103-624: Haverford Township is a home rule municipality township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania , United States. Haverford is named after the town of Haverfordwest in Wales. It is a commuting suburb located due west of Philadelphia and is officially known as the Township of Haverford . Despite being under a home rule charter since 1977, it continues to operate under a Board of Commissioners divided into wards, as do "First Class" townships that are still under
206-404: A female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. The average average family size was 3.2. The age distribution was 24.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. According to the 2022 American Community Survey, the median income for
309-428: A few miles, passing by Philadelphia, Folcroft, Norwood, Prospect Park, Tinicum Township, and Ridley Township and receives the tributary Muckinipattis Creek from the right. Darby Creek winds through a large lagoon 30 ft deep in places that was dredged in the 1960s. The creek then receives Stony Creek, its last named tributary, from the right and turns south for a few tenths of a mile before reaching its confluence with
412-585: A household in the township was $ 124,875, and the median income for a family was $ 161,860. The per capita income for the township was $ 58,471. About 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line . 62.5% of residents aged 25 years and older had a Bachelor's degree or higher. Most common first ancestries reported in Haverford township: Haverford Township is divided into smaller census designated places and neighborhoods. These reflect either historical designations or planned developments, including: The township
515-494: A low level of water quality . However, in some reaches of the watershed, especially the upper reaches, the streams in the watershed have a medium-low or even medium-high level of water quality. A Superfund site known as the Lower Darby Creek Superfund Site contaminates Darby Creek and impacts the creek's water quality. The creek is considered to be impaired for its lower 10.9 miles (17.5 km). The causes of
618-406: A mile. The creek then turns southeast for a few miles, passing through Newtown Township, Delaware County and entering Radnor Township, where it receives its first two named tributaries, Thomas Run and Little Darby Creek, from the right and left , respectively. The creek then turns south-southeast for several tenths of a mile before turning southeast for several more miles. In this reach, it receives
721-549: A narrow valley in its upper reaches and a tidal flat in its lower reaches. The creek is in the Piedmont Uplands and Atlantic Coastal Plain physiographic provinces. Major rock formations in the watershed include the Wissahickon Formation . Three small dams historically existed on the creek, but were removed in 2012. The watershed of the creek is largely developed, with roughly half a million people inhabiting it. Most of
824-716: A northwest-southeast alignment through the southern portion of the township. Finally, Pennsylvania Route 320 briefly crosses the western tip of the township along Sproul Road. SEPTA 's Norristown High Speed Line passes through Haverford Township along its route between 69th Street Transportation Center and Norristown Transportation Center and services the following stations within the township: Township Line Road , Penfield , Beechwood–Brookline , Wynnewood Road , Ardmore Junction , Ardmore Avenue , and Haverford . SEPTA provides Suburban Bus service to Haverford Township along routes 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 110 , 112 , 115 , 120 , 123 , and 126 , serving points of interest in
927-534: A reach of 2 miles (3.2 km). The creek's mouth is situated in the United States Geological Survey quadrangle of Bridgeport; however, its source located is in the quadrangle of Valley Forge. The creek also passes through the quadrangles of Lansdowne and Norristown. There are 31 municipalities in the watershed, of which 26 are in Delaware County. A large part of the watershed of Darby Creek
1030-580: A sawmill on this site, and in 1832 his son, William, built a gristmill close by. The sawmill remained in the family ownership for more than 125 years, and was, until its demolition, the oldest industry extant in Haverford Township. About 1800 grist and sawmills were built on the headwaters of Cobb's Creek by Peter Brown, and in 1810 Jonathan Miller built grist and sawmills at what is now the Juncture of Mill Road and Karakung Drive. Israel Whelen Sr., built
1133-578: A school until 1872. Today, known as the Federal School, the building still stands and serves as a window to history for Haverford Township children. Every fourth-grade student spends a day at the Federal School learning what it was like to be a student in 1797. Public school students living in Haverford Township attend schools in the School District of Haverford Township . The District currently has
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#17328522169001236-585: A stretch of the creek in 1910. In the early 1900s, the major industries in the watershed of Darby Creek included agriculture ; however, in modern times, agriculture is only carried out in a few small areas in the watershed's upper reaches. During this time period, railroads such as the Pennsylvania Railroad , the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington Railroad , and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad crossed
1339-410: A stretch of the creek that formerly hosted criminal activity was completed in 2018. There are many public parks that line Darby Creek, with some having large recreation areas with athletic fields for baseball, soccer, and football, and others containing woodlands and nature trails. There are a total of eight golf clubs bordering the creek, featuring some of the largest stretches of undeveloped land in
