The Delaware River is rich in history, ecologically diverse, and critical to the regional economy. Water managers in this basin have a long history of applying innovative, regional solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of this treasured resource which provides drinking water to over 15 million people in the region.
Pennsylvania and the Delaware River Basin
Active
By Pennsylvania Water Science Center
March 12, 2021
Testing New Water Quality Monitoring Methods in Philadelphia
USGS demonstrates advanced technologies during a stream gage visit
USGS demonstrates advanced technologies during a stream gage visit
Paired Air and Water Temperature Monitoring
Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS)
Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS)
Hurricane Henri Water Footprint Data Visualization
As precipitation accumulated over DE, PA, NJ, NY, CT, RI, and MA, stream water levels increased above flood stage in several locations.
As precipitation accumulated over DE, PA, NJ, NY, CT, RI, and MA, stream water levels increased above flood stage in several locations.
Balancing Water Availability and Quality in the Delaware River Basin
New data visualization story show how new USGS science and monitoring can inform water management
New data visualization story show how new USGS science and monitoring can inform water management
Philadelphia Water Resources Monitoring
Real-time water quality information from USGS streamgaging sites in and around the City of Philadelphia
Real-time water quality information from USGS streamgaging sites in and around the City of Philadelphia
Philadelphia Area Groundwater Level Network
Latest water levels in Philadelphia area aquifers via Pennsylvania Groundwater Watch
Latest water levels in Philadelphia area aquifers via Pennsylvania Groundwater Watch
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 agencies and stakeholders, and with other USGS Water Science Centers and national programs.
Recent Highlights
- Factsheet - Integrated Water Science Basins: Water Priorities for the Nation
- Publication: Hydro-Climatic Drought
- Publication: Low-flow Patterns, Drivers & Trends
- Factsheet - Integrated Water Availability Assessments: Water Priorities for the Nation
- Next Generation Water Observing System: Delaware River Basin
- Pooling Resources Across Organizations—Multisource Water-Quality Data for the Delaware River Basin
- Online tools for watershed managers: Northeast US
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
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...
Filter Total Items: 16
Floodplains provide millions of dollars in benefits every year to people in the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds
Issue: Floodplains provide important services to people by retaining sediments, nutrients, and floodwaters, thereby improving water quality and reducing flooding impacts. Having information on how the monetary benefit that floodplains provide varies across the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds helps resource managers describe the benefits that floodplains provide in their current state...
Regional Water Availability Assessment: Delaware River Basin
Regional Water Availability Assessments are scientific assessments of water availability in different hydrologic regions across the Nation. In the Delaware River Basin, the USGS will conduct a focused assessment of increasing freshwater salinity and an integrated and comprehensive assessment of multiple water quantity, quality and use factors.
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.
Delaware River Basin IWAAs Pilot
The USGS is conducting a pilot study in the Delaware River Basin to support development of National and Regional Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs). The Delaware River Basin Pilot will be conducted with state and local partners with the support of USGS Cooperative Program Matching Funds and will focus on improving the data, tools, and information stakeholders need to make water...
Streamflow Estimation from Advanced Imaging (LSPIV) in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Water Science Center and the Next Generation Water Observing Systems (NGWOS) Program are implementing new technologies for streamflow estimation at sites in Pennsylvania where conventional measurement techniques are inadequate.
Office of the Delaware River Master
In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a Decree in State of New Jersey v. State of New York and City of New York in which the Court established the position of the Delaware River Master.
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study
As one of several National Focus Area Studies within the USGS National Water Census (NWC) , the USGS completed a 3-year study of water availability and use in the Delaware River Basin.
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Process-Based Streamflow Modeling
The Water Availability Tool for Environmental Resources provides a decision support system to examine different land-cover forecasts and climate projections using physical aspects of the basin that will remain unchanged, like topography and soil properties, to estimate streamflow for ungaged streams.
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Statistical Streamflow Modeling
The Delaware River Basin Streamflow Estimator Tool (DRB-SET) uses historical records of streamflow to estimate daily mean streamflow at any stream location within the Delaware River Basin for the period 1960-2010, incorporating basin characteristics such as drainage size, soil, geology, and seasonal precipitation.
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Water Use
Water-use data were compiled or estimated for 8-digit and 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Code watersheds for 2010. Water withdrawal, interbasin transfers, return flow, and hydroelectric power generation release data were compiled for 11 water-use categories.
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Ecological Flow Science
The Riverine Environmental Flow Decision Support System (REFDSS), models of river temperature, and evaluation of methods of determining Habitat Suitability Criteria were all products of the ecological-flow science component of the Delaware Focus Area Study.
Quantifying Floodplain Ecological Processes and Ecosystem Services in the Delaware River Watershed
Floodplain and wetland areas provide critical ecosystem services to local and downstream communities by retaining sediments, nutrients, and floodwaters. The loss of floodplain functionality due to land use conversion and degradation reduces the provisioning of these services. Assessing, quantifying, and valuing floodplain ecosystem services provide a framework to estimate how floodplain systems...
