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Valley Creek Watershed Restoration Plan |
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Valley Creek |
Photo Credit: Photos (June 2006 Flooding in VFNP) provided by Valley Forge National Park Service
The Valley Creek watershed was designated Exceptional Value in 1993 and is one of the two Class “A” trout streams in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Chester County Water Resources Authority studies have identified stormwater runoff as a major threat to the integrity and health of the Valley Creek watershed. Ineffective or uncontrolled stormwater runoff has led to accelerated streambank erosion, stream channel damage and increased flooding. This has lead to damage to private and public property, health in aquatic species and threats to community infrastructure, including roads and utility pipes. (Footnote 1.)
The Valley Creek flows through Valley Forge National Park and is popular with anglers and others who enjoy the water resources and surrounding heritage.
The watershed experienced significant growth and development over the years with over 50% of the land being developed by 2000. The land disturbances and impervious areas have increased the run off and decreased ground infiltration. (Footnote 2.)
John Hoekstra, Green Valley Association writes, Future of Valley Creek’s Health in Danger, GVA along with our Valley Creek Coalition partners are very concerned for the future health of the Valley Creek Watershed. The tip of the degradation iceberg is the stormwater discharge permit application for the Charlestown slip ramp which is now in front of DEP for their review. This slip ramp is being built to mainly to service the Atwater Development. To summarize our major concern, there are no water quality measures being employed for this runoff that ultimately gets directed to the former quarry (Atwater’s lake feature) which then helps feed Valley Creek. Remember I said that was the tip.
In the very near future there is the significant threat of major environmental degradation to this Exceptional Value watershed by the proposed widening of the PA Turnpike . That plan calls for a six mile stretch between mile markers 320 and 326 to be widened a total of 40`, 20` per side. Valley Creek is already suffering greatly under too much stormwater runoff and cannot handle a drop more. It is estimated that the watershed has about a 23% impervious cover (roadways, parking lots, rooftops). It has been shown that once a watershed reaches a cover of 25% it is at the point of no return. The Coalition is once again preparing to fight for the very life and future of this Class-A trout fishery which adds to everyone’s quality of life and is steep in history.
Footnote 1. CCPC Planning Newsletter. Winter 2005
Footnote 2. Valley Creek Restoration Strategic Plan
Alma Forsyth
