Since 1969, the Pennsylvania Water Science Center has had a cooperative program with Chester County to measure and describe water resources. 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.
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.
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Paired Air and Water Temperature Monitoring for Next Generation Water Observing System
Next Generation Water Observing System: Delaware River Basin
Delaware River Basin
Pre-2013 Bibliography of USGS publications - Chester County, Pennsylvania (Archive)
Datasets
Per-and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) and associated ancillary data from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA, 2019
Data for regression models developed to estimate fecal coliform concentrations at five stream sites, Chester County, Pennsylvania (2017)
Maps
Bathymetry and capacity of Chambers Lake, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Altitude and configuration of the potentiometric surface in the Lower White Clay Creek and Upper Christina River Basins including portions of Franklin, London Britain, New Garden, and New London Townships, Chester County, Pennsylvania, June through Septem
Altitude and configuration of the potentiometric surface in East Nottingham and West Nottingham Townships, Chester County, Pennsylvania, April through June 2004
Aeromagnetic map of the Wagontown quadrangle, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Aeromagnetic map of part of the Coatesville quadrangle, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Aeromagnetic map of the Downingtown quadrangle, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Aeromagnetic map of the Malvern quadrangle, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Publications
Also see our archived pre-2013 bibliography on the 'Science' tab.
Estimated fecal coliform bacteria concentrations using near real-time continuous water-quality and streamflow data from five stream sites in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 2007–16
Evaluation of long-term trends in hydrologic and water-quality conditions, and estimation of water budgets through 2013, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Mineralogy and environmental geochemistry of historical iron slag, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Pennsylvania, USA
A benthic-macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity and assessment of conditions in selected streams in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1998-2009
Trace metals related to historical iron smelting at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Berks and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania
Estimated suspended-sediment loads and yields in the French and Brandywine Creek Basins, Chester County, Pennsylvania, water years 2008-09
Distribution of trace metals at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Berks and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania
Pathogenic bacteria and microbial-source tracking markers in Brandywine Creek Basin, Pennsylvania and Delaware, 2009-10
Groundwater-quality monitoring program in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1980-2008
Physical and Vegetative Characteristics of a Newly Constructed Wetland and Modified Stream Reach, Tredyffrin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 2000-2006
Drought-trigger ground-water levels in Chester County, Pennsylvania, for the period of record ending May 2006
Effect of on-site wastewater disposal on quality of ground water and base flow: A pilot study in Chester County, southeastern Pennsylvania, 2005
Development of regional curves relating bankfull-channel geometry and discharge to drainage area for streams in Pennsylvania and selected areas of Maryland
Web Tools
Chester County (Pennsylvania) Monitoring Networks
Since 1969, the Pennsylvania Water Science Center has had a cooperative program with Chester County to measure and describe water resources. Cooperation has been primarily with the Chester County Water Resources Authority, with participation from the Chester County Health Department.
The Chester County Monitoring Network web tool provides near real-time water data.
GBIF-US
Species observations for the United States and Territories
Related news
- Overview
Since 1969, the Pennsylvania Water Science Center has had a cooperative program with Chester County to measure and describe water resources. 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.
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.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Visit Media to see details.USGS scientist tests groundwater samples for water quality. (Laura Hallberg, USGS) 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.
