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The Lower Darby Creek Area encompasses a unique blend of residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and critical regional infrastructure, including the Philadelphia International Airport, Interstate 95, and portions of the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Despite its urban setting, the area supports diverse wetlands, waterways, and wildlife habitats that play an essential role in regional flood protection, resiliency, and ecological connectivity.
Flooding and habitat loss have long challenged the Lower Darby Creek Area, particularly in the communities of Eastwick in southwest Philadelphia and Tinicum Township of Delaware County, PA. Residents in these neighborhoods experience extreme flooding during storm and high tide events, and community groups have been leading local efforts to enhance resilience and reduce flood risk. The increasing effects of climate change, such as more intense storms, sea level rise, and frequent tidal flooding, are compounding challenges.
To help address these challenges, The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania (TNC) and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge have commissioned Princeton Hydro to lead a two-year Urban Flood and Habitat Resilience Feasibility Study for the Lower Darby Creek Area. The study aims to identify and evaluate nature-based solutions that would help to convey, store, and infiltrate water to alleviate flooding, improve habitat for local wildlife species, and enhance community resilience.
For this feasibility study, Princeton Hydro is combining field data collection, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and alternatives analysis to determine the most effective nature-based solutions that benefit both nature and people. These may include wetland creation or enhancement, stream and floodplain reconnection, and stormwater management retrofits designed to restore natural hydrologic function.
Community engagement is a cornerstone of the Feasibility Study, ensuring that local voices help shape the region’s path toward long-term resilience. The project work began with a series of community meetings to learn from residents about the impacts of flooding and the changes they want to see in their neighborhoods. The outcome of this project will be a list of 6-10 nature-based solutions that have been prioritized by community members and that have been analyzed for feasibility and potential for flood reduction and ecological benefit. This information will be presented in a Project Roadmap for the co-developed pathway to achieve community and ecological resilience through project implementation. This guidance will empower partners and communities to secure funding, implement pilot projects, and advance long-term resilience goals.
Once the study is complete, Princeton Hydro will create an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap webpage that will allow users to take a deeper dive into the study’s findings and interact with the data. Users will be able to visualize flood scenarios and potential restoration opportunities and learn more about specific project activities and the proposed solutions.
Earlier this year, project partners joined residents for Eastwick Community Day, a vibrant event celebrating neighborhood connections, local leadership, and climate resilience. Hosted by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability, the event was supported by representatives from The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, and Princeton Hydro, including Director of Restoration & Resilience Christiana Pollack, CERP, CFM, GISP and Director of Aquatics Mike Hartshorne.
The gathering offered residents an opportunity to meet the organizations involved in the flood study, learn about available climate resilience resources, and share their own experiences and priorities. Alongside informational displays and project updates, attendees enjoyed a picnic lunch, family activities, and hands-on learning about nature-based solutions. It was a day that captured the spirit of collaboration driving this initiative.
Check out some highlights from the day, captured by Kim Hachadoorian, Stream Stewards Project Manager for The Nature Conservancy:
The Lower Darby Creek initiative builds on Princeton Hydro’s earlier Eastwick Flood Resilience Study, expanding from a neighborhood-focused analysis to a watershed-scale approach. In 2016, in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Keystone Conservation Trust, Audubon Pennsylvania, and the William Penn Foundation, Princeton Hydro conducted an analysis of Eastwick, the flood impacts created by the Lower Darby Creek, and the viability of several potential flood mitigation strategies. The study sought to answer questions commonly asked by community members related to flooding conditions, with the main question being: What impact does the landfill have on area flooding? Princeton Hydro developed a 2-D hydrologic and hydraulic model to understand how varying restoration techniques, including removal of the Clearview Landfill, expansion of the existing tidal freshwater wetland, removal of bridge infrastructure, and rerouting storm flows, would alter flooding in the Eastwick neighborhood.
Findings from that study provided key data and analytical frameworks that now inform the Lower Darby Creek Area Feasibility Study. Expanding beyond the boundaries of Eastwick, the comprehensive Lower Darby Creek Area study takes a watershed-scale view, exploring how interconnected systems, including upstream hydrology, tidal influences, and habitat networks, can be managed holistically.
Resilience is not achieved in isolation; it thrives through collaboration. The success of the Lower Darby Creek Area Feasibility Study and related restoration projects depends on a network of partners committed to shared goals. By aligning expertise, resources, and local knowledge, these partnerships create a foundation for long-term climate adaptation and ecological health. To learn more about the Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania, click here. To learn more about the City of Philadelphia Office of Sustainability Flood Resilience Strategy for Eastwick, go here. And, click here to learn more about the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Tinicum.
Princeton Hydro is also collaborating with the Refuge to restore the Refuge’s Turkey Foot area. Working with Enviroscapes and Merestone Consultants, our team designed and implemented habitat enhancement and hydrologic restoration projects to improve water quality, restore native wetland vegetation, and expand habitat for fish and wildlife. If you’re interested in learning more about this project, check out our blog: Ecological Restoration in John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.
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