Projects and Research
Dike Restoration Project (Upcoming Fall/Winter 2025)
On August 4th, 2020, Hurricane Isais swept through Philadelphia and Delaware Counties, dumping large volumes of water in the Darby Creek Watershed. Rain waters rushing down the creeks collided with a rising storm surge and high tide, spilling over the banks in the Eastwick Neighborhood of Philadelphia County and Delaware County, causing major flooding in our communities. In the refuge, flood waters overtopped Dike Toad, Trolley Bed, and parts of Haul Road, also known as Wetland Loop Trail. Flood waters caused significant erosion along Dike Road, creating dangerous conditions on the trail. Within a few weeks of the flood, we conducted emergency repairs to stabilize and make Dike Road safe, but this was only a temporary fix. This was not the first time a major flooding event damaged the dike. In 2011, back-to-back storms, Hurricanes Irene and Lee, similarly swept through Darby Creek Watershed, damaging the same section of trail.
To protect the road from overtopping and eroding during future flood events, we are conducting a permanent restoration project for the road. We will stabilize the impoundment-side slope, so in the case of similar storms, erosion of the road will not occur. The accessibility of the trail will also be repaired through this project. Our water control structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.
Learn more about structure , next to our pump station, is used to control the flow of water between Darby Creek and the impoundment. This structure will be completely replaced, allowing our team to more easily manage impoundment water levels for bird migration and wildlife viewing. The damaged fishing platform along Darby Creek, next to our water control structure, will be removed. A new fishing platform will be constructed along Darby Creek across from the boardwalk, where we host our fishing events. The old set of stairs that used to lead to Big Boardwalk and were damaged during the storm will be replaced, and improvements will be made to the accessible ramp connecting the boardwalk to the trail.
This project will begin late Fall 2025 and is expected to take 12 months to complete. During construction, the trail will be closed from the gate to just before our observation tower. The gravel lot and a portion of the parking lot will be used by the construction crew to stage their equipment and materials and will also be closed to the public. The observation tower and bathrooms will remain open. Signage will be posted, clarifying the trail closure location. Though this portion of Wetland Loop Trail will be closed for a long length of time, we are excited to finally reinforce and strengthen the dike against future floods, and reveal the new trail, stairs, and fishing platform to our visitors.
