LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP

COMMISSIONERS

Keith E. Frederick, Manager
Carrol Pickens, Manager*

* Resigned

PLANNING COMMISSION

Dennis F. Glackin, Director

PLANNING CONSULTANT
LOUIS GLASS ASSOCIATES
110 Bala Avenue Bala Cynwyd, Penna. 19004

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXISTING LAND USE

INTRODUCTION

The existing land use patterns found throughout a municipality are the result of natural and man made forces acting on the land over long periods of time. Natural forces encompass such elements as topography, water resources, forests, and soil capabilities. Man made elements include transportation facilities, utilities, and land use regulations. All of these factors have been present in varying degrees in shaping the character and land use patterns that are discernible today throughout the township.

In Lower Merion Township the development patterns were largely established during the 1800's, and early 1900*s and reflect the influences of land accessibility and transportation factors. Because of the geographical proximity to Philadelphia, the township first began to develop along the rail and highway transportation corridors particularly Lancaster and Montgomery Avenues. This is where all of the early commercial services could be found, and housing development naturally occurred adjacent to these facilities. Much of this development was before the time of detailed land use regulations, and as a result the most densely utilized portions of the township exist along these particular transportation facilities.

GENERAL LAND USE PATTERNS

Map A-l graphically depicts the generalized land use patterns existing in the township. Several distinct land use relationships are evident from this map. City Line Avenue, Lancaster Avenue, and Montgomery Avenue rorm the major automobile transportation corridors through the township, and almost all of the commercial and industrial facilities in the township can be found directly adjacent to these highways. This type of land development is not unusual, and is characteristic of land patterns formed in association with transportation links. Similar patterns can be found in almost every developed community.

In regard to the commercial corridors it should be noted that these highways date back several hundred years,and of course, have been converted from horse travel to serving automobile traffic. Consequently, much of this development, particularly along Lancaster Avenue, has not been designed to accomodate the demands that automobile traffic generates. As a result, lack of adequate parking is a frequent obstacle to utilization of the commercial facilities. In addition, there is a conglomeration of uncoordinated signage along sections of Lancaster Avenue, which detracts aesthetically from the appearance of the area.

Immediately adjacent to these three major highways are housing developments where the individual lots are smaller than found throughout the remainder of the township. This housing pattern reflects the proximity to Philadelphia; the need for high density housing development; the availability of sewerage facilities that permits high density development; the nearness to community facilities; and the fact that much of this development predates modern zoning regulations. The land in this area is also quite flat without very many natural detriments, which permits high density development. Many of the street designs are also rectangular as opposed to curvilinear which is prefered in today's developments. Also associated with this high density development pattern is the fact that all of the township's multi-family apartment houses are located along these three major highways.

In addition to the above noted high density locations, there are also two other small locations of high density housing patterns existing in the township. These are the villages of Gladwyne and Belmont Hills. Some of the Gladwyne village area predates the Revolutionary War, and the cluster of houses on small lots is typical of settlements dating from that century. The Belmont Hills area also predates the township's zoning regulations and as a result this high density community was built on a very steep slope area, a situation that would not be permitted to this degree under modern zoning ordinances.

The other housing development pattern that can be seen in map A-l is the low density residential development situated in the Gladwyne and Villanova portions of the township. This low density pattern is the result of several interconnected factors. The lack of sewerage facilities throughout most of this area is the dominant factor that demands large-lot development. In addition, the topography in this section of the township, along with some soil development problems, precludes high density housing developments. And the fact that the northern part of the township is furthest from Philadelphia means that it was the last to develop, and consequently was subject to more modern land use regulations and standards. The curvilinear road patterns seen throughout this corner of the township is testimony to the fact that most of this residential development is comparatively new.

Another distinct land use pattern that is evident from map A-l is that most of the community facilities are located in the southern half of the township, where most of the population resides. The one exception to this generalization is the location of passive park areas, which are found along stream beds in the northern segment of the township. This is logical because the demand for acquisition of passive land to protect the environment is a recent social phenomenon, and the grounds best suited for this purpose are situated along streams that usually can not be developed because of the adjacent steep slopes. As a result, most of the active community facilities noted in map A-l are found interspersed within existing neighborhoods in the southern half of the township. These community facilities consist of churches, schools, post offices, fire companies, municipal buildings, cemeteries, and parks and playgrounds.

