DOCSLIB.ORG

South Branch Patapsco River Watershed Characterization Plan

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
South Branch Patapsco River Watershed Characterization Plan South Branch Patapsco River Watershed Characterization Plan Spring 2016 Prepared by Carroll County Bureau of Resource Management South Branch Patapsco Watershed Characterization Plan Table of Contents List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ iv List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. iv List of Appendices .......................................................................................................................... v List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................... vi I. Characterization Introduction ................................................................................................. 1 A. Purpose of the Characterization ....................................................................................... 1 B. Location and Scale of Analysis ........................................................................................ 1 C. Report Organization ......................................................................................................... 3 II. Natural Characteristics ............................................................................................................ 5 A. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 5 B. Climate ............................................................................................................................. 5 C. Physical Location ............................................................................................................. 7 1. Topography ................................................................................................................... 7 2. Soils ............................................................................................................................ 10 a. Hydrologic Soil Groups .......................................................................................... 10 3. Geology ...................................................................................................................... 13 D. Surface Water Resources ............................................................................................... 15 1. Wetlands ..................................................................................................................... 15 2. Floodplains ................................................................................................................. 18 3. Forest .......................................................................................................................... 20 a. Forest Cover ............................................................................................................ 20 E. Ecologically Important Areas......................................................................................... 22 F. Groundwater Resources ................................................................................................. 24 III. Human Characteristics ...................................................................................................... 25 A. Population....................................................................................................................... 25 B. Baseline and Current Land Cover .................................................................................. 25 C. Priority Funding Areas, Zoning and Build Out .............................................................. 28 1. Priority Funding Areas ............................................................................................... 28 2. Zoning and Build-Out ................................................................................................. 28 D. Impervious Surfaces ....................................................................................................... 32 E. Stormwater ..................................................................................................................... 34 1. Stormwater Management Facilities ............................................................................ 34 2. Storm Drain Systems .................................................................................................. 35 F. Drinking Water ............................................................................................................... 37 1. Wellhead Protection Areas ......................................................................................... 37 2. Public Water Service Area ......................................................................................... 37 3. Water Supply .............................................................................................................. 37 G. Wastewater ..................................................................................................................... 39 1. Public Wastewater Service Area ................................................................................ 39 2. Wastewater Discharge Locations ............................................................................... 39 3. On-Site Septic Systems .............................................................................................. 40 ii South Branch Patapsco Watershed Characterization Plan H. NPDES Point Sources .................................................................................................... 42 I. Protected Lands .............................................................................................................. 43 1. Rural Legacy Program ................................................................................................ 43 J. Agricultural Best Management Practices ....................................................................... 47 1. Farm Plan Acres ......................................................................................................... 47 IV. Water Quality .................................................................................................................... 49 A. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 49 B. Designated Uses ............................................................................................................. 49 C. Tier II Waters ................................................................................................................. 