1442-517: A student enrollment of approximately 5,475, and, residents number over 49,000. There are seven schools in the District: Chatham Park, Chestnutwold, Coopertown, Lynnewood, and Manoa elementary schools, with grades kindergarten through 5; Haverford Middle School , with grades 6–8; and Haverford High School , with grades 9-12. Residents of Haverford Township benefit from a wide range of school supported services, including Adult Evening School;
1545-484: Is a "notable significance" site while the latter is an "exceptional significance" site, one of only four in Delaware County. The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is also in the vicinity of the creek and is an "exceptional significance" site. The Darby Creek Mouth Mudflat, which is a remnant tidal flat at the mouth of Darby Creek in Ridley Township and Tinicum Township, is inhabited by 14 "species of concern". At
1648-712: Is a mile-long trail that follows the creek in Haverford Township and is anchored by Merry Place, a park and nature area at its southern end. A multi-use trail along Darby Creek has been proposed. The trail would run from Garrett Road in Upper Darby Township to Pine Street in the borough of Darby . The trail was approved by the Delaware County Council in March 2017. A portion of this trail in Drexel Hill along
1751-520: Is approximately 26 miles (42 km) long. The watershed of the creek has an area of 77.2 square miles (200 km ). It has twelve named direct tributaries, including Cobbs Creek , Little Darby Creek , Ithan Creek , and Muckinipattis Creek . The creek has a low level of water quality for most of its length. The lower Darby Creek area was deemed a Superfund site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to contamination with dangerous chemicals from two landfills. Darby Creek flows through
1854-405: Is between 420 and 440 feet (130 and 130 m) above sea level. The gradient of the creek for its first 5.5 miles (8.9 km) is 36.4 feet (11.1 m) per 1 mile (1.6 km). For the next 10 miles (16 km), the gradient of the creek is 18 feet (5.5 m) per 1 mile (1.6 km). For the last 8.5 miles (13.7 km), the gradient is only a few feet per mile. The valley of Darby Creek
1957-640: Is between 45 and 50 inches (110 and 130 cm). Three soil associations exist in the Darby Creek watershed. The Neshaminy-Lehigh-Glenlg soil association is prevalent in the northwest part of the watershed. It consists of silty, well drained, gravelly, and deep soil that rests on gabbro and granodiorite bedrock. The Chester-Glenlg-Manor soil association is prevalent throughout the watershed except in its lower reaches. It consists of silty, channery, and shallow to deep soil that rests on brown schist and gneiss bedrock. The Urban Land-Wetbrook-Pitts soil association
2060-526: Is composed of mica schist . Metamorphic felsic gneiss and mafic gneiss formations are common in the northern parts of the watershed. The Bryn Mawr Formation and the Bridgeton Formation are also present and are unconsolidated deposits of rock that rest on top of the dense crystalline bedrock. Mica slate is present in Marple Township and was manufactured to form "Darby Creek scythe stones" in
2163-495: Is considerably narrower in its upper reaches, but widens out as it approaches the Delaware River. Numerous reaches of the creek have been armored with boulders or riprap . Upstream of the tributary Cobbs Creek, the stream's channel is sinuous and the creek flows through a narrow valley bordered by low, steep hills. From Cobbs Creek downstream to its mouth, the creek is in a tidal flat . The northern section of Darby Creek
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#17328522169002266-403: Is less than 0.01 milligrams per liter and the chloride concentration ranges from 26.2 to 33.6 milligrams per liter. The sulfate concentration ranges between 18.1 and 19.9 milligrams per liter. The silica concentration was twice measured to be 15.7 milligrams per liter. The elevation near the mouth of Darby Creek is 0 feet (0 m) above sea level . The elevation of the creek's source
2369-607: Is located in the vicinity of the creek. This site consists of two landfills . Major roads in the watershed include Interstate 95 and Interstate 476 . Darby Creek was entered into the Geographic Names Information System on August 2, 1979. Its identifier in the Geographic Names Information System is 1172928. According to the Geographic Names Information System, variant names include Church Creek and Derby River. The Lenni Lenape tribe
2472-413: Is located on developed land, with many suburbs of Philadelphia are in the watershed. The majority (61%) of the land use is considered residential, while 11% is undeveloped and 10% is open space. Of the remaining land, most of it is considered industrial, commercial, and institutional, with 2.45% classified as paved. Estimates for the population of the watershed range from 484,000 to 500,000. In general,
2575-410: Is navigable by canoe . The difficulty rating of the creek ranges from A to 2-. Edward Gertler's book Keystone Canoeing describes the scenery as being "poor to fair" in its upper reach and "poor to good in its lower reach"; however, it is only canoeable within a single day of heavy rain in from river mile 18 to river mile 7.2. It is canoeable at any time in its lower 7.2 miles. The Darby Creek Trail
2678-576: Is often referred to as the "Darby-Cobbs watershed" since its largest tributary, Cobbs Creek, drains a total area of 22.2 square miles (57 km ), or approximately one third of the Darby Creek watershed. The watershed is part of the Lower Delaware drainage basin. Neighboring major watersheds are Crum Creek to the west and the Schuylkill River to the east. The creek serves as the county line between Delaware County and Philadelphia County for
