-municipality, 56-square-mile area. The study will undertake hydrologic modeling and extensive Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping for the watershed. University experts will also conduct water quality monitoring in addition to providing municipal officials with better technical information to implement open space and stream corridor protection plans.

“The municipalities wanted to develop a watershed plan without going to various government agencies to accomplish their goal — there’s a different department for floodplains, for GIS maps, for open space,” Dr. Featherstone said. “They wanted a single body to do all of the pieces. We are able to provide that.”

According to Horsham Township Manager Mike McGee, flooding continues to be a major problem in the township “and we have become more and more sensitive to it.”

“Storms like Hurricane Floyd and Tropical Storm Allison, for example, far exceeded the 100-year flood level. Our part of the Pennypack watershed is entirely developed, but there is a lot of development taking place,” he said. “It is tough for us as a single entity to take an action without knowing what the effect is going to be downstream. A major study of the impacts on all of the municipalities in the watershed is critical.”

Dr. Featherstone said while the CSC will provide all of the research for the study, it will be up to the individual municipalities to implement the results.

“In addition to the new mapping, we’ll be developing standardized stormwater and floodplain ordinances and handbooks on best management practices,” he said. “The Pennypack study will provide the essential information for a stormwater plan for the watershed.”

Development in many of the watershed municipalities took place long before stormwater management plans and ordinances were ever developed, said Joe Golden, Upper Southampton township manager.

“We have 10 to 12 homes right now that are in serious danger from flooding. I look forward to the results of this study, the specific recommendations,” he said. “Right now, I think our regulations will prevent problems with future development. It’s the existing development that needs to be addressed and it will be the most costly to address.”

According to Michael Stokes, Assistant Director of the Montgomery County Planning Commission, the eastern part of Montgomery County, which includes the Pennypack Watershed, is most at risk from flooding due to rapid development.

“I think what is impressive about this study in particular is that it looks at the entirety of water resources in the watershed,” he said. “It brings together experts from all of the various water resource disciplines — water quality, stormwater management, floodplain mapping — into one piece.”

An important component of the study includes an extensive public information and involvement program. The program will include a website to post study progress and provide opportunities for the public to comment on study proposals, in addition to workshops for municipal officials and interested members of the public.

The municipalities recognize that the removal of houses in the floodplain areas is only one measure of success, Dr. Featherstone said.

“They must improve and protect the environmental quality of the watershed through implementation of stormwater and floodplain ordinances, water quality improvement measures, open space protection, ecological restoration, and improved stormwater management. We want to give them options and alternatives to explore.”

The 56-square-mile Pennypack Creek watershed includes a population of about 640,000 people, according to the Philadelphia Water Department. In addition to the City of Philadelphia, the townships and boroughs located wholly or partially in the watershed include: Abington, Bryn Athyn, Hatboro, Horsham, Jenkintown, Lower Moreland, Rockledge, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland, Upper Southampton, and Warminster.

According to Dr. Featherstone, the municipalities have committed $100,000 to the watershed study. The Center is also in discussion with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Philadelphia Water Department about additional funding. The study is expected to by completed in late 2004.

“The CSC was created to encourage multi-municipal coordination and management. A watershed study like this one is a classic example of how and why municipalities should work together,” Dr. Featherstone said. “If they are not working toward a common goal, the same problems are just going to keep reappearing.”

Temple University Ambler College is dedicated to promoting sustainable communities, effective land use, and environmental awareness. The B.S. and M.S. degrees in Community and Regional Planning will be offered for the first time in Fall 2002. Students may also choose from a B.S., A.S., or credit certificate programs in Horticulture; or a B.S. in Landscape Architecture. To learn about the new Community and Regional Planning program or other degree programs offered through Temple University Ambler such as business, education, communications, and liberal arts, call 215-283-1252 or visit www.ambler.temple.edu.

CONTACT: James Duffy, (215) 283-1290, duffyj@mail.temple.edu, release available by e-mail