2016 HOWARD COUNTY WATERSHED REPORT CARD Student Scientists in Action
Streams Final Grade:
South Branch + Patapsco Marriotts C Ridge • Presence of sensitive macroinvertebrates • Stream bank restoration needed Brighton Dam Mount Hebron • Overall low biological rating • More sampling needed Glenelg Middle Patuxent Centennial River Homewood Schoolyards Final Grade: Center Little Howard Patuxent River Patapsco River Lower North Branch Wilde River Hill Lake Oakland Mills Long Stream Reach D- Testing Site Atholton
• More storm drains stenciled Hammond • Impervious surfaces concern
• Waste management Rocky Gorge Reservoir Dam
Schoolyards Studied Patuxent Atholton High ...... ■ Marriotts Ridge High . . .■ River Upper Centennial High ...... ■ Mt . Hebron High ...... ■ Glenelg High ...... ■ Oakland Mills High . . . . ■ Hammond High ...... ■ Reservoir High ...... ■ Homewood Center . . . . ■ River Hill High ...... ■ Howard High ...... ■ Wilde Lake High ...... ■ Long Reach High . . . . . ■ KEY Good Moderate Streams Studied Poor Lower Patapsco at Avalon ...... ■ South Branch Patapsco at Mt. Pleasant ...... ■ Middle Patuxent at Gorman Park ...... ■ Little Patuxent at Farewell Road ...... ■ Little Patuxent at Lake Elkhorn ...... ■ Middle Patuxent at Southwind Trail ...... ■ Patuxent at Shady Lane ...... ■
This year all students were able to participate in both a schoolyard and offsite stream study thanks to support from the NOAA BWET program. Nutrients in 2015 18 KEY Nitrate 12 Nitrite Phosphate 6
0 Nutrient LOWER PATAPSCO SOUTH BRANCH MIDDLE PATUXENT LITTLE PATUXENT LITTLE PATUXENT MIDDLE PATUXENT PATUXENT (mg/L) at Avalon PATAPSCO at Gorman Park at Farewell Road at Lake Elkhorn at Southwind Trail at Shady Lane at Mt. Pleasant The health of a stream can be determined by measuring nitrate, nitrite, and phosphate levels . Students sampled water chemistry twice at each sampling site using API test kits . Nitrates and phosphates are major ingredients of fertilizers, septic tanks and animal wastes that can be washed into a sub-watershed area . Both nitrates and phosphates are necessary for plant growth, however high levels of these nutrients could cause algae blooms and negatively affect stream life . Sensitive Macroinvertebrate Chart CADDISFLIES MAYFLIES STONEFLIES WATER PENNIES HELLGRAMMITES Lower Patapsco at Avalon ● ● ● South Branch Patapsco at Mt. Pleasant ● Middle Patuxent at Gorman Park ● ● ● ● Little Patuxent at Farewell Road ● ● Little Patuxent at Lake Elkhorn ● ● Middle Patuxent at Southwind Trail ● ● ● ● Patuxent at Shady Lane ● ● ● ● ●
Macroinvertebrates are often used in studies to determine the water quality due to their known pollution tolerances, limited mobility and dependence on the land environment around the stream . The sensitive macroinvertebrtaes are of particular importance, because they do not tolerate high levels of pollution . At each stream site, students searched riffles, under cobbles and leaf matter, and through root wads using D-Nets to find a variety of macroinvertebrates . Through a partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), students had their observations verified by an on-site Natural Resources Biologist . In addition, DNR compared the current macroinvertebrates tally sheet to the data for over 2,000 Maryland streams in order to validate student findings . Working with DNR not only enhanced the student field experience but also increased the scientific rigor of the project . The work that these students completed over the course of this year resulted in the creation of a new tool for citizen science. Overall Schoolyard Data 16 Needs Improvement A = 0–2 B = 2.1–4 C = 4.1–6 D = 6.1–9 E = ≥ 9.1 12
8
4
5 .55 8 .45 9 .0 6 .6 7 .5 11 .5 4 .9 10 .08 10 .01 9 .58 11 .5 6 .37 12 .7 0 Best Atholton Centennial Glenelg Hammond Homewood Howard Long Reach Mt. Hebron Marriotts Ridge Oakland Mills Reservoir River Hill Wilde Lake Practices High School High School High School High School Center High School High School High School High School High School High School High School High School Students collected data on erosion, downspouts, drain inlets, parking lots, dumpsters, grease containers, turf management, water chemistry, permeable surfaces and invasive plants to determine their schoolyard’s final score . The lower values reflect evidence of effective stormwater management practices .