2781-446: Is one incorporated under its own unique charter, created pursuant to the state's home rule and optional plans law and approved by referendum. "Local governments without home rule can only act where specifically authorized by state law; home rule municipalities can act anywhere except where they are specifically limited by state law". Although many such municipalities have retained the word "Township" or "Borough" in their official names,
2884-506: Is ongoing. Local residents are supplied public drinking water and are not drinking groundwater from this location. The main stem of Darby Creek is designed as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery from its source to the Pennsylvania Route 3 bridge. From that point downstream to its mouth, the non-tidal portions of the creek's main stem are a Trout Stocked Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. Numerous fish species were observed in
2987-479: Is part of the Pennsylvania 5th congressional district , the 166th and the 163rd State House districts , and the 17th Pennsylvania State Senate District . A total of six men's Major Championships and 11 men's and women's US Amateur Championships, have been staged within Haverford Township. Bobby Jones completed his grand slam at Merion in 1930, and Ben Hogan made his comeback from a horrific car accident in
3090-741: Is prevalent in the southern part of the watershed. It consists of silty, sandy, and deep soil that rests on coastal sediments. Roughly 53% of the land in the Darby Creek watershed is classified as having slightly erodible soil. The watershed of Darby Creek has an area of 77.2 square miles (200 km ). A total of 6.5 square miles (17 km ) are in Chester County, 4.2 square miles (11 km ) are in Montgomery County, 60 square miles (160 km ) are in Delaware County, and 6.5 square miles (17 km ) are in Philadelphia. Darby Creek's watershed
3193-498: Is the I-476 Blue Route , which follows a north-south alignment along the western edge of the township, though the nearest exits are in adjacent townships. U.S. Route 1 follows Township Line Road along a southwest-northeast alignment along the township's southeastern border. U.S. Route 30 follows Lancaster Avenue on a west-east alignment across the northern tip of the township. Pennsylvania Route 3 follows West Chester Pike along
Haverford Township, Pennsylvania - Misplaced Pages Continue
3296-525: Is to preserve and improve the creek's watershed. It has approximately 100 members. In 2001, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed Lower Darby Creek Area on the National Priorities List due to contamination from the Folcroft and Clearview landfills. The waste disposal practices at these landfills contaminated the soil, groundwater and fish with hazardous chemicals. In 2011 and 2012,
3399-674: Is within the Piedmont Uplands physiographic province, while the southern section is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain province. The Piedmont Uplands section has generally old, hard upland rocks that eroded from the Appalachian Mountains . The rocks from the northern portion of the watershed date to the Precambrian Era and Lower Paleozoic Era. The rocks from the southern portion of the watershed are newer, dating from
3502-708: The District's Community Relations program received a "National Achievement Award" from the National School Public Relations Association. Haverford College is located within Haverford Township with a portion partially within Lower Merion Township , was the first College founded by the Society of Friends in the United States in 1833, has several historic structures on its 225-acre property. Of
3605-666: The 1934 , 1950 , 1971 , 1981 , and 2013 U.S. Open , and Llanerch Country Club hosted the 1958 PGA Championship . Haverford, along with Upper Darby , Cheltenham , Lower Merion together form as the major inner ring suburbs of Philadelphia . Haverford Township was laid out by William Penn as part of the Welsh Tract or Barony. In 1681, a representative group of Welsh Quakers met with Penn to discuss their settlement having purchased forty thousand acres of land which today comprises all of Haverford, Radnor and Lower Merion Townships. "Companies of Adventurers" were formed, with
3708-403: The 1950 US Open staged at Merion . Dow Finsterwald finished ahead of Billy Casper and Sam Snead in 1958 at Llanerch Country Club , the first PGA Championship held after the format was switched from match play to stroke play. Lee Trevino defeated Jack Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff in 1971 at Merion , when he famously tossed a rubber snake at Nicklaus on the first tee on the day of
3811-561: The Nitre Hall Powder Mills on Cobb's Creek, which were in operation by 1810. During the American Revolution very little black powder was manufactured in this country, and it was needed for engineering and mining. Between 1810 and 1840, these mills were the second largest powder mills in the U.S., with production of 800,000 pounds in 1812. The mills ceased operations in 1840 and were sold to Dennis Kelly, who converted them for
3914-589: The Philadelphia Main Line , growing alongside the Paoli/Thorndale Line , Norristown High Speed Line , and the former trolley routes, now SEPTA Route 103 and SEPTA Route 104 . The township population as of the 2020 census was 50,431, making it the 16th-most populous municipality in the state . Haverford Township holds the distinction of having hosted two different men's major golf championships at two different golf clubs: Merion Golf Club hosted
4017-469: The Tertiary and Quaternary Periods . Atlantic Coastal Plain rock is generally softer than Piedmont Uplands rock and was deposited in the area about 1.6 million years ago through glacial erosion. Several geologic formations can be found within watershed of Darby Creek. The Wissahickon Formation is the most prevalent formation in the watershed. It is derived from derived from sandstones and mudstones and