50 D. Total Maximum Daily Loads ......................................................................................... 50 1. Current Impairments ................................................................................................... 50 E. Water Quality Data......................................................................................................... 52 1. Current Monitoring ..................................................................................................... 52 2. Maryland Biological Stream Survey .......................................................................... 54 a. Maryland’s DNR Results ........................................................................................ 54 V. Living Resources .................................................................................................................. 59 A. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 59 B. Aquatic Biology ............................................................................................................. 59 1. Index of Biotic Integrity ............................................................................................. 60 a. Maryland’s DNR Results ........................................................................................ 60 b. Carroll County Results ............................................................................................ 62 C. Sensitive Species ............................................................................................................ 66 1. Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................................. 66 D. Stream Corridor Assessment .......................................................................................... 66 1. Subwatershed Summary ............................................................................................. 71 VI. Characterization Summary ................................................................................................ 73 A. Summary ........................................................................................................................ 73 B. Cost Summary ................................................................................................................ 73 VII. References: ........................................................................................................................ 74 iii South Branch Patapsco Watershed Characterization Plan List of Figures Figure 1-1 South Branch Patapsco Watershed Location Map ........................................................ 2 Figure 2-1 South Branch Patapsco Subwatershed Locations ........................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Gunpowder River
    Table of Contents 1. Polluted Runoff in Baltimore County 2. Map of Baltimore County – Percentage of Hard Surfaces 3. Baltimore County 2014 Polluted Runoff Projects 4. Fact Sheet – Baltimore County has a Problem 5. Sources of Pollution in Baltimore County – Back River 6. Sources of Pollution in Baltimore County – Gunpowder River 7. Sources of Pollution in Baltimore County – Middle River 8. Sources of Pollution in Baltimore County – Patapsco River 9. FAQs – Polluted Runoff and Fees POLLUTED RUNOFF IN BALTIMORE COUNTY Baltimore County contains the headwaters for many of the streams and tributaries feeding into the Patapsco River, one of the major rivers of the Chesapeake Bay. These tributaries include Bodkin Creek, Jones Falls, Gwynns Falls, Patapsco River Lower North Branch, Liberty Reservoir and South Branch Patapsco. Baltimore County is also home to the Gunpowder River, Middle River, and the Back River. Unfortunately, all of these streams and rivers are polluted by nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment and are considered “impaired” by the Maryland Department of the Environment, meaning the water quality is too low to support the water’s intended use. One major contributor to that pollution and impairment is polluted runoff. Polluted runoff contaminates our local rivers and streams and threatens local drinking water. Water running off of roofs, driveways, lawns and parking lots picks up trash, motor oil, grease, excess lawn fertilizers, pesticides, dog waste and other pollutants and washes them into the streams and rivers flowing through our communities. This pollution causes a multitude of problems, including toxic algae blooms, harmful bacteria, extensive dead zones, reduced dissolved oxygen, and unsightly trash clusters.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Quick Reference
    2021 2021 12, Quick Reference August 1. Maintain and improve environmental quality and encourage economic prosperity while preserving the county’s rural character. 2. Promote land use, planning, and development concepts and practices that support citizens’ health, safety, well-being, individual rights and the economic viability of Carroll County. 3. Maintain safe and adequate drinking water and other water supplies including efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay. 4. Strive to protect our natural resources for future generations. Solar Panel Surface Area Maximum Square Footage for Ground-Mounted Systems in Lot Size Residential Zones <= ½ acre 120 square feet >½ acre 240 square feet >1 acre to 3 acres 480 square feet Aggregate square footage of the roof, or >3 acres roofs of structures, situated on the subject property In May 2021, the Commissioners amended the County Zoning Code to allow community solar energy generating systems (CSEGSs) on remaining portions in the Agricultural Zone. The Code requires a permanent easement on the rest of the property, co-location with agricultural uses or pollinator friendly plantings, and landscaped screening. An outreach booklet provides information on the amendment. The County installed solar arrays on 3 different County properties – Carroll Community College, Hoods Mill Landfill, and Hampstead WWTP – to conserve energy and realize cost savings. These facilities came online in 2018. In 2018, Carroll County received a Silver Designation by the national Fiscal Year # of Permits SolSmart program. 2015 383 2016 606 2017 463 2018 312 2019 194 2020 157 Carroll protected 102 miles of buffered streams under easements. As of December 2020, water recharge areas were protected on 3,599 acres incorporated into 27 easements.
