(a) Damage on Bridge Street, which has occurred two times in the last five years; (b) Flooding on Parkland Road; (c, d): Flooding and some of the aftermath on Pleasant View Road
Springfield Township, Bucks County, PA, in updating its Comprehensive Plan, recognizes the impacts of increasing climate-related events on property owners and infrastructure. The Township seeks to develop a hydrological model in order to produce a future flood predictive data risk map to identify stormwater and flooding vulnerability, to assist in determining priority areas and risk potentials to prevent damage, maintain safety, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. Such an approach will reduce costly reactionary responses, minimize emergency situations for the community, and provide a more cost-effective approach to stormwater management.
The community leaders involved in the project are part of Springfield Township’s municipal government in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Their primary goal is to address the challenges posed by climate change, specifically increasing flooding and stormwater management issues, through collaboration with Thriving Earth Exchange. Springfield Township, Bucks County, PA, is a predominantly rural residential community with significant agricultural and natural resource areas. that incorporates the majority of the Cooks Creek Watershed (24 of 30 square miles), an Exceptional Value Cold Water Fishery, and the only source of wild and native brown trout in SE PA. Just over 5,000 residents reside in our 30.8 square mile pie-shaped township, adjoining 8 other municipalities in three counties. With nearly 100 miles of roads, significant limestone karst, and the headwaters of multiple Delaware River tributaries, stormwater is a very significant concern here.
The township has recently updated its Comprehensive Plan, which emphasizes the urgent need to prepare for environmental changes and enhance community resilience. Since 2015, Springfield Township has had stormwater and flooding ordinances in place based on the existing federal floodplain data. However, the historically based floodplain data are inadequate for future planning to develop a climate-resilient township.
Springfield Township in Bucks County has experienced recurring stormwater floods of increasing frequency, but thankfully, they have remained localized and limited in area. However, neighboring communities have faced significant impacts from these floods, prompting the Township to take proactive measures to mitigate future risks. The last major township-wide event was caused by Hurricane Ida in September 2021, resulting in approximately $90,000 in damages. The most recent significant rainstorm occurred in July 2023, and caused further infrastructure damage, but was concentrated in less populated areas. During this event, certain areas of Springfield received more than 6 inches of rain in under 8 hours. Bucks County’s terrain, with floodplains along streams and in valleys, makes it prone to flooding. The region’s low-rolling hills accumulate rainfall or snowmelt, which drains into streams and rivers, leading to the inundation of stream banks and adjacent floodplains. Climate change is exacerbating the risk of localized flooding, as evidenced by the closure of PA Route 309 due to flash flooding in 2019. Hurricanes and extreme winter storms also cause property damage, dangerous road conditions, and utility interruptions.
To address this growing threat, the township requires an updated, forward-looking flood risk map to identify vulnerable areas and prioritize mitigation efforts. The project results will protect residential properties and critical infrastructure, such as communication hubs and emergency centers. Additionally, community leaders are considering the potential of managing stormwater by increasing natural infiltration rates through reforestation and regenerative agriculture. The future flood predictive data and flood risk map will guide updates to ordinances and building codes, provide an assessment of vulnerable existing building stock, and new data for emergency management planning while ensuring that future development occurs in safe and sustainable areas. Furthermore, the community needs a comprehensive prediction model to accurately forecast the possible extent of future flood events, effective mitigation measures to reduce flood risks, and updated floodplain ordinances to ensure that goal.
Upon completion, the community will benefit from a more robust and adaptive infrastructure capable of handling extreme weather events and reduced flood risk. Additionally, the comprehensive stormwater management plan will enhance the township’s long-term resilience by fostering sustainable land-use practices, protecting ecosystems, and increasing public awareness of flood preparedness measures. The map will improve understanding of flood risk and vulnerable areas, enabling targeted approaches to ensure stronger, more durable infrastructure. Moreover, the map will facilitate the pursuit of funding for flood mitigation projects by providing evidence-based support for grant applications. Ultimately, this project will serve as a model for other municipalities facing similar challenges, demonstrating the importance of collaborative, forward-thinking approaches to climate resilience.
James (Jim) P. Hopkins, PE serving as a Township Supervisor, is a retired professional engineer with advanced degrees in civil engineering and management. His fifty years of engineering experience includes significant municipal and environmental projects. Locally, he has almost forty years of Township service in a variety of roles, including elected official, planning commission, open space, EAC, and liaison to Police, Parks & Land Preservation, Historic, and upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce. Regionally, he has served on the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and Bucks County Association of Township Officials.
Bobb Carson is Professor Emeritus of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Lehigh University, with expertise in marine geology, sedimentation, tectonics, applied statistics, and paleoclimatology. He has served on the Springfield Township Planning Commission for nearly 50 years.
Rich Pursell serves as the Township Manager/Director of Public Works for Springfield Township. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Delaware Valley College and has 25+ years of experience in municipal government with a strong background in road infrastructure and finances. Additionally, he served as an elected official with a local municipality. He joined Springfield Township in 2019 and was appointed as the Township Manager in 2022. In this role, he is responsible for the daily operations of the Township.
Lorna Yearwood is a Township Supervisor for Springfield Township. She holds an MSc in Environmental Technology and worked as an environmental consultant for almost twenty years. She now owns and operates a small farming business in Springtown and has worked as an educator on organic gardening techniques at the local community college and school She has founded and been involved with various environmental non-profits over the years. She most recently served on the Springfield Township Environmental Advisory Council for 10 years.
Sushree Sangita Dash is a doctoral candidate at McGill University. Her areas of interest are remote sensing, atmospheric modeling techniques, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change and hydrology. Beyond her academic pursuits, she is passionate about community engagement and has been actively involved in outreach initiatives to raise awareness about climate change and sustainable environment.
We are seeking scientists with expertise in climate resilience, flood risk assessment, sustainable building practices, and green/natural infrastructure to contribute valuable insights to our project. The scientists’ role will include conducting a comprehensive analysis of Springfield Township’s flood risks, helping to develop predictive flood models, and recommending building upgrades and mitigation strategies. The scientists will also assist in reviewing existing building codes and ordinances to ensure they align with climate resilience goals. Successful community engagement and collaboration with local leaders and residents are crucial to this project.
We welcome the involvement of students, especially those studying environmental science, civil engineering, stormwater hydrology or related fields, to contribute to the project. While we prefer local scientists who are familiar with the region’s environmental challenges, we are open to remote engagement.
Thriving Earth Exchange asks all scientific partners to work with the community to help define a project with concrete local impact to which they can contribute as pro-bono volunteers and collaborators. This work can also position the scientists and communities to seek additional funding, together, for the next stage.
The Nurture Nature Center is a non-profit located in Easton, PA, that supports building community resiliency to environmental risk by leveraging the power of informal science education, art-centered approaches to learning, and community dialogue and networking. Started in response to flooding in Easton, NNC has over a decade of work related to flood outreach, education, and social science research. NNC is currently an AGU TEX Community Science Hub.
Cooks Creek Watershed Association was formed in 1974 with a mission to protect, preserve and improve the quality of water, land and life in the Cooks Creek Watershed. The CCWA is currently involved in regional planning efforts that will ensure the long-term protection of the creek.
The Bucks County Planning Commission (BCPC) assists the County Commissioners and all 54 constituent municipalities with the introduction, establishment, and administration of sound land use practices and policies, including stormwater management, that serve to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all County residents, equally, without prejudice, and in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