4120-466: The floodplain at the confluence of Ithan Creek and Darby Creek, the main trees species include silver maple , black willow , boxelder , and red maple . In the wetlands at this site, the main tree species include scattered black willow and silver maple. There are also patches of silky dogwood and wild rose , which are surrounded by assorted wetland plants, including herbs, grasses , sedges , and rushes. However, numerous exotic plants also inhabit
4223-437: The 1800s four additional one-room schools and one parochial school were built. The latter part of the 19th century was the beginning of the present school system. After World War II , additions were made to existing schools, a new high school and three one-story elementary schools were built. Today there is one middle school, one senior high, five elementary schools, four parochial schools and four private schools. David Lawrence
Haverford Township, Pennsylvania - Misplaced Pages Continue
4326-598: The 1860s. Darby Creek tends to be a fast stream with some riffles . There is also whitewater in places. The creek is a "radically intermittent storm drain" in its upper reaches and a tidal estuary in its lower reaches. It passes through the only substantial tidal wetlands in Pennsylvania. There used to be three small dams on Darby Creek. Going downstream, their heights were 8 feet (2.4 m), 6 feet (1.8 m), and 4 feet (1.2 m). However, they were removed in late 2012 because they were contributing to flooding in
4429-628: The 1930s there were a number of projects undertaken on Darby Creek by the Army Corps of Engineers . The dikes along the southern end of the creek were repaired by a joint force of the Works Progress Administration , the Pennsylvania legislature, and Delaware County. A series of ditches in the Tinicum marshland were constructed by the Corps in 1935 as a means of mosquito control . The dredged material
4532-475: The Castle Hill Mills. This site is just north of Eagle Road on the west bank of Cobb's Creek. On Darby Creek to the west, Richard Hayes Jr., David Morris and Samuel Lewis erected a gristmill, known as Haverford New Mill, in 1707. Later a sawmill was attached. This mill operated until 1904. Near the border with Marple Township , Humphrey Ellis operated a very early fulling mill. In 1807 Henry Lawrence built
4635-769: The Darby Creek watershed is large and "ecologically unsustainable", according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service . Plant species of concern at the Darby Creek Mouth Mudflat include Amaranthus cannabinus , Baccharis halimifolia , Bidens bidentoides , Bidens laevis , Eleocharis obtusa , Eleocharis parvula , Heteranthera multiflora , Lycopus rubellus , Pluchea odorata , Sagittaria calycina , Sagittaria subulata , Schoenoplectus fluviatilis , and Zizania aquatica . Some, such as Eleocharis obtusa , Eleocharis parvula , and Heteranthera multiflora , have not been seen since 1994. However, four other species have been seen as recently as 2009. At
4738-888: The Delaware River. Darby Creek joins the Delaware River 85.28 miles (137.24 km) upriver of its mouth. Tributaries of Darby Creek include Cobbs Creek , Little Darby Creek , Ithan Creek , Muckinipattis Creek , and numerous others. Muckinipattis Creek joins Darby Creek 2.50 miles (4.02 km) upstream of its mouth and its watershed has an area of 4.29 square miles (11.1 km ). Cobbs Creek joins Darby Creek 6.20 miles (9.98 km) upstream of its mouth and its watershed has an area of 22.3 square miles (58 km ). Ithan Creek joins Darby Creek 17.90 miles (28.81 km) upstream of its mouth and its watershed has an area of 7.39 square miles (19.1 km ). Little Darby Creek joins Darby Creek 20.80 miles (33.47 km) upstream of its mouth and its watershed has an area of 3.61 square miles (9.3 km ). For most of its length, Darby Creek has
4841-508: The EPA removed approximately 4,000 tons of soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and shipped it elsewhere for disposal. In 2014, the EPA selected a remediation plan for the Clearview landfill which called for placement of an evapotranspiration cover over 50 acres of the landfill, relocation of contaminated soil outside the cover to inside, and collection and treatment of leachate from
4944-745: The Golden Age Program, the Senior Citizen Prom and the Tax-Aide Program for senior citizens; and Delaware County Community College courses for all residents. Haverford, which is a member of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and the Main Line Chamber of Commerce, maintains partnerships with local universities and colleges, businesses, service organizations, realtors, community groups and senior citizen organizations. In 1989,
5047-633: The Greenway Plan for the Darby Creek Watershed in 2011. A $ 1047 Pennsylvania Growing Greener grant was given to Delco Anglers and Conservationists for riparian restoration on Darby Creek. Another Growing Greener grant, this one for $ 68,225, was awarded to Marple Township for a streambank stabilization project on the creek. Additionally, a $ 1000 grant from the Pennsylvania Watershed Restoration Assistance Program
5150-492: The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, which is a tidal estuary along the creek, supports various plant and animal species and is a critical migratory habitat for waterfowl . It is also designated as a National Wildlife Refuge . The Ithan-Darby Creek Wetlands contain old fields, wet meadows , and riparian buffers . They are inhabited by one "species of concern". The population of white-tailed deer in
5253-570: The Montgomery County title of the Pennsylvania code (specifically Title 346) is an obsolete version, as the revised version was never published in the code. Darby Creek (Pennsylvania) Darby Creek (historically known as Church Creek or the Derby River ) is a tributary of the Delaware River in Chester , Delaware and Philadelphia counties, in the U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania . It