Fairmount Waterworks, east bank of Schuylkill River, Philadelphia, PA
Fairmount Waterworks, east bank of Schuylkill River, Aquarium Drive, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. View looking northeast at waterworks from across Schuylkill River. Photo taken December, 1984.
Field Trip with PAWSC staff to a Delaware River NGWOS station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Delaware River is rich in history, ecologically diverse, and critical to the regional economy. Water managers in this basin have a long history of applying innovative, regional solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of this treasured resource which provides drinking water to over 15 million people in the region.
Distributions: Hazards - Flooding in Norristown, PA during Hurricane Ida September 2021
A 3D aerial view of Norristown, Pennsylvania shows where the Schuylkill River passes through the city. The water in the river is shown in bright blue, while the surrounding city is shown in natural color.
A 3D aerial view of Norristown, Pennsylvania shows where the Schuylkill River passes through the city. The water in the river is shown in bright blue, while the surrounding city is shown in natural color.
The Rise and Fall of the Delaware Salt Front
The rise and fall of the Delaware River salt front. Over time, the location of the salt front moves in response to regional weather patterns, sea level rise, and human impacts. The precise location of the salt front in the Delaware River Basin is based on the location in the river where the average chloride concentration is 250 mg/L.
The rise and fall of the Delaware River salt front. Over time, the location of the salt front moves in response to regional weather patterns, sea level rise, and human impacts. The precise location of the salt front in the Delaware River Basin is based on the location in the river where the average chloride concentration is 250 mg/L.
Land Cover Change in the Delaware River Basin
Land cover is animated through time in the Delaware River Basin. The visual shows a map and chart reflecting the proportion of land area in 8 major land cover classes: water, agriculture, barren, forest, grassland, wetland and developed areas (low and high intensity). Time is broken into 10 year intervals.
Land cover is animated through time in the Delaware River Basin. The visual shows a map and chart reflecting the proportion of land area in 8 major land cover classes: water, agriculture, barren, forest, grassland, wetland and developed areas (low and high intensity). Time is broken into 10 year intervals.
Photo of a camera system that will be tested to measure water level an
Example of a camera system that will be tested to measure water level and surface velocity at the East Branch Brandywine Creek below Downingtown, PA.
Example of a camera system that will be tested to measure water level and surface velocity at the East Branch Brandywine Creek below Downingtown, PA.
The Ben Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River.
The Ben Franklin Bridge stretches over the Delaware River. The Delaware River Basin provides water to big cities such as New York and Philadelphia.
The Ben Franklin Bridge stretches over the Delaware River. The Delaware River Basin provides water to big cities such as New York and Philadelphia.
Water budget visualization for Buck Creek-Delaware River
Example water budget visualization for Buck Creek-Delaware River showing the difference between inflow and outflow components. Full visualization application is located at https://cida.usgs.gov/nwc-static/waterbudget-viz/
Example water budget visualization for Buck Creek-Delaware River showing the difference between inflow and outflow components. Full visualization application is located at https://cida.usgs.gov/nwc-static/waterbudget-viz/
Map of the Delaware River Basin
Map of the Delaware River Basin
Map of the 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 agencies and stakeholders, and with other USGS Water Science Centers and national programs.
Recent Highlights
- Factsheet - Integrated Water Science Basins: Water Priorities for the Nation
- Publication: Hydro-Climatic Drought
- Publication: Low-flow Patterns, Drivers & Trends
- Factsheet - Integrated Water Availability Assessments: Water Priorities for the Nation
- Next Generation Water Observing System: Delaware River Basin
- Pooling Resources Across Organizations—Multisource Water-Quality Data for the Delaware River Basin
- Online tools for watershed managers: Northeast US
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
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...
Filter Total Items: 16
Floodplains provide millions of dollars in benefits every year to people in the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds
Issue: Floodplains provide important services to people by retaining sediments, nutrients, and floodwaters, thereby improving water quality and reducing flooding impacts. Having information on how the monetary benefit that floodplains provide varies across the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds helps resource managers describe the benefits that floodplains provide in their current state...
Regional Water Availability Assessment: Delaware River Basin
Regional Water Availability Assessments are scientific assessments of water availability in different hydrologic regions across the Nation. In the Delaware River Basin, the USGS will conduct a focused assessment of increasing freshwater salinity and an integrated and comprehensive assessment of multiple water quantity, quality and use factors.
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.
Delaware River Basin IWAAs Pilot
The USGS is conducting a pilot study in the Delaware River Basin to support development of National and Regional Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs). The Delaware River Basin Pilot will be conducted with state and local partners with the support of USGS Cooperative Program Matching Funds and will focus on improving the data, tools, and information stakeholders need to make water...
Streamflow Estimation from Advanced Imaging (LSPIV) in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Water Science Center and the Next Generation Water Observing Systems (NGWOS) Program are implementing new technologies for streamflow estimation at sites in Pennsylvania where conventional measurement techniques are inadequate.
