Stream Conditions Monitoring Network
USGS, in cooperation with Chester County, has monitored stream conditions since 1969
Assessing Stream Sediment Conditions
USGS, in cooperation with Chester County, has monitored sediment transport in local streams since 2007
Paired Air and Water Temperature Monitoring
Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS)
USGS has had a cooperative program with Chester County, Pennsylvania, to measure and describe water resources since 1969. Cooperation has been primarily with the Chester County Water Resources Authority, with participation from the Chester County Health Department. This partnership provides Chester County with scientific information for water-resources management.
The history and activities of biological and sediment monitoring in Chester County are described in geonarratives published in 2024.
- Stream conditions monitoring network in Chester County, PA gives a brief history and components of the program and provide links to published data and reports.
- Assessing stream sediment conditions in Chester County, PA explores the sediment and turbidity network, collected data, and modeling of suspended-sediment concentrations and loads.
Chester County Monitoring Network Web App
The Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA) was created in 1961, primarily for land acquisition and planning for flood-control and water-supply projects. With the backing of the Brandywine Valley Association, the CCWRA started its first cooperative project with the USGS in 1969. It was a study of the water-quality condition of Chester County streams with an emphasis on benthic-macroinvertebrates and stream chemistry.
The types of projects and data collection conducted by the USGS have changed with the needs of Chester County and the mission of the CCWRA. Chester County is experiencing rapid population growth resulting in considerable stress on water resources. In response, the CCWRA has broadened its focus from flood control to water-supply planning, water quality, and groundwater and surface-water management. The results of USGS studies are used by the CCWRA and other county agencies, including the Planning Commission, Health Department, and Parks and Recreation, for conducting day-to-day activities and planning for future growth. The results also are used by the CCWRA to provide guidance and technical assistance to municipalities, water suppliers, industrial dischargers, watershed and conservancy associations and other civic organizations, state and Federal agencies, river basin commissions, and the private sector.
The cooperative water-resources program benefits not only citizens of Chester County but also those in other states as the headwaters of several interstate drainages lie within the county. In addition, the program serves the interests of the Federal government as innovative studies conducted in Chester County provide methods and interpretations that often can be used nationwide. Major program thrusts include collection of surface-water, groundwater, and water-quality data and interpretive studies.
Find data online at the Chester County Monitoring Network web app.
Also see our archived pre-2013 bibliography on the 'Science' tab.
Effects of urbanization on storm-runoff volume and peak discharge of Valley Creek, eastern Chester County, Pennsylvania
Effects of flood controls proposed for West Branch Brandywine Creek, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Determination of benthic-invertebrate indices and water-quality trends of selected streams in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1969-80
Water-table contour map of the carbonate rocks of eastern Chester County, Pennsylvania, October 1983
A stormwater management model for the West Branch Brandywine Creek, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Seepage study of streams crossing Chester Valley, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Hydrology of two small river basins in Pennsylvania before urbanization, with a section on observation of stream fauna
The natural channel of Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania
USGS has had a cooperative program with Chester County, Pennsylvania, to measure and describe water resources since 1969. Cooperation has been primarily with the Chester County Water Resources Authority, with participation from the Chester County Health Department. This partnership provides Chester County with scientific information for water-resources management.
The history and activities of biological and sediment monitoring in Chester County are described in geonarratives published in 2024.
- Stream conditions monitoring network in Chester County, PA gives a brief history and components of the program and provide links to published data and reports.
- Assessing stream sediment conditions in Chester County, PA explores the sediment and turbidity network, collected data, and modeling of suspended-sediment concentrations and loads.
Chester County Monitoring Network Web App
The Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA) was created in 1961, primarily for land acquisition and planning for flood-control and water-supply projects. With the backing of the Brandywine Valley Association, the CCWRA started its first cooperative project with the USGS in 1969. It was a study of the water-quality condition of Chester County streams with an emphasis on benthic-macroinvertebrates and stream chemistry.
The types of projects and data collection conducted by the USGS have changed with the needs of Chester County and the mission of the CCWRA. Chester County is experiencing rapid population growth resulting in considerable stress on water resources. In response, the CCWRA has broadened its focus from flood control to water-supply planning, water quality, and groundwater and surface-water management. The results of USGS studies are used by the CCWRA and other county agencies, including the Planning Commission, Health Department, and Parks and Recreation, for conducting day-to-day activities and planning for future growth. The results also are used by the CCWRA to provide guidance and technical assistance to municipalities, water suppliers, industrial dischargers, watershed and conservancy associations and other civic organizations, state and Federal agencies, river basin commissions, and the private sector.
The cooperative water-resources program benefits not only citizens of Chester County but also those in other states as the headwaters of several interstate drainages lie within the county. In addition, the program serves the interests of the Federal government as innovative studies conducted in Chester County provide methods and interpretations that often can be used nationwide. Major program thrusts include collection of surface-water, groundwater, and water-quality data and interpretive studies.
Find data online at the Chester County Monitoring Network web app.
Also see our archived pre-2013 bibliography on the 'Science' tab.