Brodhead Watershed Nominated as Critical Water Planning Area
By: Edie Stevens
When PA DEP started to update the State Water Plan five years ago, (the first update in 25 years), it looked to us like a lot of bean-counting and not much else. Users of more than 10,000 gallons of water per day were required to register their withdrawals – a first in PA. Most did, with much complaining.
Now that the beans have been counted, and we can see where water stresses exist, or might develop, the Brodhead watershed is getting a closer look. When withdrawals and discharges are plugged into a model developed by the US Geological Survey, some areas of the watershed seem to come up short -- potentially unable to support all the water demands made on it.
We've already learned from a close look at the Pocono watershed that when the watershed is fully developed, under current zoning, base flow of the Pocono Creek will decrease by 30%. That means that fish, and the bugs they depend on, may not survive.
Pat Kennedy, Theresa Merli and Edie Stevens traveled to Allentown recently to support the nomination of the Brodhead watershed as a Critical Water Planning Area. A CWPA is an area that preliminary studies suggest needs a closer look. Three watersheds in the Delaware watershed were nominated, the Brodhead among them. One will be selected to go to the next step, development of a Plan to protect the water resources.
Theresa pointed out the strong consensus that exists in Monroe County to plan proactively for future growth and environmental protection. Pat used a personal anecdote to support the need for scientifically sound planning. Edie provided information on the larger amount of forest land in private ownership in the Upper Brodhead and Paradise sub-watersheds and the importance of protecting forests to protect water quality. All urged that the Brodhead watershed be selected to take the next steps, developing the sound science on which good plans are built.