Student Scientists in Action
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2017 HOWARD COUNTY WATERSHED REPORT CARD Student Scientists in Action Streams Grade: South Branch Patapsco Marriotts South Branch Patapsco C Ridge at Mt. Pleasant • Variety of macroinvertebrates found Brighton Dam Mount • Nitrate values concerning Hebron • Conductivity values new concern Little • More data collection needed Patuxent River Glenelg Middle Patuxent at Shady Lane Middle Patuxent Centennial Schoolyards Final Grade: River Homewood Center Howard Lower Patapsco at Avalon Little Patuxent at Faulkner Ridge Stream Oakland Wilde Mills Patapsco River Testing Site River Hill Lake Lower North Branch Long D Middle Patuxent Little Patuxent Reach at Southwind Trail Atholton at Macomber Lane • Almost all storm drains stenciled Little Patuxent at Lake Elkhorn • Erosion and impervious Hammond surfaces concerning Middle Patuxent Rocky Gorge at Gorman Park Dam Reservoir Schoolyards Studied Atholton High ........... ■ Marriotts Ridge High ....■ Patuxent ■ ■ River Centennial High ......... Mt. Hebron High......... Upper Glenelg High . ■ Oakland Mills High ...... ■ Hammond High ......... ■ Reservoir High ..........■ Homewood Center ...... ■ River Hill High ........... ■ Long Reach High ........ ■ Wilde Lake High ......... ■ KEY Good Streams Studied Moderate Poor Lower Patapsco at Avalon ............................... ■ South Branch Patapsco at Mt. Pleasant .................. ■ Middle Patuxent at Gorman Park ......................... ■ Little Patuxent at Lake Elkhorn ........................... ■ PHOTO BY NICHOLAS GRINER Middle Patuxent at Southwind Trail ..................... ■ Little Patuxent at Macomber Lane ....................... ■ Little Patuxent at Faulkner Ridge ........................ ■ Middle Patuxent at Shady Lane ......................... ■ This year all students participated in both schoolyard and stream research thanks to support from the NOAA BWET program. PHOTO BY NICHOLAS GRINER Nutrients in 2016 18 KEY Nitrate 12 Nitrite Phosphate 6 0 Nutrient Lower Patapsco South Branch Patapsco Middle Patuxent Little Patuxent Middle Patuxent Middle Patuxent Little Patuxent Little Patuxent (mg/L) at Avalon at Mt. Pleasant at Gorman Park at Lake Elkhorn at Southwind Trail at Shady Lane at Faulkner Ridge at Macomber Lane 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. Nitrate values above 2 mg/L leads to poor conditions for fish and insects. 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 Lake Elkhorn ● ● Middle Patuxent at Southwind Trail ● ● ● Middle Patuxent at Shady Lane ● ● ● ● Little Patuxent at Faulkner Ridge ● Little Patuxent at Macomber 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 macroinvertebrates 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. Each stream was sampled twice in the fall. 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 7.25 12.5 8.7 6.0 6.0 6.0 4.3 10.6 4.5 8.43 10.7 0 Best Atholton Centennial Glenelg Hammond Homewood Long Reach Marriotts Ridge Mt. Hebron 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 Students collected data on erosion, downspouts, storm drains, parking lots, dumpsters, turf management, water chemistry, perme- able surfaces and invasive plants to determine their schoolyard’s final score. The lower values reflect evidence of effective stormwater management practices. Schoolyard data was collected one time in the fall and all student data was averaged. The ultimate goal of the program was for the students to develop an appreciation of Howard County’s subwatersheds. Students in the program 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 Middle Patuxent at South Wind Trail Found every sensitive macroinvertebrate Continue removal of storm debris, raise Investigate relationship between poor Debris present from July 30th flood awareness of how trash impacts stream, water transparency and low macroin- increase riparian buffer with native plants. Much shallower water, tremendous vertebrate count. Replace impermeable Research best practices for silt removal. amount of silt surfaces with permeable surfaces in the watershed. Concerns about habitat availability South Branch Patapsco for fish at Mt. Pleasant Middle Patuxent at Shady Lane Increase stream buffer to reduce erosion Decrease impervious surface by adding South Branch Patapsco and filter water to create a more native plant buffer on the way to stream. at Mt. Pleasant suitable environment for fish and In addition, turn auxiliary parking into Acceptable water quality macroinvertebrates. grass fields to slow the flow of water and Very low macroinvertebrate count Middle Patuxent at Gorman Park filter contaminants. Concerns about stream bank stability Increase native vegetation in riparian Little Patuxent at Macomber Lane Middle Patuxent buffer, decrease pollution from entering Collaborate with Maryland Master at Gorman Park stream, remove litter from stream area. Gardeners to improve riparian buffer Excellent water transparency Organize volunteer planting of native along stream. Found more macroinvertebrates species. Remove impervious surfaces Little Patuxent at Faulkner Ridge than previous year near stream. Little Patuxent at Lake Elkhorn To improve biological and chemical water Concerns about high conductivity quality ratings, educate public that only levels and road salt connection Plant aquatic plants to naturally filter water and increase habitat. Expand rain should go down the drain. Little Patuxent at Lake Elkhorn riparian buffer with native shrubs and Found two sensitive plants to prevent erosion. Recommend macroinvertebrates, overall poor volunteer planting of stream bank. macroinvertebrate score Generally good chemical water quality, but nitrate level concerns Schoolyard Feedback Stream bank stability worrisome Atholton High Marriotts Ridge High Middle Patuxent + One of the highest scores in county + Great water quality in stormwater pond at South Wind Trail – Low tree canopy coverage in – Schoolyard trash a concern Surrounded by rich riparian schoolyard Mt. Hebron High buffer system Centennial High + Stenciled storm drains and rain barrel Poor macroinvertebrate score + Native plants in front of school – Erosion and bare soil spots Concerns about water clarity – Concerns about erosion bare spots, Oakland Mills High clearing storm drain entrances, and Middle Patuxent at Shady Lane Stenciled storm drains nitrate values + Excellent corridor assessment results – Compacted soils and schoolyard debris Variety of macroinvertebrates found Glenelg High Reservoir High Concerns about very high + Storm drains stenciled + Stenciled storm drains and nitrate values – Dumpster overflow and leakage utilized bike racks Little Patuxent at Macomber Lane Hammond High – High soil compaction and some erosion Excellent water transparency + Outdoor classroom best feature River Hill High Poor biological rating – Water pollution in an adjacent stream + Utilized bike racks Concerns include high nitrates and is concerning – Poor values for water chemistry trash in and near stream Homewood Center Wilde Lake High Little Patuxent + No mow zone at Faulkner Ridge – Sediments in parking lot + Rain garden Sediments near storm drains Found sensitive Casemaker Caddisflies Long Reach High – Very poor biological rating + Stenciled storm drains Concerns about conductivity levels – Dumpster overflow and leakage PHOTO BY EMILY CALKINS Schoolyard Recommendations Student advocates recommend the following changes: No Mow Meadow Rain Garden Storm Drain Stenciling Native Plants Schoolyard Cleanup Compost Bin Atholton High School ● ● ● Centennial High School ● ● Glenelg High School ● ● Hammond High School ● Homewood Center ● ● 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 This year, a statewide watershed report card has been developed in collaboration with 13 counties. In May 2017, students from Howard County across the state will share their watershed data at the Miller Senate House with elected officials. Fall 2017, all freshmen entering Howard County Public Schools will take