Crofton Tributary Stream Restoration Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works Crofton Tributary Stream Restoration Anne Arundel County, Maryland

The regenerative stream channel system approach cost effectively transforms a degraded stream into a naturally functioning system that improves its own stability, water quality, and in-stream and riparian habitats.

n 2001, Biohabitats Biohabitats’ design recon- Ievaluated a 3,500-foot long nected the channel to its degraded tributary network floodplain. This approach in Crofton, Maryland andde- eliminates high and eroding veloped three detailed stream banks, improves water quality restoration concepts. Severe and creates conditions favor- bank erosion and channel inci- able for native Anne Arundel sion into loose Coastal Plain County coastal plain biota deposits threaten adjacent while naturally controlling in- infrastructure in the residen- vasive species. The restoration tial community. Moreover, design package included cost channel incision resulted in a estimates, construction details, drawdown of the groundwater specifications and implementa- table, which changed the plant tion guidance (e.g. sequence of community, and degraded wa- operations, operation & main- ter quality, and aquatic habitat. tenance). The reconstructed portion of the channel now In 2007, Biohabitats was functions naturally. top: Post construction with awarded a contract to develop inset of initial conditions; a stream restoration design for Services above & right: Restored the tributary. The goal was to Inventory & Assessments ecolog y along the stream restore watershed processes, Design including recharging the Permitting groundwater table to regener- Construction Procurement ate spring seeps. Construction Services

conservation planning ecological restoration regenerative design

Physiographic Province Coastal Plains Bioregion Chesapeake/Delaware Bays 800.220.0919 Watershed www.biohabitats.com Patuxent River