Delaware County Acquires 70 Flood Gauges to Improve Safety and Flood Resilience
Gauges will track data and have the capability to provide early warning detection for communities
Media, PA — Delaware County recently acquired 70 flood gauges that will improve the response to flooding, track data, and can provide early warning detection for communities across Delco.
“The data from these flood gauges will be used by our Department of Emergency Services to monitor flood events and by the Planning Department for stormwater management planning efforts,” said Delaware County Planning Director Gina Burritt.
Gauge data will also be shared with municipalities and residents, with a public access portal to be revealed after installation. Gauges will be placed in locations recommended by the Delaware County Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan and will be critical in helping with the methodology of the plan.
“I want to thank the Planning Department for their hard work in making this a reality to combat flooding across our county,” said Delaware County Council member Joanne Phillips. “The need for these devices is critical and we’re only going to need them more in the future.”
The flood gauges were acquired using $332,119 of state and federal grants, investing tax dollars paid by Delco residents back into the community to keep Delaware County safe. $107,845 was earned from Community Development Block Grants from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, with another $224,274 coming from state Local Share Account grants secured by State Representative Gina Curry and other members of the Delco Delegation in Harrisburg.
The first batch of flood gauges will be installed on county property, with Delaware County Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan consultant Jacobs Engineering providing installation location guidance. Installation will cost $95,000, with the money coming from the amended capital budget passed at Wednesday’s Delaware County Council meeting. The county will be putting out a Request For Proposal for a contractor to install the first batch soon.
The flood gauges may eventually be able to provide early warning detection to combat flooding throughout the county, although this capability is still being developed.
In conjunction with the Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan, the Delaware County Planning Department has identified 230 flood problem areas, with 130 targeted as high priority. Planning staff have conducted nearly 200 field visits and made recommendations for each area.
View more information about the Delaware County Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan.