NARBERTH

It is important to include a brief description of the Borough of Narberth in this report because the borough is wholly confined within the borders of Lower Merion Township. Consequently, the 5,151 people who reside in the borough affect the township, since all Narberth residents must traverse the township to reach other destinations. So while the total 1970 population of Lower Merion was 63,392, the actual number of people in both municipalities combined was 68,543. The number of people residing in Narberth increased by only 42 from 1960 to 1970, probably because the borough is completely developed. Therefore, the population impact on Lower Merion Township has stabilized in terms of total population. Within Narberth's population, however, there may be shifts between various age groups even though the total population remains constant.

It should also be noted that additional facilities beside housing can be found in Narberth. There is a downtown commercial core as well as additional commercial facilities along Montgomery Avenue. These facilities in turn affect demand levels and commercial land utilization factors in Lower Merion. A major park and playground facility adjacent to the municipal complex, which also includes a library, must be considered in any evaluation of recreational areas available throughout the southern end of the township.

EXISTING LAND USE ACREAGE

In 1970 a study was performed by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission indicating the number of acres of land being utilized in Lower Merion Township. This information is presented in Figure A-l.

According to this study, residential land uses 57% of all the average in the township. And within this residential category, single family houses account for 53% of the total. After single family acreage, apartment developments account for the second highest amount of land used for residential purposes. In 1970, about 258 acres were classified in this category. This was closely.followed by 210 acres devoted to two family dwellings.

It is noticeable that only 61 acres or less than %% of the township's area is used for industrial purposes. This is less than typical for a municipality of this size, and indicates that municipal revenues must be generated from other sources in the township. This lack of an industrial base is partially compensated for by the amount of ground area utilized for retail and service purposes. Together, these categories account for 3% of the land area in the township, which is 400 acres. What these figures do not express, is the intensity and quality of development taking place on retail and service facility lands. Obviously the office and retail complexes in the southeastern corner of the township can be considered among the finest in the region, which contribute substantially to the revenue base of the township in excess of the proportionate land area used for these purposes.

Land devoted to educational purposes is also quite substantial in the township. In 1970 about 493 acres were placed in this category, which includes public as well as private educational facilities. When the 493 acres of educational land is added to the 433 acres of cemeteries located in the township, it can be seen that a significant portion of the township's area, 6%, is devoted to institutional uses.

The amount of acres placed in recreational uses, 537 acres, is surprisingly high for a township that traces its development patterns back several hundred years. During the development of older communities there often was a noticeable lack of emphasis on acquiring recreation and open space lands, and as these communities became developed, the opportunity for setting aside recreation land was often lost. The fact that 3% of Lower Merlon's land area is today in recreational lands is fortunate, and provides an excellent base to build upon.

The last two categories in Figure A-l consist of agricultural and undeveloped lands. Together these two uses contain 3,098 acres, which is 21% of the total township area. These figures are based on the assumption that most of the ground around residential estates is vacant, and that only the house and immediate yard areas are considered residential. Consequently, these two figures appear abnormally high, since the township is for practical purposes fully developed. The implication contained in these figures is that some additional housing will be developed, and that such residential lots will be created from the further subdivision of existing estates.

Figure A-1

EXISTING LAND USE 1970

SOURCE: Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, 1970 Land Use File, 8/21/74. Adjusted by Consultant.

In 1977 the township also received a study of existing land use from the Montgomery County Tax Assessor's Office. This study is a computerized analysis of land use as detailed for the purpose of updating tax assessments throughout the county. The data is segmented into categories that are different from that presented in Figure A-1, so that an exact correlation between the two studies is not possible. Comparability between the studies is also not precisely possible because the Montgomery County study was based on less total acres assigned to the township. The explanation probably lies in the fact that the county study was devised for tax purposes, and excludes land used for streets. The DVRPC study carries a land use category called Transportation, which accounts for a large amount of the difference in total acreage between the two studies. Nevertheless, the statistics presented by Montgomery County as shown in Figure A-2 are probably more exact than the DVRPC results, since the county study was more recent and was more thoroughly detailed.

Figure A-2 indicates that 65% of the township is in residential useage, compared to 57% presented in Figure A-1. The bulk of the residential land area, 51%, is in the single family category. Basically, both studies clarify the fact that Lower Merion is predominantly a single family community, followed by duplexes, two family dwellings and apartments.

Commercial land uses in Figure A-2 amount to 6% of the township's area, which normally would be rather high except for the fact that this useage is counter balanced by the almost non-existance of industrial land areas. Both studies confirm that only about 55 to 61 acres are being used for industrial purposes, which means there is no significant industrial tax base in the township.