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#17328522169005356-656: The Optional Third Class City Charter Law in 1957, and in 1968, the new Constitution declared that "Municipalities shall have the right and power to frame and adopt home rule charters." The new Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law, creating that right in the statutes of the Commonwealth, was passed in 1972. Home rule charters are published in the Pennsylvania Code in titles numbered in the 300s, by county. However, Norristown's published charter in
5459-483: The Pennsylvania Township Code. Haverford Township was founded in 1682 and incorporated in 1911. Haverford Township contains portions of the unincorporated communities of Haverford , Ardmore , and Wynnewood and the census designated places of Bryn Mawr and Drexel Hill . The unincorporated community of Havertown lies wholly within Haverford Township. Much of Haverford Township developed as part of
5562-494: The Pennsylvania Township and Borough Codes no longer apply to them. All three types of municipalities (cities, boroughs, and townships) may become a home rule municipality. When Pennsylvania was chartered in 1681, its proprietor William Penn was given the power to create counties, towns, and other municipalities, and the legislature was given sovereignty over them. "Abuse of legislative interference in local matters in
5665-639: The Swedish villages in 1655. In 1664, the Dutch surrendered the Darby Creek drainage basin to the English, who began settling the area after William Penn was issued a charter in 1681. The Darby Creek Ferry House, near the site of Printz's headquarters, was erected in 1694. The English settlers were attracted to the Darby Creek watershed due to the proximity to trading routes and productive landscape. In 1777, British soldiers breached dikes and floodwalls that were constructed on
5768-463: The Welsh language never saw their dream realized. The earliest map of Penn's province dates from 1687. The area was primarily agricultural until the second decade of the 20th century. The census returns of 1860 show the value of livestock as $ 62,485.00; animals slaughtered $ 11,255.00; 46,049 bushels of grain harvested and the value of orchard and garden produce, $ 4,090.00. The two creeks that mark part of
5871-412: The area and blocking fish passage. During several measurements in the 2000s, the water temperature of Darby Creek at Foxcroft ranged from 14.4 to 20.2 °C (57.9 to 68.4 °F). The air temperature in the area ranged from 19.7 to 24.0 °C (67.5 to 75.2 °F). The barometric pressures range from 759 to 762 mm Hg. The average annual rate of precipitation in the watershed of Darby Creek
5974-581: The border between Aldan and Yeadon. The creek then flows south-southeast for a few miles, leaving its valley and passing Darby, Collingdale, Sharon Hill, and Colwyn as it crosses US Route 13 . It then receives the tributary Cobbs Creek from the left. The creek turns south and enters the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge 4.5 miles upstream from its mouth. At this point it passes through the largest freshwater marsh in Pennsylvania before becoming entirely tidal . It turns west-southwest for
6077-516: The borough. They were demolished in 2000 and the open space was converted into John Bartram Memorial Park in honor of the botanist and Darby native. In Springfield Township, Rolling Green Park was expanded when six homes were ravaged by the hurricane and had to be demolished. A number of studies have been carried out on the creek and its watershed. These include the Darby Creek Stream Valley Park Master Plan in 1987 and
6180-667: The boundary between a hot-summer humid continental climate ( Dfa ) and a humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ). The hardiness zone is 7a. The average monthly temperature in the Brookline/Oakmont vicinity ranges from 32.1 °F in January to 77.2 °F in July. As of Census 2020, the racial makeup of the township was 85.5% White , 3.5% African American , 0.1% Native American , 5.0% Asian , 0.8% from other races , and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of
6283-510: The buildings to the manufacture of textiles. Nitre Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places . The Grange Estate , also known as Maen-Coch and Clifton Hall , is a historic mansion in Havertown, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Built in 1750 and expanded several times through the 1850s, it was purchased by Haverford Township in 1974. The building
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#17328522169006386-523: The concentration of calcium ranged from 22.5 to 24.6 milligrams per liter. The sodium concentration ranged between 11.1 and 13.0 milligrams per liter and the potassium concentration ranged between 2.15 and 2.80 milligrams per liter. The manganese concentration ranges from 10.6 to 25.6 milligrams per liter and the iron concentration ranges from 18.9 to 60.7 milligrams per liter. The boron concentration ranges from an estimated 12 to 16 milligrams per liter. The concentration of fluoride in Darby Creek
6489-599: The concentration of organic carbon ranged from 2.1 t to 2.2 milligrams per liter. The concentration of ammonia in filtered water was less than or equal to 0.02 milligrams per liter in two measurements and the nitrate concentration was half that in two measurements. The orthophosphate concentration in filtered water ranged from < 0.031 to 0.071 milligrams per liter and the phosphorus concentration in unfiltered water ranged from 0.032 to 0.045 milligrams per liter. The concentration of magnesium in Darby Creek ranged from 10.7 to 11.7 milligrams per liter in filtered water and