The ultimate goal of the program was for students to develop an appreciation of Howard County and its watersheds. Students in the program were engaged in practices as scientists in an effort to collect authentic data. Note: The data is not MBSS (Maryland Biological Stream Survey) certified. Student Scientist Feedback and Recommendations Stream Feedback Stream Recommendations Lower Patapsco at Avalon Lower Patapsco at Avalon Wide diversity of macroinvertebrates Restore stream banks with native plantings to slow erosion and filter pollutants . Concerns for stream bank erosion, low Post signs in both English and Spanish about littering and pet waste collection . dissolved oxygen and high nitrate levels Advocate for community waste clean up . Scattered trash Little Patuxent at Lake Elkhorn South Branch Patapsco Increase plantings in riparian zone to decrease bank erosion and slow the rate of at Mt. Pleasant water runoff . Advocate for storm drain stenciling; contact county official regarding stream restoration . Good water quality Very poor benthic Middle Patuxent at Gorman Park macroinvertebrate count Stabilize stream banks through targeted plantings, decrease nitrates and pollution Severe stream bank erosion entering stream, advocate regular trash clean ups . Little Patuxent at Farewell Road Middle Patuxent at Gorman Park Increase riparian buffer to reduce erosion and sedimentation . Advocate for commu- Found one very sensitive nity trash pick up and proper disposal of dog waste . macroinvertebrate: stonefly Overall low macroinvertebrate count South Branch Patapsco at Mt. Pleasant Increase riparian buffer, advocate site clean ups to reduce water pollution . Concerns about stream bank erosion Stencil storm drains and inform community about impact of dog waste . and nitrate levels Middle Patuxent at Southwind Trail Little Patuxent at Farewell Road Bank stabilization with targeted plantings, install rain garden at school to decrease Some natural bends in stream erosion and sedimentation . Very low biological rating, concerns Patuxent at Shady Lane about stream bank erosion Trash clean up, stabilize banks and educate local residents . Trash near streams Moderate sedimentation Little Patuxent at Lake Elkhorn Schoolyard Feedback Found little nutrient pollution Atholton High Marriotts Ridge High Average floodplain vegetation Second highest overall rating Carpool sign and bike racks present Poor macroinvertebrate score Concerns about compacted soil and Stormwater pond buffer needs Stream bank erosion canopy coverage improvement Schoolyard trash evident Middle Patuxent at Southwind Trail Centennial High Wide stream buffer and evidence of No mow meadow present Mt. Hebron High natural stream alteration existed Invasive species bordering schoolyard Stormwater pond buffer evident Poor biological rating Glenelg High Dumpster and grease container Found stream bank erosion Water pollution a concern leakage Rocks and cobbles were more than Improvements needed in stormwater Trash in schoolyard half way buried in sediment and silt management area Oakland Mills High Patuxent at Shady Lane Natural wetland area exists on grounds Native garden present Several sensitive macroinvertebrates Hammond High Rain barrels needed to support found Schoolyard pollution on-site gardens Concerns with nitrate results Highly invasive wavy leaf basket Reservoir High Stream bank erosion grass bordering forest areas Parking lot pollution and erosion areas Homewood Center in schoolyard New trees planted Native garden and storm drains High level of phosphate in stenciled stormwater pond River Hill High Howard High Third highest overall rating Concerns about high amount Invasive plant species bordering of impervious surfaces and invasive plants schoolyard Waste management needs attention Concerns about impervious surface New trees planted in the fall Wilde Lake High Using downspout water for Long Reach High rain garden Highest overall rating Concerns with dumpster spill Stenciled storm drains and overflows Need compost bin signage Little forest cover Schoolyard Recommendations Student advocates recommend the following changes:
Rain Garden Native Plants Green Roof Storm Drain Updates Update Waste Mgt. No Mow Meadow Rain Barrels Atholton High School ● ● Centennial High School ● ● Glenelg High School ● ● Hammond High School ● ● Homewood Center ● ● Howard High School ● ● ● Long Reach High School ● Marriotts Ridge High School ● ● ● ● Mt. Hebron High School ● ● ● Oakland Mills High School ● ● ● Reservoir High School ● ● River Hill High School ● ● Wilde Lake High School ● ●
Looking toward the future Students want to be able to compare fall versus spring data, especially at their local streams . As the program grows, having longi- tudinal data would be helpful in understanding cycles and trends . We are exploring ways to include more students in the water- shed initiative . With our partners, we are also beginning to work on a statewide student report card . About the program This program was designed to provide the opportunity for all Howard County Public School biology students to participate in quarterly watershed analysis activities, examine and critique local policies, advocate with decision makers and make informed environmental decisions . More than 1,200 students participated in this year alone! This year long experience provides the oppor- tunity for students to engage in an authentic and meaningful science project . Thank you to the following teachers Rita Allen Jessica Kohout Watershed Coaches Rebecca Bennett Paul Mandl Pam Bryce Alyson Donoghue Kerry Martin Mark Buehlman Jodi Duff Jessica Montminy Diane Cockrell Kimberly Eddy Jamie Proctor Charlotte Harris David Griffin Karen Reynolds Stephanie Holzman Nate’ Hall Paul Sabota Devon Kosisky Shalonda Holt Jennifer Shepard Ann Strozyk David Hong Tonia Thomas-Padilla Janice Winter Suzanne Hughes Devorah Urszuy Annette Kelly Suzi Young Margaret Klotz Photo credits to Emily Calkins and Nick Rhiner
Thank you to the following supporters