    [Show full text]
  • Patuxent River and Patapsco River Watershed Assessments Howard County, Maryland
    HOWARD COUNTY STORMWATER MANAGEMENT DIVISION Patuxent River and Patapsco River Watershed Assessments Howard County, Maryland Thorough watershed assessment helps Howard County, Maryland chart the course toward county-wide water quality improvement. conducted stream assessments For the second phase of of the County’s two water- each watershed assessment, sheds: the Southern Middle Biohabitats developed con- Patuxent, and the Patapsco cepts for the highest priority River South Branch. The goal proposed retrofit and res- of the assessments was to toration opportunities. The identify and prioritize oppor- concepts, which included tunities to improve water qual- approaches such as channel ity through stream restoration, stabilization, Regenerative outfall stabilization, new Stormwater Conveyance stormwater Best Management (RSC), bioretention facili- Practices (BMP), tree planting, ties, and tree plantings, were and BMP conversion projects. designed to provide eco- The assessments integrated ele- logical habitat and stormwater from top: Watershed assessment of Howard County’s ments of the Stream Corridor filtration while also helping natural resources; Severly eroded initial conditions Assessment (SCA), Rapid the County estimate imple- Bioassessment Protocol (RBP), mentation costs and meet oward County’s Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit Bank Assessment for Non- Total Maximum Daily Load H Water Management requirement. To tackle the point source Consequences (TMDL) targets established Division set an ambitious daunting task that encom- of Sediment (BANCS), and for phosphorus and sediment goal of performing compre- passed a 253-square-mile Retrofit Reconnaissance in the local watersheds. hensive assessments of the study area, Howard County Inventory (RRI) with other County’s watersheds over a turned to their team of on- qualitative site data on the SERVICES two-year period to satisfy their call consultants.
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Assessment of the Patapsco River Tributary Watersheds, Howard County, Maryland
    Biological Assessment of the Patapsco River Tributary Watersheds, Howard County, Maryland Spring 2003 Index Period and Summary of Round One County- Wide Assessment Patuxtent River April, 2005 Final Report UT to Patuxtent River Biological Assessment of the Patapsco River Tributary Watersheds, Howard County, Maryland Spring 2003 Index Period and Summary of Round One County-wide Assessment Prepared for: Howard County, Maryland Department of Public Works Stormwater Management Division 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Ste. 514 Columbia, MD 21046-3143 Prepared by: Tetra Tech, Inc. 400 Red Brook Blvd., Ste. 200 Owings Mills, MD 21117 Acknowledgement The principal authors of this report are Kristen L. Pavlik and James B. Stribling, both of Tetra Tech. They were also assisted by Erik W. Leppo. This document reports results from three of the six subwatersheds sampled during the Spring Index Period of the third year of biomonitoring by the Howard County Stormwater Management Division. Fieldwork was conducted by Tetra Tech staff including Kristen Pavlik, Colin Hill, David Bressler, Jennifer Pitt, and Amanda Richardson. All laboratory sample processing was conducted by Carolina Gallardo, Shabaan Fundi, Curt Kleinsorg, Chad Bogues, Joey Rizzo, Elizabeth Yarborough, Jessica Garrish, Chris Hines, and Sara Waddell. Taxonomic identification was completed by Dr. R. Deedee Kathman and Todd Askegaard; Aquatic Resources Center (ARC). Hunt Loftin, Linda Shook, and Brenda Decker (Tetra Tech) assisted with budget tracking and clerical support. This work was completed under the Howard County Purchase Order L 5305 to Tetra Tech, Inc. The enthusiasm and interest of the staff in the Stormwater Management Division, including Howard Saltzman and Angela Morales is acknowledged and appreciated.