Both studies also confirm the finding that about 400 acres or 3% of the township's area is devoted to cemeteries, almost all of which are located along Belmont Avenue. Institutional uses, meaning churches, hospitals, nursing homes, etc., show up in the county study as consuming almost 600 acres or 5% of the township's area. Virtually all of this land is tax exempt, as is the next category, schools. Educational facilities in Lower Merion use almost 500 acres of land, which is 4% of the total township area. According to the county study, governmental facilities also use another 612 acres, which is tax exempt. Most of this land is in the form of parks and recreation facilities.

Perhaps the most interesting feature in Figure A-2 is the delineation of vacant land by zoning district. There are 791 vacant parcels of residential land, totaling 1,421 acres. The number of large acreage land holdings are spread over relatively few parcels, whereas there are a great number of parcels consisting of small lots. For instance, there are 232 parcels (29% of all vacant parcels) each of which are less than 10,000 square feet in size, but they add up to only 30 acres in total, which is 2% of all vacant residential land. On the other hand there are 128 parcels each of which are 2 acres or larger, and which total 1,043 acres or 73% of the vacant residential land. And almost 50% of all undeveloped residential land is in parcels of 2 to 20 acres in size.

On the surface, these figures indicate that a potential exists for a great deal more subdivision and homebuilding to take place in Lower Merion. However, map A-1l indicates that most of the large lot vacant land holdings are situated in the Gladwyne area. Most of this part of the township is zoned for 90,000 square foot lots, and in addition this area contains lands that are environmentally sensitive and hence unsuitable for development. If all of the suitable undeveloped lands were developed, there would be approximately 1,000 new units added to the township, and half of these would be multi-family dwellings.

Figure A-2

EXISTING LAND USE
FOR TAX PURPOSES 1977

SOURCE: Montgomery County Tax Assessor's Office, Land Use Classification, February 7, 1977. Adjusted by Consultant.

RESIDENTIAL DENSITIES

Since Lower Merion is essentially fully developed, and since more than half of the township's land area is in residential uses, it is important to clarify the various residential density ranges occurring in all areas of the township. This has been done in Map A-2 and Figure A-3. Figure A-3 the ten existing residential zoning districts are set forth and placed in categories ranging from low density to high density. These densities range from less than half of a dwelling unit per acre to almost 17.4 units per acre.

A comparison of this data with Map.A-2 indicates that the high density residential areas mostly occur adjacent to the major transportation arteries and commercial areas. Medium high densities are generally confined to the area south of Montgomery Avenue and north of Belmont Hills. From this demarcation line medium density housing progresses northward and changes into low density housing in the Gladwyne area.

These patterns indicate that the township permits a considerable range of housing densities, and that geographically the placement of the densities corresponds to the availability of support facilities and the constraints of natural features. Churches, schools, transportation, community sewers, and retail services are heavily concentrated in the southern portion of the township, where they are available to serve the majority of the residents.

Figure A-3

ZONING ORDINANCE SUMMARY
RESIDENTIAL DENSITIES

¹Single family densities based on net square footage after deleting 15% of each acre for streets and misc. (43,560 S.F. - 6,534 = 37,026 S.F.)

BRYN MAWR AND ARDMORE RETAIL LOCATIONS

The highest intensity of retail activities occurs along Lancaster and Montgomery Avenues. For descriptive purposes, the retail centers of Bryn Mawr and Ardmore can be categorized as central business districts. In Bryn Mawr and sections of Ardmore, the second and third floors above retail stores contain apartments. Immediately behind the retail stores in most cases are twin houses.

The Bryn Mawr retail area is almost entirely confined to the frontage along Lancaster Avenue. In Ardmore, retail uses front on Lancaster Avenue and also extend along several streets that are perpendicular to Lancaster Avenue. Ardmore also contains the separate shopping area known as Suburban Square.

The Ardmore retail area has a sufficient number of off street parking locations. The parking situation in Bryn Mawr is not adequate, and the subject has been under intensive study. It is important to obtain the maximum number of parking spaces in Bryn Mawr in order to insure the continued vitality of commercial services to township residents.

NATURAL FEATURES

~~~~~Introduction missing

~~~~~B1 missing

The depth to bedrock also helps determine the suitability of a site for on-lot sewage systems.

Montgomery County is located in the Triassic Lowland and Piedmont Upland section of the Piedmont Physiographic Province, and Lower Merion lies entirely within the Piedmont Upland portion of the formation. The Piedmont Upland area was formed during the Paleozoic era, when southeastern Pennsylvania was then at the edge of an eastward extending continental land mass. This land area was composed of Precambrian metamorphic and igneous rocks, which are now exposed in the schists and gneisses of the Piedmont Uplands.

