Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC)

DRBC and Our Shared Waters Partner TerraCycle recently hosted a "Water & Waste" roundtable at TerraCycle's headquarters in Trenton, N.J. The event offered an opportunity for folks to connect and engage with one another and to share ideas and perspectives on the water-waste connection, as well as on Delaware River Basin water quality and the economic impacts of clean water. Invited guests included Our Shared Waters partners working across sectors to improve and protect the Delaware River Basin's shared water resources, as well as local elected officials. In addition to learning about the innovative work that TerraCycle does, participants also had the opportunity to hear from DRBC Sr. Aquatic Biologist Jake Bransky about a recent Commission study on microplastics in the Delaware River Estuary. This study showed that microplastics were found in all samples tested, including blanks, highlighting the pervasiveness of the problem and the need for solutions to reduce, reuse and recycle waste. We thank all attendees for their time and interest and for the healthy discussions that ensued around the connection between water and waste. Events like these help spark conversations and allow the DRBC to better understand and serve the needs of Basin communities. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/emjEJ4_k

We are so excited to celebrate the Delaware River as Pennsylvania's 2025 River of the Year! Check out the below itinerary for the Delaware River Sojourn's 30th paddle down the river this June. Visit delawareriversojourn.com for more details - registration will open later this month. And, please stay tuned for announcements of additional River of the Year celebrations!

Here is the National Drought Mitigation Center's (https://lnkd.in/g7qjD5U) U.S. drought monitor showing the Mid-Atlantic region & a close up with the Delaware River Basin boundary. Updates are every Thursday based on Tuesday's data. Like last week, drought conditions cover most of the Delaware River Basin. Severe and moderate drought remains in Pa., N.J. & Del.; extreme drought is still seen in parts of S. Jersey. Note these graphics are dated March 4 and do not take into consideration yesterday's rainfall. In the DRB, state drought watches are still in effect in Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania. New Jersey counties and two counties in Pa. are in drought warning. New York is in normal conditions. The DRBC's water supply emergency remains in effect.

Please Save the Dates! The next public input sessions for DRBC's Climate Resilience Planning (CRP) effort are March 12 at 9 a.m. and March 19 at 7 p.m. Both will be held virtually via Zoom Webinar. Register for the March 12 webinar: https://lnkd.in/eUkUs65v Register for the March 19 webinar: https://lnkd.in/e_a4hWuV Get full information about the DRBC's CRP & see additional public input session dates: https://lnkd.in/eaUt7f6s

Attention Students! The DRBC is looking for a summer intern in its Water Resources Planning Section to help improve the Commission's data analysis capabilities and long-term water supply planning efforts. Students majoring in environmental science, geology, engineering or planning are encouraged to apply! Internship Basics: --Hybrid: In-office on Tuesdays & Wednesdays; Remote on Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays --Paid, ~37.5 hours per week; May - September 2025 To apply, send resume to DRBC's Michael Thompson at [email protected] by March 28! Full details at https://lnkd.in/eFTqaKf

Today is World Engineering Day! The 2025 theme, "Design Your Future," is about celebrating engineers and engaging students - our future engineers! We have multiple engineers on DRBC's staff, working to manage, protect & improve the Delaware River Basin's water resources. DRBC engineers work on water quality modeling & monitoring, flow management, water supply planning and project review. They also enjoy getting out & connecting with all ages of the public, talking about the work they do & how everyone can help protect our waterways. Thank you & a Happy World Engineering Day to our staff engineers & all engineers out there!

Please Save the Date! On March 24, 2025, the DRBC is holding a virtual Zoom Webinar at 10 a.m. to review the findings of its newly-published State of the Basin 2025 Report. Free, open to the public. Get the link to register for the webinar and check out the report: https://lnkd.in/eUEJ-CxT

It's Women's History Month! This year's monthly theme is "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” Be sure to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8 and visit the links below to see how you can help accelerate action for all women! Learn more: --https://lnkd.in/dGX7T8X --https://lnkd.in/gBTX9wF --https://lnkd.in/e4NZKr5

DRBC's 1Q Business Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2025, starting at 10:30 a.m. The meeting is open to the public and will be held virtually on Zoom Webinar; it will be livestreamed on YouTube. The meeting will include a report on hydrologic conditions and one from the Executive Director, as well as the consideration of 26 draft dockets that were subject to a public hearing last month. Get the meeting agenda and link to register for the webinar at https://lnkd.in/dQG2-bP.

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary's?Delaware Estuary Science and Environmental Summit was held February 11-12, 2025, in Wilmington, Del. Since 2005, this biennial Science Summit has been bringing together scientists and environmental professionals, researchers and leaders to discuss the problems facing the Delaware River Estuary and work towards potential solutions. Since the Summit's early years, DRBC staff has been involved, sharing expertise and information about DRBC water resource management efforts, moderating sessions and simply being an attendee, learning about what others are doing in the estuary and seeking opportunities for collaboration and partnership. This year was no different. Over the Summit's two days, DRBC staff presented ongoing work to improve dissolved oxygen levels in the Delaware River Estuary, an update on DRBC spill mitigation models and several model improvements, information on DRBC's long-term PFAS monitoring and planned next steps, details about DRBC's climate resilience planning process and scheduled public input opportunities and more. View the presentations given by DRBC staff at https://lnkd.in/eyMH6Q7a.