    [Show full text]
  • Attorney General's 2013 Chesapeake Bay
    TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 2 CHAPTER ONE: LIBERTY AND PRETTYBOY RESERVOIRS ......................................................... 5 I. Background ...................................................................................................................................... 5 II. Active Enforcement Efforts and Pending Matters ........................................................................... 8 III. The Liberty Reservoir and Prettyboy Reservoir Audit, May 29, 2013: What the Attorney General Learned .............................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER TWO: THE WICOMICO RIVER ........................................................................................ 14 I. Background .................................................................................................................................... 14 II. Active Enforcement and Pending Matters ..................................................................................... 16 III. The Wicomico River Audit, July 15, 2013: What the Attorney General Learned ......................... 18 CHAPTER THREE: ANTIETAM CREEK ............................................................................................ 22 I. Background .................................................................................................................................... 22 II. Active
    [Show full text]
  • Water Resources
    2009 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Water Resources 2009 CITY OF WESTMINSTER Water Resources 2009 What is the Water Resources Element? Community Vision for During its 2008 General Session, the Maryland General Water Assembly, as part of section 1.03 (iii) of Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland, mandated that all Maryland The City’s ability to provide water to counties and municipalities exercising planning and residents and businesses has become an zoning authority prepare and adopt a Water Resources issue of great importance in recent years. Element in their Comprehensive Plans. According to the 2008 Community Survey, 65% of residents are satisfied with Requirements: the quality of water in Westminster, while Identify drinking water and other water resources others were concerned with the quality of that will be adequate for the needs of existing and their water service. future development Residents would like to improved water Identify suitable receiving waters and land areas to service in terms of improved meet the storm water management and wastewater communication. For example, residents treatment and disposal needs of existing and future development would like the City give proper notification when performing sewer or Purpose: water system repairs, as those repairs affect water pressure or the color of water. To ensure the Comprehensive Plan integrates water resources issues and potential solutions Residents also suggested that the City create incentives for residents to conserve To outline how management of water, wastewater and stormwater will support planned growth, given water in order to ensure reliable water water resource limitations service can continue into the future. Water Resources Priorities: State Planning Visions found in this Element: Water supply availability Infrastructure: Growth areas have the water resources and infrastructure to accommodate Reclaimed water use population and business expansion in an orderly, efficient, and environmentally sound manner.
    [Show full text]
  • The Patapsco Regional Greenway the Patapsco Regional Greenway
    THE PATAPSCO REGIONAL GREENWAY THE PATAPSCO REGIONAL GREENWAY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS While the Patapsco Regional Greenway Concept Plan and Implementation Matrix is largely a community effort, the following individuals should be recognized for their input and contribution. Mary Catherine Cochran, Patapsco Heritage Greenway Dan Hudson, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Rob Dyke, Maryland Park Service Joe Vogelpohl, Maryland Park Service Eric Crawford, Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park and Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) Ed Dixon, MORE Chris Eatough, Howard County Office of Transportation Tim Schneid, Baltimore Gas & Electric Pat McDougall, Baltimore County Recreation & Parks Molly Gallant, Baltimore City Recreation & Parks Nokomis Ford, Carroll County Department of Planning The Patapsco Regional Greenway 2 THE PATAPSCO REGIONAL GREENWAY TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................4 2 BENEFITS OF WALKING AND BICYCLING ...............14 3 EXISTING PLANS ...............................................18 4 TREATMENTS TOOLKIT .......................................22 5 GREENWAY MAPS .............................................26 6 IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX .................................88 7 FUNDING SOURCES ...........................................148 8 CONCLUSION ....................................................152 APPENDICES ........................................................154 Appendix A: Community Feedback .......................................155 Appendix B: Survey
    [Show full text]
  • Sewage and Wastewater Plants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed 21 Sewage Plants Violated Permit Limits in 2016; PA and VA Used Trading to Allow Pollution
    Sewage and Wastewater Plants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed 21 Sewage Plants Violated Permit Limits in 2016; PA and VA Used Trading to Allow Pollution NOVEMBER 29, 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report was researched and written by Courtney Bernhardt and Tom Pelton of the Environmental Integrity Project. THE ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT The Environmental Integrity Project (http://www.environmentalintegrity.org) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established in March of 2002 by former EPA enforcement attorneys to advocate for effective enforcement of environmental laws. EIP has three goals: 1) to provide objective analyses of how the failure to enforce or implement environmental laws increases pollution and affects public health; 2) to hold federal and state agencies, as well as individual corporations, accountable for failing to enforce or comply with environmental laws; and 3) to help local communities obtain the protection of environmental laws. For questions about this report, please contact EIP Director of Communications Tom Pelton at (202) 888-2703 or [email protected]. PHOTO CREDITS Cover photo of Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant from University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Photo of Back River WWTP by Tom Pelton. Photo of Monocacy River by Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Photo of Massanutten Wastewater Treatment Plant by Alan Lehman. Sewage and Wastewater Plants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Executive Summary Across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, 21 sewage treatment plants violated their permit limits last year by releasing excessive amounts of nitrogen or phosphorus pollution that fuel algal blooms and low-oxygen “dead zones” in waterways, according to an Environmental Integrity Project examination of federal and state records.1 The plants in violation included 12 municipal sewage facilities in Maryland that treat more than half of the state’s wastewater, with the most pollution coming from the state’s largest two facilities: Baltimore’s Back River and Patapsco wastewater treatment plants.
