Credit: Montgomery County.
Montgomery County announced it will restore a floodplain along the Wissahickon Creek in Whitemarsh Township. A $1 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) will support the revitalization of an 11-acre parcel of County-owned land that was damaged during Hurricane Ida and the ensuing clean-up.
The project will repair eroded creekbanks to reduce localized flooding, improve drinking water quality, and replenish the native ecosystem at the site. Residents will also enjoy enhanced access to recreation and environmental education via the Wissahickon Trail that traverses the land.
"Thanks to a $1 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, we're going to bring this land back to its former glory," said Neil K. Makhija, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. "Restoring a floodplain isn't just a feel-good environmental project—it's smart, it's necessary, and it delivers real benefits. One major outcome of this project is you're going to see less localized flooding and higher water quality."
By lowering the creek bed along this parcel of land, the County will enable the safe storage of more floodwater at the site. The repairs will reduce the volume and intensity of floodwater in surrounding low-lying areas and prevent the spread of known pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorous into the drinking water supply.
“Vibrant natural spaces are essential to the bond our residents feel with their community,” said Jamila H. Winder, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Montgomery County is grateful to have the state’s support as we invest not only in the safety of our residents near Whitemarsh Township, but also their access to enriching, family-friendly activities.”
With a construction budget of $3.8 million, the project will be executed in three phases. Surveying work began at the site in 2024, while project design and permitting reviews are expected to continue throughout 2025. Construction will begin in Spring 2026 and take 6–9 months to complete.
“The Montgomery County communities in this area...are all still rebuilding from Hurricane Ida, and it’s important that we as a County step up to do what we can to help these efforts,” said Thomas DiBello, Montgomery County Commissioner. “We’re grateful the state has worked with us to make this project attainable. This is a strong step toward helping the natural spaces in this area really flourish.”
The $1 million state grant is provided by PA DCED’s Local Share Account, which utilizes state gaming revenues to fund projects that improve quality of life for residents in a community.
“This $1 million state grant is a testament to teamwork,” said Senator Vincent Hughes, Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair. “In this particular category of funding, there’s probably over one hundred million dollars in applications for a limited amount of dollars to be spent. In order to get funding, the team and the proposal have to be strong. This project, and this team in particular, demonstrated a clear need for the community and the goodwill of all kinds of individuals who will come together to make this flood mitigation project happen.”
"The Whitemarsh Wissahickon Floodplain Restoration Project represents a bold step toward ecological renewal—restoring a vital floodplain, fostering essential habitats, and creating a living demonstration where the community can reconnect with nature’s beauty and resilience," said State Representative Mary Jo Daley.
