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Stroud Water Research Center
By Kelly Meinhart  his
past summer I had the pleasure of touring a unique facility
where the walls were thoughtfully covered with unique artwork,
where plants and organisms flourish under the watchful eyes
of concerned adults, where water flows freely, and where fascinating,
scientific professionals hold education and the understanding
of watershed ecosystems at the highest of standards.
his
unique facility is right in our own backyard, and has been
involved in statewide, national, and international watershed
studies since its founding, in 1966. The facility is the Stroud
Water Research Center, located at the headwaters of White
Clay Creek in Chester County.
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he
Stroud Center is an amazing collection of professional scientists
whose goal is not only to understand our watershed ecosystems,
but to also convey that information to the public in a way
that makes sense to every audience. And of anyone, the Stroud
Center is the most uniquely qualified to take on this task
and succeed.
 riginally
founded by W.B. Dixon Stroud and his late wife Joan, along
with Ruth Patrick, the Center was developed as a scientific
and educational institution dedicated to understanding, preserving,
and restoring streams, rivers and their watersheds throughout
the world. It was originally a field station of the Academy
of Natural Sciences, but has since evolved into an independent,
501c(3), research facility with two additional field stations
– one in West Chester, and one in northern Costa Rica.
here
are many things that make the Stroud Center unique. While
touring their facility, I met most of the 35 staff members
and several interns and volunteers. I was introduced to indoor
streams, toured rooms of beakers and microscopes, and was
privy to watching several studies in progress -- many of which
I would be too shy to explain, for I know that I have little
understanding of the scientific methods being used. But, amazingly
amidst all of the research and science going on, there was
a sense of openness and an extended hand to greater knowledge.
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he
folks at the Stroud Center take pride in their achievements
in watershed science, and they should. They work internationally
to truly understand our watersheds, why and how they work, and
what we can do to fix the damages that have been done. They
work with private companies, government agencies and volunteer
groups alike to provide solutions for our water resource problems.
 uch
of the research is done right on sight; buy assessing White
Clay Creek. The location of the stream was one of the factors
in choosing the site for the center, and has been an invaluable
resource for information throughout the years. Portions of White
Clay Creek have been designated as Exceptional Value, which
makes it a prime stream for scientific study. The staff conducts
a variety of studies with the White Clay, from macroinvertebrate
studies, chemical tests, to actually diverting some of the water
into the facility itself to create an indoor stream. The indoor
stream provides a wonderful view for scientists to study how
certain negative influences affect the water, as well as the
plants and creatures living within it.
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with providing a unique environment within their facility, the
center reaches out to communities to bring their science and
understanding to broad audiences. They do this by organizing
a variety of partnerships and collaborations with other agencies
to develop long-term studies of watershed and buffer ecosystems,
as well as publishing their findings in a variety of papers
and magazines. They also offer public workshops, multi-day courses,
and work with universities and volunteer organizations.
 f
you’re interested in learning more about water ecosystems,
the Stroud Water Research Center is the place to go. One of
their largest educational events for the public is the Upstream
Festival, held every April. It involves a variety of events
and workshops, including some pretty close views of bugs, snakes,
birds, and even peepers! It’s a day of fun for both youth
and adults, and offers a variety of programs, events, and workshops,
all geared toward providing families with a fun educational
experience. So be sure to mark your calendar, and check out
their website for more information about the event.
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For more Information visit:
Stroud
Water Research Center
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