Courtesy of Broadkill Tributary Action Team

WATERSHED ASSESSMENT PLANS: BROADKILL RIVER AND ST. JONES RIVER
SUSSEX AND KENT COUNTIES, DELAWARE
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Duffield Associates was selected to prepare watershed plans for the St. Jones (Kent County) and Broadkill (Sussex County) Rivers. The purpose of the plans was to characterize the watersheds, identify potential sources/ types/ location of impairments, and to make recommendations for potential restoration/improvement opportunities. The focus of these watershed plans is protection and restoration of water quality and associated natural resources. The overall objective was to assess the watershed, identify target areas for retrofit, restoration and conservation, develop watershed management plans to guide the implementation of pollution control strategies, and recommend demonstration projects.

The watershed assessment process established baseline conditions which involved analyzing existing monitoring data and past study results, compiling land use and other geospatial data, evaluating local programs, ordinances, and development patterns, and meeting with stakeholders to solicit input. Reconnaissance and field assessment of the watersheds, including both stream and upland areas, was performed. Duffield Associates utilized Community Viz software to assess the impacts of build out in the watersheds.

Restoration/enhancement/preservation opportunities were identified in the following major categories:

• Stream/Riparian Buffers/Floodplains;
• Wetlands;
• Agricultural Best Management Practices;
• Urban Stormwater Retrofits;
• Urban Sub-watershed Site Reconnaissance; and
• Conservation Easements or Acquisitions.

A goal of this project was to identify and prioritize potential restoration / preservation / improvement projects within the respective watersheds for implementation by DNREC and others. In addition, projects that may be eligible for 319b funds were identified for DNREC's use in submitting grant applications.

An important component of the watershed plan was coordination with stakeholders (those groups primarily associated with the Tributary Action Teams (TATs) and project partners. DNREC has a goal of including stakeholders, when possible, in developing strategy, identifying data sources, participating in data collection, and concurring on the implementation strategy.