The water, natural resources, and ecosystems in the Brandywine Creek watershed contribute an economic value of $560 million to $2 billion annually to the Pennsylvania and Delaware economies. This report examines that economic value in three different ways:
1. Economic value directly related to Brandywine Creek watershed water resources and habitats. The Brandywine Creek watershed contributes over $890 million in annual economic activity from water quality, water supply, fish/wildlife, recreation, agriculture, forests, and public parks benefits.
2. Value of goods and services provided by Brandywine Creek watershed ecosystems. Using natural capital as a measure of value, habitats in the Brandywine Creek watershed provide $560 million annually in ecosystem goods and services in 2010 dollars, with a net present value (NPV) of $18.3 billion calculated over a 100-year period.
3. Employment related to Brandywine Creek watershed resources and habitats. Using employment as a measure of value, natural resources within the Brandywine Creek watershed directly and indirectly support over 50,000 jobs with over $2 billion in annual wages.
Related Resources
Economic Value of the Brandywine Creek Watershed_DRAFT