    [Show full text]
  • Recommended Maximum Fish Meals Each Year For
    Recommended Maximum Meals Each Year for Maryland Waters Recommendation based on 8 oz (0.227 kg) meal size, or the edible portion of 9 crabs (4 crabs for children) Meal Size: 8 oz - General Population; 6 oz - Women; 3 oz - Children NOTE: Consumption recommendations based on spacing of meals to avoid elevated exposure levels Recommended Meals/Year Species Waterbody General PopulationWomen* Children** Contaminants 8 oz meal 6 oz meal 3 oz meal Anacostia River 15 11 8 PCBs - risk driver Back River AVOID AVOID AVOID Pesticides*** Bush River 47 35 27 PCBs - risk driver Middle River 13 9 7 Northeast River 27 21 16 Patapsco River/Baltimore Harbor AVOID AVOID AVOID American Eel Patuxent River 26 20 15 Potomac River (DC Line to MD 301 1511 9 Bridge) South River 37 28 22 Centennial Lake No Advisory No Advisory No Advisory Methylmercury - risk driver Lake Roland 12 12 12 Pesticides*** - risk driver Liberty Reservoir 96 48 48 Methylmercury - risk driver Tuckahoe Lake No Advisory 93 56 Black Crappie Upper Potomac: DC Line to Dam #3 64 49 38 PCBs - risk driver Upper Potomac: Dam #4 to Dam #5 77 58 45 PCBs & Methylmercury - risk driver Crab meat Patapsco River/Baltimore Harbor 96 96 24 PCBs - risk driver Crab "mustard" Middle River DO NOT CONSUME Blue Crab Mid Bay: Middle to Patapsco River (1 meal equals 9 crabs) Patapsco River/Baltimore Harbor "MUSTARD" (for children: 4 crabs ) Other Areas of the Bay Eat Sparingly Anacostia 51 39 30 PCBs - risk driver Back River 33 25 20 Pesticides*** Middle River 37 28 22 Northeast River 29 22 17 Brown Bullhead Patapsco River/Baltimore Harbor 17 13 10 South River No Advisory No Advisory 88 * Women = of childbearing age (women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, or are nursing) ** Children = all young children up to age 6 *** Pesticides = banned organochlorine pesticide compounds (include chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, or heptachlor epoxide) As a general rule, make sure to wash your hands after handling fish.
