~ Water Resources Association ~

Water Resource Associations of the Delaware River Basin

Summer '05

Chairman's Message

For over two weeks in April, an unaccustomed sport - whale watching - caught the imagination of hundreds of Delaware Valley residents. The white Beluga whale Helis wandered up and down the Delaware River, as far north as Trenton. Speculation is that Helis took a side trip from the usual Spring migration north to the Saint Lawrence River, departing from the Atlantic Ocean in order to chase a school of herring into Delaware Bay. Then Helis continued north to enjoy a feast of American shad in our river. The 10 to 12 foot long mammal made it eighty miles from the mouth of the Bay. After several days Helis disappeared, presumably returning to the Atlantic and resuming the trip to Canada.

A visit from a whale is actually not unprecedented. In 1978 and again in 1955, lone Beluga whales were spotted somewhat further south in the Delaware. Even so, we can take pride in the conditions that made the Delaware gastronomically attractive to Helis this year. Put simply, the fishing can be quite good (at least for a whale). In fact, the Delaware’s shad runs are ranked among the best anywhere in North America.

The Delaware River Basin Commission can take credit for the quality of marine life, along with the four state environmental agencies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, municipalities and industry. Marine life coexists with shipping, industry and communities that offer excellent living, working and recreational opportunities, along the crowded banks of our river. As the Commission and other agencies move forward with implementation of the new Basin Water Resources Plan, we need to protect and improve the natural habitats for aquatic life from the headwaters to Delaware Bay and the man-made amenities vital to the human population as well.

Ken Myers
WRA Chairman

Around the Basin: Online Forecast System Predicts Schuylkill River Water Quality

With several major triathlons set and other recreational events set to occur on the Schuylkill River this summer, the Philadelphia Water Department's new online system, Philly RiverCast, will be a valuable tool for event organizers and participating athletes.

Philly RiverCast answers some of the most frequently asked questions about recreating in the Schuylkill River, the river's water quality and related health concerns, as well as why the water quality of a river changes. RiverCast provides a forecast of water quality that predicts potential levels of pathogens in the Schuylkill River between Flat Rock Dam and the Fairmount Dam (between Manayunk and Boathouse Row). To check out the current water quality forecast, visit www.phillyrivercast.org.

According to Dr. Christopher S. Crockett of the Philadelphia Water Department, "Philly RiverCast is the first online, river water quality forecast system of its type in the U.S."; The water quality of the Schuylkill River has improved tremendously over the past thirty years. However, like all working rivers, it is not a pristine body of water. "RiverCast has been designed to help individuals make informed decisions when participating in events on this section the river," remarked Crockett who heads up the Water Department's watershed protection efforts.

RiverCast uses an easy to follow color-coded system that designates the suitability of the river's water quality:

• Green – suitable for all recreational activities.
• Yellow – may not be suitable for activities involving direct contact with the river.
• Red – not suitable for activities involving direct contact with the river.

The water quality designations are based upon historical relationships between water quality, stream flow, and rainfall data. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines for ambient water quality criteria for bacteria were also used in determining the designations.

The historical data analysis compiled bacteria and turbidity (water clarity) data collected by the Philadelphia Water Department in the section of the river from Manayunk to Boathouse Row over the period of 1998 to 2000. The U.S. Geological Survey’s rainfall and stream-flow data for the same location and time period were also used.

The Philadelphia Water Department cautions individuals that the city’s rivers and streams are not designated swimming areas, and swimming and bathing are not permitted outside of organized events (such as races and triathlons), due to risks of drowning, injury from submerged objects, strong currents, and other hazards.

Philly RiverCast was developed by the Water Department with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is also part of a much larger Early Warning System (EWS) for the Delaware Valley/River. The EWS was the subject of a seminar held by WRA on April 28, 2005. Stay tuned for more information on this important initiative.

For more information on how your organization may benefit from RiverCast, please contact Joan Przybylowicz of the Philadelphia Water Department at 215-685-4904.

This article was taken from a June 15, 2005 News Release from the Philadelphia Water Department.