The Brandywine Conservancy in Chadds Ford has released a flood study outlining mitigation strategies that have been designed to lessen the impact of future natural disasters, such as Hurricane Ida, which caused widespread damage in the region, writes Jen Samuel for The Daily Local News.
“Anywhere there is water, there is the potential for flooding,” said Grant DeCosta, director of the Brandywine Conservancy. “Even with unlimited financial and technological resources, it would be impossible to eliminate all flood risks.”
But despite those limitations, the partners behind the $374,500 study “are confident that implementation of the structural and non-structural recommendations laid out in this report can meaningfully reduce future flood risks to communities throughout the Brandywine watershed, and – most importantly – help prevent future loss of life,” he added.
During Hurricane Ida, flood waters over 21 feet high inundated the Brandywine Conservancy, resulting in more than $10 million in structural and equipment damage.
The Brandywine Flood Study outlines several ways to reduce future flooding, including rehabilitating Barneston Dam along the East Branch of Brandywine Creek. Other ways involve replacing, rehabilitating, or removing select bridges, restoring floodplains to allow streams to expand naturally, and implementing stormwater reduction measures.
Read more about the flood study results at the Brandywine Conservancy in The Daily Local News.
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