Assessments, Plans, and Current Data Collection

Plans and assessments for the Darby-Cobbs watershed are a little dated—most are about a decade old.  The key documents that the PWD and its partners use to implement progress towards improving the watershed include the following:

• 2001 Trail Master Plan for Cobbs Creek Park
• 2004 Comprehensive Characterization Report
• 2004 Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP)
• 2004 Stormwater Management Plan, Act 167
• 2005 Darby Creek Watershed Conservation Plan
• 2006 Cobbs Creek Wetlands Assessment

There is an update in July 2013 for a citywide Trail Master Plan that affects the Darby-Cobbs watershed, but is not as watershed-specific as earlier plans.  As part of the Philadelphia2035 planning vision, several district plans are being completed over the next several years.  Of the completed district plans in the Darby-Cobbs watershed, there is little emphasis on watershed health, but rather on environmental resources and open space.  Stormwater management practices are also being incorporated within District plans.  There is a need for more current assessments and formal evaluation of progress towards the CCIWMP (2004), but I understand that PWD has a limited budget and still needs to complete IWMPs for three watersheds.  

Data collection and data sharing for the watershed could also be improved.  PWD notes that they receive live data updates from two USGS stations, which is great, but also only two stations.   A fantastic interactive map of watershed monitoring activities is on the PWD’s Darby-Cobbs watershed website, which includes macroinvertebrate, habitat, fish, chemistry, and wet weather monitoring sites, addition to shade assessment sites.  It’s unclear who conducts the watershed monitoring, when, and how often.  After visiting the Darby Creek Valley Association’s website, I learned that the DCVA monitors the health of the watershed by sampling the benthic macroinvertebrates. They use the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Rapid Bioassessment Protocols to collect the sample.

PWD could make the watershed monitoring activities map more meaningful by giving more information on who collects the data and how one can get involved (which organization to contact).   PWD’s website makes a great springboard for people to learn about the watershed since they are the coordinating force behind the Partnership.  Of course, more partner organizations with willing volunteers could certainly help additional data collection and monitoring, as well.