NMS Watershed Alliance
NMS Watersheds Alliance
Nestled along the Delaware River, along the border of Delaware State, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Naamans Creek, Marcus Hook Creek and Stoney Creek comprised the last unprotected subwatershed area in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
The Naamans, Marcus Hook, and Stoney Creek subwatersheds are part of the larger Delaware River Watershed, and represent the last unprotected subwatershed area in Delaware County. Based on a recommendation from Delaware County’s 2014 Comprehensive River Plan, the NMS Watersheds Alliance was established in 2023.
The NMS is made possible with funding from the William Penn Foundation, and through a partnership between Marcus Hook Area Neighbors for Public Health and the Clean Air Council.
NMS Watersheds Mission and Values
The NMS Watersheds Alliance is a nonpartisan group committed to the protection, restoration, and conservation of the Naamans, Marcus Hook, and Stoney Creek (NMS) watersheds. We aim to encourage community stewardship and to promote enjoyment and respect of the watershed by all who live, work, play and visit.
We believe we have a right to clean water and a healthy environment. We welcome neighbors of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, citizenship, marital status, disability, or any other factor. All who support the mission are welcome to join the work.
NMS Pollution Threats
Healthy watersheds are an essential foundation for healthy communities and ecosystems. These subwatersheds are a critical and valuable part of our local communities, but are also subject to ongoing pollution and contamination from local industrial sites and urban and stormwater runoff. Petrochemical processing plants, refineries, tank farms, and other industrial facilities can leave behind legacy contaminants that persist in local ecosystems. Stormwater runoff can carry pollutants such as oil, gasoline, heavy metals, and other toxins that degrade water quality, harm local wildlife, and even impact drinking water. Other pollution sources include nutrient, bacteria and habitat impairments from impacts of urbanization and non-point source pollution. If left unaddressed, these issues can lead to further harm of the watershed, including reduced biodiversity and diminished access to the natural spaces that residents depend on for physical and mental well-being.
These issues are not just environmental; they directly impact the quality of life for the communities that rely on these waterways. If left unaddressed, these problems could lead to further degradation of the water quality, reduced biodiversity, and diminished access to the natural spaces that so many depend on for physical and mental well-being.
NMS Watersheds Alliance Work in the Watershed
The NMS Watersheds Alliance’s work aligns with community outreach and education, advocacy and stewardship. In 2025, the NMS Watersheds Alliance coordinated a spring storm drain marker workshop series in partnership with the Delaware County Conservation District, organized a summer creek clean-up in Knollwood, DE in partnership with Claymont Coalition for Environmental Justice, participated in the “Fall Salt Snapshot” in partnership with the Delaware County Office of Sustainability, and supported a winter Tree Planting in partnership with Trainer Borough EAC and the Delaware County Conservation District, as well as supported the revitalization of 3rd Street Wilcox Park in partnership with Marcus Hook Area Neighbors for Public Health and Clean Air Council.
Outreach and education initiatives focus on providing educational resources, such as workshops and online webinars, attending and tabling at local events in the watershed, including the Delaware County Sustainability Conference, Trainer Community Day and Keep Delco Beautiful Clean-up events. Advocacy initiatives include monitoring and reporting pollution concerns, submitting public comments on permit applications and renewals, attending and speaking at public hearings with community members and supporting residents and municipalities to strengthen watershed protections. Stewardship initiatives include hosting and participating in local creek clean-ups, tree-planting, trail and park improvements.
Learn more about the NMS Watersheds Alliance!
Check out the NMS Watersheds Alliance Storymap to learn more and stay up to date with the NMS watersheds! The NMS Watersheds Alliance will regularly update the storymap with new projects, initiatives, and information about our creeks and watersheds.
Get Involved with the NMS Watersheds Alliance!
Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date, and if you’d like to join the NMS Watersheds Alliance’s monthly meetings, contact Alyssa Felix-Arreola at afa@cleanair.org.