6592-583: The corner where the Ardmore Trolley passes en route between Brookline—Oakmont and Ardmore, and near Ardmore Junction Station of the Philadelphia and Western Railway. It was the home of Joshua Humphreys , the shipbuilder and naval architect known for constructing the original six frigates of the United States Navy . Here, this beautiful specimen of early American homes still stands, in an excellent state of preservation and repair, as it has since 1813, when
6695-475: The creek and several railroads traversed the watershed. In modern times, grants by various organizations have been awarded to improve the creek and its watershed. The Darby Creek Valley Association operates within the watershed. Part of the creek's length is designated as a Coldwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery, part is a Trout Stocked Fishery and a Migratory Fishery. Various species of fish, including redbreast sunfish, eels, and trout, inhabit it. Several areas in
6798-681: The creek between the 1950s and the 1970s before closing in the mid 1970s. The former is on the west bank of the creek and the latter is on the east bank. They supposedly accepted municipal waste , demolition waste , and medical waste . A number of businesses operated at the site of the Clearview Landfill after its closing. On September 16, 1999, when Hurricane Floyd struck Pennsylvania, Upper Darby Township received seven inches of rainfall, causing massive flooding in Darby Creek. Forty-three homes were deemed uninhabitable in Darby and were purchased by
6901-491: The creek during a 2009 electrofishing survey by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission . The catch per unit effort per hour rate for smallmouth bass was slightly over 10 and the rate for rock bass was under 10. The catch per unit effort per hour rate for redbreast sunfish was 123, the highest of several warmwater streams tested during the survey. Some stocked rainbow trout and brown trout were also captured in
7004-430: The creek ranged between 100 and 109 milligrams per liter. The concentration of dissolved oxygen in Darby Creek was measured to range from 7.4 to 12.4 milligrams per liter. The carbon dioxide concentration ranged from 1.9 to 3.4 milligrams per liter and the nitrogen concentration range from 2.1 to 2.2 milligrams per liter. The concentration of organic nitrogen ranged between < 0.19 and 0.25 milligrams per liter and
7107-492: The creek. High numbers of American eels were observed in the creek was well. Fish species such as mummichogs , silvery minnows , striped bass , and white perch were found at the head-of-tide of the creek. Brown trout naturally reproduce in the creek's headwaters. The Ithan-Darby Creek Wetlands and the Darby Creek Mouth Mudflat are listed on the Delaware County Natural Areas Inventory. The former
7210-459: The creek. The Pennsylvania legislature passed an act in 1788 that mandated a maintenance of the dikes and the mowing of plants such as elderberries and pokeweed three times a year. Early English colonists utilized Darby Creek as a source of water power. Lumber, grist, and textile mills were established along the banks of the creek. Most of these mills have been demolished, although some of the tenement structures are currently in use as housing. At
7313-438: The end of the 19th century, industrial advances such as engine-driven machinery had made these mills obsolete. The advent of railroads in the late 19th century led to further development in the watershed of Darby Creek. Stops along the Pennsylvania Railroad such as Darby , Prospect Park , and Ridley Park increased in population greatly. Concern for the health of the creek led Lansdowne residents to raise funds to preserve
7416-455: The front section was built and added to the middle three-story section erected 1730–60, which in turn was then added to the rear and original two-story structure, built possibly as early as 1683. One of the log walls of this first and original section can still be seen as one enters a door on one of the sides thereof, All surrounded and shaded with some large trees, of the original forest, still surviving. The Nitre Hall Powder Mills, which gave
7519-530: The highway, it crosses Pennsylvania Route 3 and receives the tributary Longford Run from the left. Near Pilgrim Gardens, it turns southeast again and begins to flow along the border between Upper Darby Township and Springfield Township, crossing US Route 1 and receiving the tributaries Colleen Brook and Lewis Run from the left and right, respectively. Further downstream, the creek's valley becomes much steeper and narrower and it makes several meanders as it passes by Clifton Heights and Landsowne before flowing along
7622-441: The impairment are habitat modification, siltation , and flow variability stemming from urban runoff and storm sewers. Two measures of the instantaneous discharge of Darby Creek at Foxcroft in the 2000s were 10 and 17 cubic feet per second. The specific conductance of the creek ranged from 274 to 313 micro-siemens per centimeter. The pH was slightly alkaline, ranging from 7.3 to 7.8. The concentration of water hardness in
7725-518: The land was made by five trustees: Philip Sheaff, William Brook, Francis Lee, David Lyons and Benjamin Hayes Smith, "for the purpose of erecting a school thereon for the use of said Township of Haverford". The 1797 Federal School is on the National Register of Historic Places . "Pont Reading House" is situated on the Easterly side of Haverford Road, Haverford Township, Delaware County , Pennsylvania, at
7828-427: The landfill. In 2016 and 2017, the EPA conducted an additional remediation which involved the removal of approximately 3,000 cubic yards of soil from 33 residential properties due to contamination with PCBs. Implementation of the clean-up plan for the Clearview Landfill began in 2019 and is ongoing. The EPA investigation of the Folcroft landfill and determination of appropriate remediation efforts for that pollution source
