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The Schuylkill Drainage zone consists of a series of small streams and runoff areas along the Schuylkill River that are a part of the vast Schuylkill River Watershed. A portion of this watershed covering northern Chester County falls within the boundaries of Green Valleys Association. Though not all of these streams are worthy of high-quality ratings, this drainage area is important in regard to flood control and the overall quality of the Schuylkill River in general, and therefore is of concern to Green Valleys.
The drainage area itself is one of farms, industry, and boroughs along the river. Animal waste, fertilizer and other farm chemicals must be prevented from contaminating the Schuylkill River which provides water to the boroughs of Spring City, Royersford, and Phoenixville plus downriver cities including Norristown and Philadelphia.
Storm water must be allowed to percolate into the ground as much as possible rather than to be accumulated in manmade receptacles such as parking lots and streets, only to be channeled into the river. The diversion of storm water to the river has a cumulative effect along the river which strains its capacity and causes flooding in low-lying areas.
Flooding conditions such as those experienced with Hurricane Agnes in 1972 are not common by any means, but excessive rains will stress any groundwater removal system. It is only by properly maintaining the drainage area that the exacerbation of flooding can be reduced. |
THE STATE OF OUR WATERSHEDS…
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