Hills of the Wissahickon Watershed (Winter Edition)

Did you know the Wissahickon Valley was added to Fairmount Park in 1868 specifically to protect Philadelphia’s water supply? Find out why and how, as we set off from Blue Bell Hill to visit numerous fascinating park sites that have to do with water: PWD/FOW projects to control stormwater runoff and trail erosion, the 1888 interceptor sewer through the valley, ruins of a fountain on Forbidden Drive, the Monoshone Creek (Paper Mill Run), the 1690 paper mill site at Historic RittenhouseTown, and a new constructed wetland at Saylor Grove.  Learn how the Monoshone and Wissahickon directly affect the city’s water supply, flowing into the Schuylkill just above one of our drinking water intakes.

Winter is a gorgeous season to explore the Wissahickon. The sight lines through the trees are amazing; beautiful 19th century stonework can be seen that is usually hidden in the leaves.

(Rain Date: January 31)