7931-479: The main course or East Course and 160 acres in the West Course. The Llanerch Country Club consists of 126 acres. The Pennsylvania Railroad Golf Club was established in 1925 on 109 acres bounded by Earlington Road, Manoa Road and City Line. This property was sold in 1943 to Warner West Corporation, which developed Chatham Park. The first building erected for educational purposes was the Federal School , in 1797. During
8034-457: The manufacture of cotton and wooden goods. In 1814, Dennis Kelly borrowed capital to purchase a mill-seat on Cobb's Creek. He erected a small wooden factory known as Clinton Mills. This was a highly successful venture and, after enlarging the mill, he built Cedar Grove Mill further downstream. Dennis Kelly provided material for the U.S. government from 1817 until 1860 with contracts ranging from $ 1,800.00 to $ 41,370.00. Improved transportation opened
8137-451: The most fully developed, Brookline , 1909. While Beechwood, Oakmont and Manoa date from the same period the major housing tracts do not appear until after World War II along with the development of Chatham Park. These communities are now included under the postal address "Havertown." Several golf courses were developed. Merion Cricket Club Golf Association incorporated Clifton Hall an old farmhouse, in their clubhouse. They have 140 acres in
8240-454: The most prominent person in each taking out the patent on 5,000 acres of land as trustee. The first three families arrived in Haverford Township in 1682. Lewis David, Henry Lewis, and William Howell selected land along the southern border. The original settlers, led by John Roberts who had negotiated with William Penn in 1684 to constitute the Tract as a separate county whose local government would use
8343-459: The nation's 357 "best" colleges, the Princeton Review ranks Haverford as #6 for Best Overall Undergraduate Experience. In addition, Haverford, unlike many of its peers, is located within easy travel of a large metropolitan center and the opportunities that Philadelphia offers. Home rule municipality (Pennsylvania) In the U.S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania , a home rule municipality
8446-556: The nineteenth century led to prohibition of special and local laws in the Constitution of 1874". Early in the 20th century, the concept of municipal home rule spread across the United States, and in 1922 the Pennsylvania Constitution was amended to give the legislature the right to grant cities the right to choose home rule. Philadelphia became the first home rule city of Pennsylvania in 1951. The Assembly further adopted
8549-632: The older development in the watershed was built before current environmental regulations were enacted. In 2012, an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that Darby Creek "is one of the country's most flood-prone streams, a significant drain on the National Flood Insurance Program, and a national lesson in what can go wrong along a developed waterway." A Superfund site known as the Lower Darby Creek Area site
8652-465: The playoff. The US Open returned to Merion in 2013 , and was won by Justin Rose. As of 2018, there were 158.26 miles (254.69 km) of public roads in Haverford Township, of which 34.48 miles (55.49 km) were maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 123.78 miles (199.20 km) were maintained by the township. The most prominent highway passing through Haverford Township
8755-485: The population [1] . As of the 2020 census , there were 50,431 people, 17,923 households, and 16,489 households with children residing in the township. The population density was 4,844.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,870.5/km). There were 18,600 housing units at an average density of 1,835.8 per square mile (708.8/km). There were 17,923 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.4% were married couples living together, 6.2% had
8858-439: The site. The watershed of Darby Creek and several other nearby creeks house most of the herptiles in Delaware County. The macroinvertebrate communities of the creek mainly consist of Limestone Agricultural Stream communities. No mussel communities have been described on the creek. In the 2000s, the dry weight of periphyton in the creek was 248.2 grams per square meter. A total of 18.0 miles (29.0 km) of Darby Creek
8961-537: The topography of the watershed consists of rolling land that is densely settled. A large undeveloped tract of land owned by the Delaware County Industrial Development Authority is located at the mouth of the creek. The developed nature of the watershed of Darby Creek has caused it to be prone to storm surges during rains. Substantial amounts of nonpoint source pollution flows into the creek during storm events. Additionally, much of
9064-408: The township and offering connections to 69th Street Transportation Center and other suburbs. The first recorded purchase of land for educational purposes in Haverford Township was made on October 28, 1797, five shillings "for the purpose of erecting a school thereon for the use of said Township of Haverford". A stone structure erected on a site along Darby Road at the crossroads Coopertown served as
9167-453: The township boundaries, Cobbs Creek and Darby Creek provided mill seats for the early settlers. "As early as the year 1688 a small grist-mill, known as the "Haverford Mill," was built on Cobb's Creek, near where that stream is crossed by the road leading past Haverford Meetinghouse . Daniel Humphreys purchased the property in 1703 and built a sawmill and fulling and dyeing mill. These were added to Dennis Kelly's holding in 1826 and became
9270-499: The township to development. The transformation of Haverford Township from an agrarian spread of farms and mills began just after the turn of the 20th century. The railroads bought acres of land west of Cobb's Creek for their planned developments. Rail lines ran from 69th Street in Upper Darby outward to Ardmore, West Chester and Norristown. Along the rail lines the railroad built the first planned suburban communities Llanerch, 1897 and