Map B-l indicates the three basic geological formations found in Lower Merion based on ground water yields. Major rock formations underlying Lower Merion Township are Granite Gneiss and Granite; Wissahickon Schist; and Granite Gneiss. The Granite Gneiss and Granite formation consists of a combination of granite and allied rocks, whose properties vary widely because of the number of different rocks that are mixed together. This formation usually yields a large quantity of water, and is located in Lower Merion roughly from City Line Avenue to the northern end of Narberth.

The Wissahickon rock formations occur in an area between Narberth and Ithan-Lafayette Roads. This type of rock is characterized by laminations along which the rock may be easily broken (schists), and by coursely bonded metamorphic rock (gneisses). The bonding developes due to the light and dark mineral alterations. Water supply yields are small to moderate.

The Granite Gneiss formation is found from Ithan-Layfayette Roads to Upper Merion Township and is composed mostly of quartz, feldspar and hornblende. Water yields are small to large.

All information in this section has been derived from a report entitled National Environment 1971 by the Montgomery County Planning Commission.

SOILS FEATURES

In order to determine the development capabilities and limitations of the township's land area the various soils categories are identified in this section. Soils characteristics are important because they determine the ability of the soil to withstand development and to absorb and filter sewerage. Also extremely important is the ability of the soil to absorb additional water runoff, the degree that soils are damaged by erosion, and the amount of flooding that occurs in flood areas. The following analysis therefore describes the basic traits of the ten different types of soils found in the township.

Generalized Soil Associations

1. Made Land - Glenelg - Chester Association

As noted on map B-2 the entire township contains two of the eleven soil associations found throughout the county. Land which is already extensively covered with development is classified as Made Land because the original soil features have been obliterated by construction activities and grading. The remaining Glenelg and Chester soils are well drained are nearly level to gently sloping. On map B-2 this association covers the southern portion of the township which is completely developed, and the rural areas in the northern part of the township which are outside the stream bed and steep slope areas.

2. Manor - Glenelg - Made Land Association

These are moderately deep and well drained soils underlain by schist and gneiss, and located on hilly uplands. The hilly areas contain steep, wooded slopes, and residential developments on large lots. These soils are adjacent to streams that have deeply disected the uplands.

In general these soils are not well suited for intensive agricultural uses, and have some limitations for extensive development. Primarily these soils are best suited for parks and open space because they are on steep slopes, contain stony areas, and have moderate to low available moisture capacity.

3. Summary of Generalized Soil Association Features

Figure B-l

GENERALIZED SOIL ASSOCIATIONS

SOIL DESCRIPTIONS

1. Bouldery Alluvial (BO)

These are soils in flood plains and along streams which consist of level or gentle sloping land covered by boulders and stones. Often these soils occur along with the Hatboro and Codorus soils. Bouldery alluvial soils are subject to flooding several times a year. In late fall, winter and spring the water table is at or near the surface. The hazard of flooding prohibits the use of these soil areas for development.

2. Chester Silt Loam (CG)

This type of soil is deep and well drained, and is located on level and gently sloping land. The surface layer is about eight inches thick, and is dark brown. The subsoil, about thirty inches thick is dark yellowish brown, firm when in place but broken into small blocks when disturbed, Typically bedrock can be found at about six feet, although this can vary between five and nine feet. The Chester soils are medium to strongly acid, with moderate permeability and high moisture capacity. They have few limitations when used for residential development, and the hazard from erosion is slight to moderate where the slopes are under three percent. Precautions to prevent erosion should take place when the slope exceeds three percent.

3. Codorus Silt Loam (CH)

These soils, like the bouldery alluvial, occur on flood plains and are unsuitable for development. The surface layer is typically dark brown about eight inches thick, while the substratum contains flakes of mica. Depth to bedrock ranges from three to six feet. Codorus soils are medium acid, with a high water table in late fall, winter and early spring, and are therefore subject to flooding during such periods. Flooding can also occur in summer after storms. While the hazard of erosion is slight because of the gentle slopes, the high water table and flooding make these areas unsuitable for any type of development.

