2006 Land Use/Land CoverNOAA CSC

DEVEL 15%

AG 26%

FOREST

6,288 mi2

49%

WETLANDS8%

WATER2%

BARREN <1%

DEVEL1%

AG 13%

FOREST

2,778 mi2

81%

WETLANDS3%

WATER2%

BARREN

BASIN

UPPER REGION

DEVEL10%

AG24%

FOREST1925 mi2

58%

WETLANDS6%

WATER2%

BARREN

CENTRAL REGION

Outstanding Regional Resource

Exceptional water quality

Exceptional source water

Ecological diversity ~75% of non-tidal

river part of National Wild and Scenic Rivers System

100% of non-tidal river is Special Protection Waters

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

Head of Tide

Delaware River Port Complex – Largest Fresh Water Port

1960’s Maximum

Salt Line (250 mg/l, 7 day avg)

Normal R.M. 77

Data for determination provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and Kimberly Clark Corp.

AVG. MID-MONTH

LOCATION

J an 68Feb 68Mar 67Apr 61May 64J un 67J ul 72Aug 77Sep 79Oct 81Nov 80Dec 74

MONTH

Water Supply Intakes RM 110

Fish Consumption Advisories

“It is the policy of the Commission that there be no measurable change to existing water quality except towards natural conditions …”

DRBC Special Protection Waters Program

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

Water Quality

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

Vulnerability of Headwaters

15 M

illion

People

Aerial view of a Marcellus Shale well site near Waynesburg, Pa. (MICHAEL BRYANT / Phila. Inquirer Photographer )

Sea Level RiseMore Intense StormsSummer Droughts

Issues knocking on our door

Interconnected Water Resources

Research Needs for Policy Decisions

Data, Monitoring Modeling Aquatic Resources Value of Forests Climate Change Natural Gas Impacts Social Issues Economic Analyses

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

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

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

Research Needs for Policy Decisions

Climate Change Scenario testing, Drought/flood of record

Natural Gas Impacts Land changes WQ Impacts

Research Needs for Policy Decisions

Social/Community Issues Value of Clean Water to Region

Economic 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

QUESTIONS? ww.DRBC.net

Data, MonitoringModelingAquatic ResourcesValue of ForestsClimate ChangeNatural Gas ImpactsSocial IssuesEconomic Analyses