Limnological data for the major streams in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Abstract

Limnological data on major streams in Chester County, Pennsylvania are tabulated to provide a base line as to the present stream conditions. As land-use patterns change and further urbanization takes place, it is anticipated that these data will serve as a basis for comparison of conditions in the future. The 13 basins encompass a total drainage area of 1,812 km2 (697 mi2) of the 1,976 km2 (760 mi2) within Chester County. Four of the streams are tributaries to the Schuylkill River and include Pickering, Stony Run, Pigeon, and French Creek. Tributaries to the Delaware River include Darby, Crum, Ridley, Chester, Red Clay, and White Clay Creeks. The Elk Creeks flow into the Chesapeake Bay. The Brandywine is a tributary to the Christiana River, itself a tributary to the Delaware. The Octoraro Creek is a tributary to the Susquehanna River. Chester County, which is located in the Piedmont area of Pennsylvania, is undergoing rapid transition from a rural to suburban condition as the population increases. This basic-data report contains the chemical, physical, and biological information collected for the period fall 1969 through fall 1974. The network of 50 stations is shown in figure 1, which is followed by a listing (table 1) of station numbers and a brief description of station locations. Table 2 shows the physical, chemical, and bacteriological data collected by station and date. Table 3 shows the benthic invertebrate data collected by station and date.