    [Show full text]
  • HIGHEST and LOWEST ELEVATIONS in MARYLAND's COUNTIES Compiled by the Maryland Geological Survey, 2300 St
    FactSheet No. 1: HIGHEST AND LOWEST ELEVATIONS IN MARYLAND'S COUNTIES Compiled by the Maryland Geological Survey, 2300 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 (revised Feb. 18, 2005) COUNTY HIGH APPROXIMATE LOW APPROXIMATE LOCATION RELIEF (feet) LOCATION (feet) (feet) Allegany 2895 Dan's Rock 420 Potomac River at Sideling Hill 2475 Creek Anne Arundel 300 Fort Meade Rd., 0.25 mi. W of 0 Chesapeake Bay 300 Baltimore-Washington Pkwy Baltimore City $480 NW corner in vicinity of 0 Baltimore Harbor $480 Reisterstown Rd. (Patapsco River) Baltimore 966 Mason-Dixon Line near Stiltz, 0 Chesapeake Bay 966 Pa., on Middletown Rd. Calvert 168 Sunderland at jct Rte 4 & 262 0 Chesapeake Bay 168 Caroline 79 3 mi. W of Henderson, 0 Chesapeake Bay 79 N side of Bee Tree Rd. Carroll /1120 4 mi. NW of Manchester, 260 Patapsco River nr Marriottsville 858 0.6 mi. NW of Wentz Cecil 535 0.25 mi. S of Rock Springs 0 Chesapeake Bay 535 Charles 235 near Bolton, 4.5 mi. WNW of 0 Potomac River 235 Waldorf Dorchester 57 Johnson Road, 2.5 mi. E of 0 Chesapeake Bay 57 Williamsburg Frederick 1895 South Mountain, 2 mi. NW of 200 Potomac River at Monocacy 1695 Wolfsville River Garrett 3360 Hoye Crest on Backbone Mt., on 960 Potomac River at Bloomington 2400 the Md.-W.Va. border* Harford 803 Slate Ridge, 0.4 mi. E of 0 Chesapeake Bay 803 Whiteford Howard 873 1.5 mi. NW of Long Corner 20 Patapsco River 853 Kent 102 2.25 mi. W of Coleman 0 Chesapeake Bay 102 Montgomery /880 ~0.2 mi.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Previous Stream Biological and Habitat Assessments in Loudoun County
    Loudoun County Stream Assessment: Review of Previous Stream Biological and Habitat Assessments in Loudoun County Prepared for Loudoun County Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison St. Leesburg, VA 20175 Prepared by Nancy Roth, Beth Franks, Alexi Boado, Brenda Morgan, and Ginny Rogers Versar, Inc. 9200 Rumsey Road, Suite 100 Columbia, MD 21045 Submitted June 5, 2009 Revised September 25, 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1-1 2 DATA AND LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................... 2-1 3 SPECIAL TOPICS .................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 STREAM IMPAIRMENTS ............................................................................. 3-1 3.2 TEMPORAL TRENDS .................................................................................... 3-4 3.3 SPECIFIC STREAM HABITAT PARAMETERS ........................................... 3-7 3.4 STREAM MITIGATION AND MITIGATION BANKING SCORES ........... 3-21 3.5 FISH SURVEYS AND IBI DEVELOPMENT ............................................... 3-22 3.6 LEESBURG USA AND USSR DATA SUMMARY...................................... 3-23 4 REVIEW OF BENTHIC PROTOCOLS, METRICS, AND INDICATORS .......... 4-1 5 INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT ................................................................................ 5-1 6 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to Trail Management
    Appendix D Additional Reference Material Appendix D contains the following reference documents that relate to the Park Authority’s Guide to Trail Management • FCPA Policy 101.3­ Greenways, Including Stream Valleys • FCPA Policy 103.2­ Trails Fairfax County Park Authority Policy Manual – December 1998 Policy 101.3 Greenways, Including Stream Valleys The Fairfax County Park Authority shall provide leadership for establishment and management of an integrated network of Greenways within the County to conserve open space, to protect sensitive environmental and cult ural resources including wildlife habitat, riparian corridors, water quality, archaeological and historic sites and aesthetic values, to control flooding and erosion, and to provide continuity of non-motorized access between places where citizens and visitors live, work and play. As defined in the Countywide Policy Plan, Greenways are "linear open space corridors which include and connect, parks and recreation sites, areas of significant and sensitive ecological and heritage (cultural) resource value, wildlife habitats, riparian corridors and Countywide trails with each other and with residential communities, employment and commercial areas and transit destinations. Designated Greenways may be comprised of one or several components which will provide the desired resource protection and/or continuity of non-motorized access to destinations throughout the County. They may be established along natural corridors such as Environmental Quality Corridors, along scenic roadways, urban sidewalks and plazas, or other natural or landscaped courses for pedestrian, bicycle or equestrian passage. In addition to publicly accessible parklands and trails, Greenways may also incorporate private open space managed for the protection of significant natural and heritage (cult ural) resources under voluntary agreements with property owners." The Park Authority shall coordinate the establishment of the Countywide network of Greenways in accordance with the following guidelines: 1.
    [Show full text]