4. Glenelg Silt Loam (GN)

The Glenelg soils are moderately deep to deep soils, well drained, on gentle to moderately steep slopes. The dark brown silt loam is about eight inches thick, while the substratum is about two feet thick. Depth to bedrock ranges from two and one half to five feet. Water permeability is moderate in the subsoil, but becomes moderately rapid in the substratum. Glenelg soils also are moderately to very strongly acid, requiring corrective measures wherever crops and plants are grown. On three to eight percent slopes the closeness of bedrock may make septic tanks unfeasible. In addition, on eight to fifteen percent slopes the surface runoff is medium to rapid, and precautions should be taken to prevent erosion. On slopes from fifteen to twenty-five percent the surface runoff is rapid and the hazard from erosion is severe. Consequently the Glenelg soil is well suited to residential development in the moderate slope ranges, and can receive limited residential development in the steeper areas provided proper site control features are incorporated to protect the soil and prevent erosion.

5. Glenville Silt Loam (GS)

The Glenville soils occur on nearly level and gently sloping land, but permeability is slow which is a detriment for septic tank installations. The topsoil is about eight inches thick, and the substrata is about two feet thick. Depth to bedrock ranges from four to eight feet. These soils are also very strongly acid. The seasonal high water table and the lack of permeability and good drainage is a severe limitation for use in residential developments, especially where septic tanks must be used.

In Lower Merion there are very few areas where this poor development soil occurs to any great extent. Basically there are three pockets of Glenville soil, all in the northern part of the township. Two of the areas are not serviced by municipal sewer systems. The first area of Glenville soil is located at the headwater of Saw Mill Run, between Stoney Lane and Colton Road. It extends southward just over Conshohocken State Road. The second area is the largest pocket of Glenville soil, and is basically associated with Arrowmink Creek. It extends eastward from the Creek to Spring Mill Road, and is bounded on the south by Morris Avenue and on the north by Pine Wood Road. Portions of this pocket extend eastward across Spring Mill Road. The last area of Glenville soil is a narrow strip along the western side of the branch of Mill Creek near Great Spring Road. All of this area is serviced with municipal sewers.

6. Hatboro Silt Loam (HA)

The Hatboro soil is situated in flood plains, and consequently is unusable for development. The surface layer of soil is about ten inches thick, and bedrock can be found at depths ranging from four to eight feet. This soil has a high acid contest and moderately slow permeability. The water table is very high, creating a hazard for flood conditions and all types of development.

7. Made Land (MD)

Made land consists of soil that has been so altered through construction development that the original soil characteristics are no longer identifiable. This usually takes place during grading and leveling of development sites, highway construction, and the building of other structures such as parking lots and sediment basins. Made soils in Lower Merion occupy the southern half of the township where density of development is greatest, and scattered areas elsewhere throughout the township consisting almost entirely of residential developments. However, made land does not always cover an area entirely, and therefore certain conclusions can be made, derived from the original soil characteristics which still have an influence on these built-up areas.

In Lower Merion the made land consists almost entirely of schist and gneiss materials which are found on moderatley sloped land (3 to 8%) and steeply sloped land (15 to 25%). The moderately sloped land contains a large amount of mica, and has a variable depth to bedrock which sometimes crops out at the surface. In depressions and low areas, the water table comes close to the surface during winter and spring. The soil is acid, and erosion can be a problem unless adequate cover is provided.

The steeply sloped made land occurs on narrow areas on hillsides and along streams. Because water runoff is rapid, there is a hazard of erosion taking place. In addition, most of these areas are poorly suited for septic tank systems.

8. Manor Channery Silt Loam (MH)

The manor channery soils are moderately deep to deep soils with a surface layer that is about seven inches thick. Bedrock is about five feet from the surface, but can range from two to ten feet or more. This soil is acid, and has a low natural fertility.

In Lower Merion the soil is found on three slope ranges, 3 to 8 %; 8 to 15%; and 15 to 35%. On the 3 to 8% slopes the soil is moderately permeable and presents only a moderate hazard of erosion. Therefore there are few limitations for development. The 8 to 15% slope areas also have moderately rapid permeability, but since the slopes are greater the runoff is more rapid and the erosion hazard becomes moderate to severe. The varying bedrock also is a detrimental element for septic tanks. The last manor channery soil category, 15 to 35% slopes has rapid water runoff with a subsequently high hazard for erosion. Consequently there are severe limitations for residential development.

9. Manor Very Stony (MN)

Manor very stony lands are actually a sub-category of the manor series, and are characterized by the increased amount of sones in the soil. The stones are flat, about four to twelve inches thick and about fifteen to thirty inches in diameter. Where the slope is 0 to 8% the soil is moderately permeable with a slight erosion hazard. Therefore these areas are suitable for construction and development. In places where these soils occur on 8 to 25% slopes, the hazard of erosion is increased, and the limitations for development become moderate to severe.