Office of the Delaware River Master
In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a Decree in State of New Jersey v. State of New York and City of New York in which the Court established the position of the Delaware River Master.
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study
As one of several National Focus Area Studies within the USGS National Water Census (NWC) , the USGS completed a 3-year study of water availability and use in the Delaware River Basin.
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Process-Based Streamflow Modeling
The Water Availability Tool for Environmental Resources provides a decision support system to examine different land-cover forecasts and climate projections using physical aspects of the basin that will remain unchanged, like topography and soil properties, to estimate streamflow for ungaged streams.
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Statistical Streamflow Modeling
The Delaware River Basin Streamflow Estimator Tool (DRB-SET) uses historical records of streamflow to estimate daily mean streamflow at any stream location within the Delaware River Basin for the period 1960-2010, incorporating basin characteristics such as drainage size, soil, geology, and seasonal precipitation.
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Water Use
Water-use data were compiled or estimated for 8-digit and 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Code watersheds for 2010. Water withdrawal, interbasin transfers, return flow, and hydroelectric power generation release data were compiled for 11 water-use categories.
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Ecological Flow Science
The Riverine Environmental Flow Decision Support System (REFDSS), models of river temperature, and evaluation of methods of determining Habitat Suitability Criteria were all products of the ecological-flow science component of the Delaware Focus Area Study.
Quantifying Floodplain Ecological Processes and Ecosystem Services in the Delaware River Watershed
Floodplain and wetland areas provide critical ecosystem services to local and downstream communities by retaining sediments, nutrients, and floodwaters. The loss of floodplain functionality due to land use conversion and degradation reduces the provisioning of these services. Assessing, quantifying, and valuing floodplain ecosystem services provide a framework to estimate how floodplain systems...
Fairmount Waterworks, east bank of Schuylkill River, Philadelphia, PA
Fairmount Waterworks, east bank of Schuylkill River, Aquarium Drive, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. View looking northeast at waterworks from across Schuylkill River. Photo taken December, 1984.
Field Trip with PAWSC staff to a Delaware River NGWOS station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Delaware River is rich in history, ecologically diverse, and critical to the regional economy. Water managers in this basin have a long history of applying innovative, regional solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of this treasured resource which provides drinking water to over 15 million people in the region.
The Delaware River is rich in history, ecologically diverse, and critical to the regional economy. Water managers in this basin have a long history of applying innovative, regional solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of this treasured resource which provides drinking water to over 15 million people in the region.
Distributions: Hazards - Flooding in Norristown, PA during Hurricane Ida September 2021
A 3D aerial view of Norristown, Pennsylvania shows where the Schuylkill River passes through the city. The water in the river is shown in bright blue, while the surrounding city is shown in natural color.
A 3D aerial view of Norristown, Pennsylvania shows where the Schuylkill River passes through the city. The water in the river is shown in bright blue, while the surrounding city is shown in natural color.
The Rise and Fall of the Delaware Salt Front
The rise and fall of the Delaware River salt front. Over time, the location of the salt front moves in response to regional weather patterns, sea level rise, and human impacts. The precise location of the salt front in the Delaware River Basin is based on the location in the river where the average chloride concentration is 250 mg/L.
The rise and fall of the Delaware River salt front. Over time, the location of the salt front moves in response to regional weather patterns, sea level rise, and human impacts. The precise location of the salt front in the Delaware River Basin is based on the location in the river where the average chloride concentration is 250 mg/L.
Land Cover Change in the Delaware River Basin
Land cover is animated through time in the Delaware River Basin. The visual shows a map and chart reflecting the proportion of land area in 8 major land cover classes: water, agriculture, barren, forest, grassland, wetland and developed areas (low and high intensity). Time is broken into 10 year intervals.
Land cover is animated through time in the Delaware River Basin. The visual shows a map and chart reflecting the proportion of land area in 8 major land cover classes: water, agriculture, barren, forest, grassland, wetland and developed areas (low and high intensity). Time is broken into 10 year intervals.
Photo of a camera system that will be tested to measure water level an
Example of a camera system that will be tested to measure water level and surface velocity at the East Branch Brandywine Creek below Downingtown, PA.
Example of a camera system that will be tested to measure water level and surface velocity at the East Branch Brandywine Creek below Downingtown, PA.
The Ben Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River.
The Ben Franklin Bridge stretches over the Delaware River. The Delaware River Basin provides water to big cities such as New York and Philadelphia.
The Ben Franklin Bridge stretches over the Delaware River. The Delaware River Basin provides water to big cities such as New York and Philadelphia.
Water budget visualization for Buck Creek-Delaware River
Example water budget visualization for Buck Creek-Delaware River showing the difference between inflow and outflow components. Full visualization application is located at https://cida.usgs.gov/nwc-static/waterbudget-viz/
Example water budget visualization for Buck Creek-Delaware River showing the difference between inflow and outflow components. Full visualization application is located at https://cida.usgs.gov/nwc-static/waterbudget-viz/
Map of the Delaware River Basin
Map of the Delaware River Basin
Map of the Delaware River Basin