About this Project

AEG prepared the Poquessing Creek Watershed Stream Assessment Report for the Philadelphia Water Department. The Poquessing Creek and its tributaries were degraded from stormwater runoff and channel alterations from urbanization. AEG continued monitoring efforts in the watershed and compiled a comprehensive report summarizing stream conditions and prioritizing restoration efforts.

The stream studies conducted by AEG were a combination of field data collection and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data assessment. The AEG team walked over 60 miles of stream channel to assess the condition of the perennial streams in the 20-square-mile watershed. The Unified Stream Assessment Methodology (USAM) was used to classify the state of the in-stream habitat, floodplain condition, riparian buffer condition, and several other parameters throughout the watershed. Cross-section surveys, bankfull identification, and photographs were collected at each stream reach for geomorphic classification. Interviews were conducted with the local watershed population to determine changes in the watershed over time.

Hydrologic models and regression equations were used to calibrate stream cross-section bankfull flows, and AEG reviewed and analyzed the Poquessing Creek Act 167 model flows and calibration. AEG used the updated data in coordination with field-observed bankfull parameters and cross-sections to optimize bankfull predictions in the watershed.

AEG used GIS to develop watershed surface feature mapping, including soils, subwatersheds, geology, infrastructure locations, stream reaches, and several additional datasets.

AEG compiled the Poquessing Creek Watershed Stream Assessment Report, which included a comprehensive geomorphic characterization, stream condition survey, and infrastructure survey. The assessment was used to develop recommendations and priorities for future restoration efforts.