Official websites use .mil
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
The Eastwick study area is in southwest Philadelphia along the confluence of Darby and Cobbs Creeks, west of the Schuylkill River, and north of the Delaware River and Philadelphia International Airport. Eastwick is primarily composed of residential and commercial establishments while the adjacent area to the south and east is explicitly comprised of industrial and commercial establishments. Eastwick is experiencing increases in the frequency, duration, and intensity of riverine and marsh flooding during storm events including hurricanes and major nor'easters.
The authority for this project is Section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948 (Public Law 80-858), as amended. Under this authority, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is authorized to plan, design, and construct small flood risk management projects. Each project is limited to a Federal cost of not more than $10 million, including all project related costs for feasibility studies, planning, engineering, design, and construction. The feasibility study will evaluate an array of alternatives to reduce flood risk in the area.
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study involves assessing problems and opportunities related to water resources issues, coming up with alternative solutions to address those problems, comparing those solutions and, ultimately developing a recommendation. Some studies result in a "no federal action" recommendation. Others result in a recommendation for implementation.
Throughout the study, the team conducts environmental, economic, and engineering analyses to compare alternatives. The Army Corps compares the cost to implement specific alternatives with the benefits (in the case of flood risk management, this means reduced flood damages) if the alternative is implemented. Additionally, the team evaluates if the alternatives are technically feasible from an engineering, environmental, and social standpoint. The final product, a feasibility study report, presents science-based decisions and the reasons that led to those decisions.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement with the Philadelphia Water Department in May of 2019. Much of the study work conducted to date includes documenting existing conditions and flooding-related problems, and consideration of various flood risk management measures. Several measures have been ruled out including structure elevation and floodwalls due to various technical reasons. The following measures/alternatives are still under consideration:
Next steps for the study include conducting economic, engineering, and environmental analyses to compare and evaluate the alternatives. The study team estimates identifying a Tentatively Selected Plan in 2023. This will be followed by the release of a draft report and a formal public comment period.
Several related efforts conducted by the Philadelphia Water Department and USACE have informed and led to the current ongoing study:
A levee is an earthen (soil) embankment built to keep water from a creek or river from flowing out of its bank and flooding a given area. It does not eliminate flooding from all sources.
Comments are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the study process. Additionally, there will be a specific comment period after the release of the draft report.
By email: PDPA-NAP@usace.army.mil