- Science
Related Science
Paired Air and Water Temperature Monitoring for Next Generation Water Observing System
USGS characterizes the relationship between a stream's water temperature and the surrounding air temperature to understand the influence groundwater flow into and out of the stream has on that relationship.Next Generation Water Observing System: Delaware River Basin
The USGS Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) provides high-fidelity, real-time data on water quantity and quality necessary to support modern water prediction and decision support systems for water emergencies and daily water operations. The Delaware River Basin was the first NGWOS basin, providing an opportunity to implement the program in a nationally important, complex interstate...Delaware River Basin
In Pennsylvania, the USGS's water-resources roots date back to the late 1800's, with the initiation of streamflow gaging on the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers and assessments of groundwater resources near Philadelphia. The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center continues to provide scientific information about the water resources of the Delaware River Basin, in cooperation with regional and local...Pre-2013 Bibliography of USGS publications - Chester County, Pennsylvania (Archive)
This is an Archive. A bibliography of USGS publications for Chester County, Pennsylvania, Pre-2013. Pre-2013 Publications available from the USGS Publications Warehouse are on the "Publications" tab. Other publications listed below are not, or in some cases are only partially available at the Publications Warehouse. - Data
Datasets
Per-and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) and associated ancillary data from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA, 2019
The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center (USGS PAWSC) in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) has assembled this data release in support of ongoing USGS and PADEP evaluations related to the occurrence and distribution of Per-and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) within Pennsylvania surface water. The data is of four general types: Discrete samData for regression models developed to estimate fecal coliform concentrations at five stream sites, Chester County, Pennsylvania (2017)
This data release supports the following publication: Senior, Lisa A., 2017, Estimated Fecal Coliform Bacteria Concentrations Using Near Real-Time Water-Quality and Streamflow Data From Five Stream Sites in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 200716: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific-Investigations Report 20175075 (https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175075). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation w - Maps
Maps
Bathymetry and capacity of Chambers Lake, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Introduction Chambers Lake is a manmade reservoir on Birch Run, a tributary to West Branch Brandywine Creek in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The lake was created in 1994 after the completion of Multi-Purpose Dam PA-436F (Hibernia Dam), which was built under the Watershed Protection & Flood Control Prevention Act (U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 1991). Hibernia dam is 1,700 feet upstream from the cAltitude and configuration of the potentiometric surface in the Lower White Clay Creek and Upper Christina River Basins including portions of Franklin, London Britain, New Garden, and New London Townships, Chester County, Pennsylvania, June through Septem
Since 1984, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been mapping the altitude and configuration of the potentiometric surface in Chester County as part of an ongoing cooperative program to measure and describe the water resources of the county. Areas where the potentiometric surface has been mapped are shown on figure 1. These maps can be used to determine the general direction of ground-water floAltitude and configuration of the potentiometric surface in East Nottingham and West Nottingham Townships, Chester County, Pennsylvania, April through June 2004
Since 1984, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been mapping the altitude and configuration of the potentiometric surface in Chester County as part of an ongoing cooperative program to measure and describe the water resources of the county. Areas where the potentiometric surface has been mapped are shown on figure 1. These maps can be used to determine the general direction of ground-water floAeromagnetic map of the Wagontown quadrangle, Chester County, Pennsylvania
No abstract available.Aeromagnetic map of part of the Coatesville quadrangle, Chester County, Pennsylvania
No abstract available.Aeromagnetic map of the Downingtown quadrangle, Chester County, Pennsylvania
No abstract available.Aeromagnetic map of the Malvern quadrangle, Chester County, Pennsylvania
No abstract available. - Multimedia
- Publications
Publications
Also see our archived pre-2013 bibliography on the 'Science' tab.
Estimated fecal coliform bacteria concentrations using near real-time continuous water-quality and streamflow data from five stream sites in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 2007–16
Several streams used for recreational activities, such as fishing, swimming, and boating, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, are known to have periodic elevated concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria, a type of bacteria used to indicate the potential presence of fecally related pathogens that may pose health risks to humans exposed through water contact. The availability of near real-time continuAuthorsLisa A. SeniorFilter Total Items: 64Evaluation of long-term trends in hydrologic and water-quality conditions, and estimation of water budgets through 2013, Chester County, Pennsylvania
An evaluation of trends in hydrologic and water quality conditions and estimation of water budgets through 2013 was done by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Chester County Water Resources Authority. Long-term hydrologic, meteorologic, and biologic data collected in Chester County, Pennsylvania, which included streamflow, groundwater levels, surface-water quality, biotic integrityAuthorsRonald A. Sloto, Andrew G. ReifMineralogy and environmental geochemistry of historical iron slag, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Pennsylvania, USA
The Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in southeastern Pennsylvania, which features an Fe smelter that was operational in the 18th and 19th centuries, is dominated by three slag piles. Pile 1 slag, from the Hopewell Furnace, and pile 2 slag, likely from the nearby Cornwall Furnace, were both produced in cold-blast charcoal-fired smelters. In contrast, pile 3 slag was produced in an anthraciteAuthorsNadine M. Piatak, Robert SealA benthic-macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity and assessment of conditions in selected streams in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1998-2009
The Stream Conditions of Chester County Biological Monitoring Network (Network) was established by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Chester County Water Resources Authority in 1969. Chester County encompasses 760 square miles in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rapidly expanding population. Land-use change has occurred in response to this continual growth, as open space, agricultural lands, aAuthorsAndrew G. ReifTrace metals related to historical iron smelting at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Berks and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania
Iron ore containing elevated concentrations of trace metals was smelted at Hopewell Furnace during its 113 years of operation (1771-1883). The ore used at Hopewell Furnace was obtained from iron mines within 5 miles of the furnace. The iron-ore deposits were formed about 200 million years ago and contain abundant magnetite, the primary iron mineral, and accessory minerals enriched in arsenic, cobaAuthorsRonald A. SlotoEstimated suspended-sediment loads and yields in the French and Brandywine Creek Basins, Chester County, Pennsylvania, water years 2008-09
Turbidity and suspended-sediment concentration data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at four stream stations--French Creek near Phoenixville, West Branch Brandywine Creek near Honey Brook, West Branch Brandywine Creek at Modena, and East Branch Brandywine Creek below Downingtown--in Chester County, Pa. Sedimentation and siltation is the leading cause of stream impairment in ChesAuthorsRonald A. Sloto, Leif E. OlsonDistribution of trace metals at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Berks and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania
Hopewell Furnace, located approximately 50 miles northwest of Philadelphia, was a cold-blast, charcoal iron furnace that operated for 113 years (1771 to 1883). The purpose of this study by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, was to determine the distribution of trace metals released to the environment from an historical iron smelter at Hopewell Furnace NationAuthorsRonald A. Sloto, Andrew G. ReifPathogenic bacteria and microbial-source tracking markers in Brandywine Creek Basin, Pennsylvania and Delaware, 2009-10
The City of Wilmington, Delaware, is in the downstream part of the Brandywine Creek Basin, on the main stem of Brandywine Creek. Wilmington uses this stream, which drains a mixed-land-use area upstream, for its main drinking-water supply. Because the stream is used for drinking water, Wilmington is in need of information about the occurrence and distribution of specific fecally derived pathogenicAuthorsJoseph W. Duris, Andrew G. Reif, Leif E. Olson, Heather E. JohnsonGroundwater-quality monitoring program in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1980-2008
The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Chester County Water Resources Authority and the Chester County Health Department began a groundwater-quality monitoring program in 1980 in Chester County, Pa., where a large percentage of the population relies on wells for drinking-water supply. This report documents the program and serves as a reference for data collected through the program froAuthorsLisa A. Senior, Ronald A. SlotoPhysical and Vegetative Characteristics of a Newly Constructed Wetland and Modified Stream Reach, Tredyffrin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 2000-2006
To compensate for authorized disturbance of naturally occurring wetlands and streams during roadway improvements to U.S. Highway 202 in Chester and Montgomery Counties, Pa., the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) constructed 0.42 acre of emergent wetland and 0.94 acre of scrub-shrub/forested wetland and modified sections of a 1,600-foot reach of Valley Creek with woody riparian plAuthorsJeffrey J. Chaplin, Kirk E. White, Leif E. OlsonDrought-trigger ground-water levels in Chester County, Pennsylvania, for the period of record ending May 2006
This report presents the results of a study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA), to update the drought-trigger water levels for the Chester County observation-well network. The Chester County observation-well network was established in 1973 through a cooperative agreement between the CCWRA and the USGS to monitor local grouAuthorsPeter J. CinottoEffect of on-site wastewater disposal on quality of ground water and base flow: A pilot study in Chester County, southeastern Pennsylvania, 2005
On-site wastewater disposal has the potential to introduce contaminants into ground water and subsequently, by ground-water discharge, to streams. A pilot study was conducted during 2005 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Chester County Health Department and the Chester County Water Resources Authority to determine if wastewater components, including inorganic constituents and sAuthorsLisa A. Senior, Peter J. CinottoDevelopment of regional curves relating bankfull-channel geometry and discharge to drainage area for streams in Pennsylvania and selected areas of Maryland
Natural-stream designs are commonly based on the dimensions of the bankfull channel, which is capable of conveying discharges that transport sediment without excessive erosion or deposition. Regional curves relate bankfull-channel geometry and discharge to drainage area in watersheds with similar runoff characteristics and commonly are utilized by practitioners of natural-stream design to confirmAuthorsJeffrey J. Chaplin - Web Tools
Web Tools
Chester County (Pennsylvania) Monitoring Networks
Since 1969, the Pennsylvania Water Science Center has had a cooperative program with Chester County to measure and describe water resources. Cooperation has been primarily with the Chester County Water Resources Authority, with participation from the Chester County Health Department.
The Chester County Monitoring Network web tool provides near real-time water data.
GBIF-US
Species observations for the United States and Territories
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