10. Stony Land, Steep (ST)

As the name implies these are stony soils that occur on slopes over 25%. Because of the large amount of stone in the soil and the steep slopes, these areas are only suitable for open space and recreational uses.

GENERALIZED SOIL LOCATION MAP (MAP B-3)

The ten soils described above have been grouped together by suitability factors into three major categories and plotted on map B-3. The Hatboro, Codorus, Stoney and Bouldery Alluvial soils form one group because these soils are associated with flood plains and are not suitable for development. Map B-3 indicates that all of these poor soils are situated in and immediately adjacent to most of the streams in the township. Development in these areas should be prohibited.

The second mapped category comprises the Chester, Glenelg, Glenville, Manor Channery and Manor Very Stony soils, These soils are most suited for development, and are basically located in the land areas between the stream locations in the northern part of the township. The degree of development potential varies, with the more steeply situated land being less capable of receiving intensive development.

The last mapped category is Made Land. The bulk of this land is situated in the southern portion of the township which contains the largest percentage of the township's population. As noted above, although these soils contain development, they can still be severly eroded where not covered by man made activities.

SOIL SURVEY MAP (MAP B-4)

All of the soils contained in the township have been mapped as to specific locations. These maps are contained in a publication called Soil Survey, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 1967, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The maps are too extensive to contain in this plan, but an example is included in map B-4 to illustrate the level of detail and information available. The reader should refer to this source for specific data on subject sites.

DEVELOPMENT LIMITATIONS

The characteristics of all the soils found in the township have been summarized in Figure B-2 to illustrate limitations to development. The major limitations consist of steep slopes, erosion, flooding and lack of on-site sewerage capability.

Figure B-2

SOIL PROPERTY LIMITATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

FLOOD PLAINS (MAP B-5)

A flood plain can be defined as an area subject to frequent, periodic flooding, and delineated as alluvial soils by the Soil Conservation Service, and as to elevations in the township flood plain ordinance. Map B-5 indicates the flood plain areas of the township, which are a combination of soil data and flood plain locations as noted on the township's existing flood plain maps. The latter map has been compiled to implement the flood plain ordinance, and designates a set distance on both sides of all streams as flood plains. The flood plain ordinance essentially prohibits all major development on these flood plain locations, and provides for administrative remedies for redefining the locations on a lot by lot basis. Thus the flood plain ordinance and map insures the protection of these environmental areas, and decreases the potential loss to man from damage by flooding.

Map B-5 also indicates how these flood streams collect water from minor and major drainage basins. The township is divided into two sections which flow into different drainage basins. The line separating these two areas runs roughly along Montgomery Avenue from City Line Avenue to the northern end of Narberth. From there it crosses over to Lancaster Avenue and continues through Bryn Mawr to Delaware County. All of the lands on the south side of this line drain into the Darby Creek Drainage Basin, and the lands on the north side flow into the Schuylkill River Basin. In addition, the Schuylkill River drainage portion is further divided into minor drainage basins. The map indicates four separate minor basins, with the Mill Creek basin being the most extensive system.

The national protection area noted on map B-5 is derived from the Montgomery County Planning Commission report entitled National Environment Protection Area Study, 1973. These areas are listed as unprotected concentrated amenity areas, and are recommended for future preservation. Basically this protection area consists of the steep slopes around the northern edge of the township and three of the major stream valley areas.

The last item shown on Map B-5 is a ground water recharge area that is being overpumped. That is, more water is being drawn from this area than is being fed back into the ground from natural sources. The area is in the northern corner of the township, and is just one part of an extensive recharge area that continues into other parts of the county. The water supply is being drawn from a point outside the township, but this corner of Lower Merion helps feed this particular recharge system. The data source for this information is the Comprehensive Water Quality Management Plan for Lower Delaware and Schuylkill River Basins, prepared in February 1975 by Chester-Betz Engineers for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources. Since this corner of the township is sparsely developed, and no major water runoff systems have been designed to channel water runoff into other areas, it appears that Lower Merion is not.contributing to this water supply problem. Rather it appears that more water is being pumped out than is normally contributed from ground recharge systems in Lower Merion Township.

Overall map B-5 illustrates that most of Lower Merlon's water systems are located in areas of least development. This affords the opportunity to institute or continue measures to protect these resources along with compatible land use development in the future.