9373-404: The tributary Miles Run from the left and the tributary Camp Run from the right. The creek eventually turns east briefly before receiving the tributary Ithan Creek from the left and turning south-southeast for several miles along the border between Marple Township and Haverford Township. In this reach, the creek flows alongside Interstate 476 and crosses it once. As it continues downstream alongside
9476-568: The valley its name, were built by Israel Whelen shortly after 1800. The young nation had growing needs for explosives, and the mills prospered with an output of 800,000 pounds during the War of 1812. Nitre Hall Mills produced a quality and quantity of black powder in the U.S. second only to the Dupont Mills on the Brandywine. After the powder mills closed in 1840, Dennis Kelly bought the property and converted
9579-545: The vicinity of Darby Creek were the Dutch, though they did not establish any permanent settlements. In 1643, Swedish colonists led by Johan Printz established New Sweden near the confluence of Darby Creek and the Delaware River. The settlement they established served as the seat of government for the Swedes in North America for 12 years. They may have built impoundments in the creek to isolate marsh areas. Dutch settlers conquered
9682-610: The vicinity of the creek are listed on the Delaware County Natural Areas Inventory. These include the Darby Creek Mouth Mudflat, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge , and the Ithan-Darby Creek Wetlands. A reach of the creek is navigable by canoe. Darby Creek begins in a small valley near US Route 30 in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County. It flows south-southeast for more than a mile before entering Easttown Township and turning east-northeast for several tenths of
9785-497: The watershed is in Delaware County, but some parts are in Chester County, Philadelphia County, and Montgomery County. The watershed is part of the Lower Delaware drainage basin. Historically, the Lenni Lenape people inhabited the area in the vicinity of Darby Creek. By the 17th century, the Dutch and Swedish had arrived in the area, followed some years later by the English. Numerous mills of various types were eventually built along
9888-525: The watershed. A gauging station was established on the creek at Landsowne in 1911. Nature's Plan For Parkways – Recreational Lands was published in 1932 and proposed a regional plan that would place Darby and Cobbs Creeks in an interior network of parks. These streams were chosen due to the fact that the flowed through some of the most densely populated areas in Southeastern Pennsylvania and it could serve as buffers through urban areas. During
9991-569: Was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 as The Grange. Haverford Township is located in the northeast portion of Delaware County. According to the United States Census Bureau , the township has a total area of 10.0 square miles (26 km), all of it land. The township is part of the Philadelphia Main Line and the Welsh Tract . Waterways in Haverford Township include Cobbs Creek , Darby Creek , Naylors Run and Meadowbrook Run . Haverford Township straddles
10094-528: Was added. It became known as the Three Generation House, and remained in Lawrence family ownership until 1942. The first record of the purchase of land for a school in Haverford Township was October 29, 1797. Alexander Symington received 5 shillings for an irregularly shaped building lot of one quarter of an acre and three perches near the present day intersection of Darby and Coopertown Roads. Payment for
10197-433: Was deposited throughout the marsh over the next few years. After World War II , residential development continued to expand in the watershed of Darby Creek. The automobile replaced railroads as the dominant form of transportation, and it allowed workers to live farther from their places of employment. As a result, the population of Springfield Township more than doubled between 1950 and 1960. The Tinicum Wildlife Preserve
10300-514: Was established in 1955 after the Gulf Oil Corporation donated a diked impoundment on the creek to the City of Philadelphia. Local resident Jean Diehl started a grassroots campaign to preserve the marsh in 1969, and Two Studies of Tinicum Marsh was published the following year which demonstrated the ecological importance of the marsh. The Folcroft Landfill and the Clearview Landfill operated along
10403-560: Was given to Delco Anglers and Conservationists for riparian improvement of the creek and several other creeks. In 1997, a $ 60,000 grant was given to the Darby Creek Valley Association and DelCo Anglers and Conservationists for developing a conservation plan. The grant was provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . The Darby Creek Valley Association is an organization whose purpose
10506-421: Was one of the early Welsh settlers in Haverford Township. He emigrated with his wife Elinor Ellis and her family in 1684, and took up part of his father-in-law's land grant. His son Henry Lawrence purchased 209 acres along Cobbs Creek in 1709. It has not been determined whether the log house predates this purchase, but a 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 -story stone addition was built c. 1730, and later a clapboard summer kitchen
10609-401: Was the first Native American tribe to inhabit the area in the vicinity of Darby Creek. They fished, hunted, and used the creek for transportation via canoe. At the time, the area was forested, so they burned clearings in the forest in order to farm and for security purposes. The Lenape named the creek "Muckruton", which appeared on several early maps. The first Europeans to come to the area in
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