All of Chester Township drains into the Chagrin River or its tributaries. Therefore, Chester plays a vital role in the quality of the Chagrin River watershed. The Chagrin River watershed drains 267 square miles in four Northeast Ohio counties, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Portage Counties. Portions of twenty two municipalities, ten townships, and four park districts govern land use and other activities in the watershed.

The Main Branch of the Chagrin River begins as the Upper Main Branch above Bass Lake in Munson Township and flows 48 miles before entering Lake Erie in the City of Eastlake. Along its path, the Main Branch is joined by the River’s other branches - the Aurora Branch, flowing from the City of Aurora and meeting the Main Branch in the Village of Bentleyville, and the East Branch, beginning in Geauga County and joining the Main Branch in the City of Willoughby.

The Chagrin River watershed has been studied since the late 1960's with the completion of the Water Quality of the Rocky and Chagrin Rivers by the Three Rivers Watershed District in August, 1970. This report, prepared by Havens and Emerson, Ltd. Engineers, presents and discusses water quality data collected on the Chagrin and Rocky Rivers from 1969 and 1970. Since the work of the Three River, the Chagrin River watershed has been the subject of numerous additional studies. Important studies include those completed by OEPA (1987, 1991, 1997, 2003/2004), Cuyahoga County Health Department (1998), and ODNR (2000).

Each community has completed comprehensive plans and local zoning regulations. These plans are based on the desired and anticipated development of each community and incorporate land capability analyses. The regional planning agencies such as NEFCO and NOACA also work with communities to develop updated 208 Water Quality Improvement Plans. Specifically, the 208 Plans focus on planned sewer expansions and management of home sewage systems.

Beginning March 10, 2003 the US EPA and Ohio EPA NPDES Phase II Storm Water Regulations required designated communities of witch Chester Township is one, to develop and implement a stormwater management plan. Chester Township is currently in its seconde five year permit as part of the National NPDES Phase II program. The Phase II  program is composed of six minimum control measures. These include:

1. Public Education,

2. Public Involvement,

3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

4. Construction Site Runoff Control,

5. Post Construction Site Runoff Control, and

6. Good Housekeeping.

This information was taken from the Chagrin River Watershed Partners INC. Action Plan, available here.

STORMWATER LINKS:
CHAGRIN RIVER WATERSHED PARTNERS INC. | OHIO DRAINAGE LAWS
RECIPES FOR A HEALTHY CHAGRIN RIVER (CRWP INC.) | GEAUGA SOIL AND WATER | WATERSHED PUBLICATIONS