3. Delaware River
Watershed Facts
Over 15 million people
(about 5% of the U.S.
population) rely on the
waters of the basin
Drains 13,539 mi² , or 0.4
of 1% of the continental
U.S. land area
Longest undammed river
east of the Mississippi
Daily water withdrawal in
the DRB = 8.7 BGD
1
5
6. Salt Line
(250 mg/l, 7 day avg)
Water Supply Intakes
RM 110
1960’s Maximum
M O N TH
Normal
R.M. 77
Ja n
Fe b
Ma r
Ap r
Ma y
J un
J ul
Aug
Se p
Oct
N ov
Dec
A V G . M I D -M O N TH
L O C A TI O N
68
68
67
61
64
67
72
77
79
81
80
74
Data for determination provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and Kimberly Clark Corp.
8. DRBC
Special Protection Waters Program
“It is the policy of
the Commission
that there be no
measurable change
to existing water
quality except
towards natural
conditions …”
9. Water Quality
Federal Wild and Scenic
River Designation – ¾ of
non-tidal river
Total non-tidal river and
its watershed designated
DRBC Special Protection
Waters
Mainstem = longest
stretch of anti-degradation
waters in U.S.
No measurable change in
water quality
10. Vulnerability of Headwaters
Headwaters are the
most sensitive areas
of a watershed
Existing contiguous
forest is critical to
water quantity and
quality
Philadelphia Source
Water Protection
Analysis
#1 – Change in
Delaware River
Headwaters
11. Aerial view of a Marcellus Shale well site near Waynesburg, Pa. (MICHAEL BRYANT / Phila. Inquirer Photographer )
14. Research Needs for Policy Decisions
Data,
Monitoring
Modeling
Aquatic Resources
Value of Forests
Climate Change
Natural Gas Impacts
Social Issues
Economic Analyses
15. Research Needs for Policy Decisions
Data,
Monitoring
Background, trends, “red flags”
Qualified staff, reliable equipment, data
programs
Mapping
Land Use
Natural Features
Prioritization of HVWRL
16. Research Needs for Policy Decisions
Modeling
Flow model, Salinity model, Runoff model
Rank subbasins response to change
Forecast change to multiple factors
Connect land use change to WQ
ID most critical lands to Water Resources
Impact of traditional development vs LID
17. Research Needs for Policy Decisions
Aquatic
Resources
316(b) – Impingement/Entrainment
• Estuary – existing conditions, cumulative impact
Location of key communities and habitats
Value
of Forests to WQ
Natural Capital, % Loss Before Impact
Type, Distance from Waterbody
Mapping
18. Research Needs for Policy Decisions
Climate
Scenario testing, Drought/flood of record
Natural
Change
Gas Impacts
Land changes
WQ Impacts
19. Research Needs for Policy Decisions
Social/Community
Value of Clean Water to Region
Economic
Issues
Analysis
Effect of pricing on water use (block rates)
Changes in industry/utilities – water use
Natural capital analyses
Economics of raising DO std. in Estuary
Value of “Keeping the Clean Water Clean”
Value of RBCs – Cost Effectiveness