Where GVA Works
GVA is the only watershed association in Northern Chester County devoted to the protection of water quality and quantity. Our stewardship area encompasses 155 square miles of watershed ground that contains the five watersheds of Stony Run, and Valley, Pickering, French, and Pigeon Creeks. The tributaries of these five watersheds run through some of the most productive fish and wildlife habitat in the Northern Chester County. The region is largely rural with more than 70% of the population who depend on the ground water for their drinking water. All of the watersheds under GVA’s stewardship are designated either “High Quality” or “Exceptional Value” by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “Exceptional Value” is the highest protective designation offered by the Commonwealth.
Since its inception in 1964, GVA has been dedicated to protecting, maintaining, and restoring the ecological integrity of watershed systems, while meeting the balance of environmental, social, and economic needs. The original founders of Green Valleys Association were landowners who came together to protect the French Creek Watershed from a plan to dam the Creek and turn the village of Pughtown into a giant reservoir to serve as a water supply for Philadelphia. Enraged, the local landowners formed a group called the French Creek Watershed Association. From the house of Welkinweir, now the headquarters of Green Valleys Association, the landowners met and marshaled a sufficiently formidable defense. That same spirit and commitment is what makes GVA today.
Each year, the myriad of changes in land use and population increase introduce new challenges to GVA. Population in Northern Chester County is growing at the astonishing annual rate of 20%, while statewide growth is 3.4%.
The increase in impervious cover from structures and roads, and the depletion of groundwater resources from over extraction, threatens to harm our valuable drinking water and to destroy precious habitats. Indeed, with each passing year, the importance of GVA’s role as an educator and watchdog becomes more critical and your role as responsible citizens and environmental stewards becomes increasingly important.