Learn the condition of local streams, lakes and other waters anywhere in the US

Learn the condition of local streams, lakes and other waters anywhere in the US... quickly and in plain language. See if your local waterway was checked for pollution, what was found, and what is being done. The source of this information is a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) database of State water quality monitoring reports provided under the Clean Water Act.


https://watersgeo.epa.gov/mywaterway/

Watershed Restoration (WR) uses state-of-the-art techniques to reduce sediment, nutrients and pollution to the County’s streams and waterways. WR's goal is to protect, enhance and restore the water resources of Baltimore County. The program structure is based on the County’s 14 major watersheds in order to provide a comprehensive framework of protection and restoration of the County’s natural resources.

Baltimore County has a nationally recognized program for implementing stream restoration and stabilization projects. The goal is to improve water quality and ecological function by:

Stabilizing stream banks to reduce sediment input to receiving waters
Creating appropriate bed features (riffles, pools) to provide important biochemical exchanges, habitat and energy dissipation
Creating or enhancing the vegetative buffer to reduce nutrient pollution and provide habitat
Sustaining long-term, natural function by replacing traditional engineered channels which negatively impact ecological function and require periodic maintenance or replacement
Adaptive Approach

Capital Projects and Operations (CPO) are selected based on a systematic assessment of the severity of degradation, the achievable goals for each site and the overall benefit to the watershed. CPO utilizes watershed plans, technical assessments and a stream complaint database to identify and prioritize potential projects. CPO incorporates a Natural Channel Design approach when implementing projects which entails:

Calculating the appropriate channel dimensions to maintain base flow, manage storm flows, and have appropriate sediment movement
Creating appropriate bed features and plan form (shape of the channel within the stream valley) to maintain long term stability

Using natural, native materials such as rock, logs and plants to recreate a stable, functional stream system.
https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/environment/watershedrestoration/streamrestoration.html

Stream Problems Due to Urbanization

Problems	Causes	Impacts
Increased impervious area	Pavement, roofs and other structures resulting from development	Increased volume or velocity during storms; decreased base flow
Lack of riparian buffer	Floodplain encroachment to maximize development	Destabilization of stream banks or bed leading to erosion, increased water temps and loss of habitat
Piping, channelization, and armoring of streams	Rerouting or removal of open streams to maximize development	Loss of groundwater recharge, habitat, pollutant removal, and increase in storm flows
Infrastructure encroachment within floodplains	Road crossings, storm drain connections	Flooding and damage to public and private property
Increased pollutant and sediment loads	Yard chemical and agricultural treatments, oil spills, trash, sediment erosion	Impaired water quality and aquatic habitat

Stormwater retrofit projects are new projects that involve the installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to store and treat stormwater runoff particularly in communities built prior to stormwater management requirements. BMPs include stormwater ponds, wetland and marsh creation, underground water quality devices, storm drain outfall protection and bio-retention facilities. Watershed Restoration's Stormwater Retrofit Program updates and improves older stormwater management facilities (conversions) and installs new treatment devices for stormwater management to improve the water quality of the County waterways.

These facilities and retrofits retain and in some cases filter stormwater to lessen the quantity of water that is entering the stream at one time. The first inch of rainfall is most likely to be carrying pollutants washed from the streets, parking lots and rooftops (impervious surfaces). These stormwater facilities and retrofits ensure that this polluted runoff is allowed to soak into the ground to filter pollutants before they reach streams and tidal waters. 

Types of Stormwater Facilities and Retrofits

Type	Typical Features	Benefits
Stormwater Pond	Impoundment pond to slow, retain and filter water Wetland plants	Slows stormwater allowing infiltration Allows sediment to settle out Reduces flooding Improves water quality and nutrient uptake
Bio-Retention Facility	Vegetated cells and areas Rain gardens Planted marshes and wetlands	Absorbs and filters water Creates habitat Helps reduce flooding Aesthetic appeal Improves nutrient uptake
Water Quality Device	Underground device connected to a storm drain pipe	Filters oil, grit, trash and sediment from stormwater
On-line, Beginning or End of Pipe Improvements	Micro pools Forebays Gabion sandwiches Sand filters Rain barrels	Captures and retains water Dissipates energy of water Reduces erosion Filters water

These facilities and retrofits retain and in some cases filter stormwater to lessen the quantity of water that is entering the stream at one time. The first inch of rainfall is most likely to be carrying pollutants washed from the streets, parking lots and rooftops (impervious surfaces). These stormwater ponds and retrofits ensure that this polluted runoff is allowed to soak into the ground to filter pollutants before they reach streams and tidal waters.

Importance of SAV

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) grows in shallow water areas and includes over a dozen different species. Baltimore County collects SAV data for all creeks where the County maintains a navigation channel. The County has collected SAV data since 1989, analyzing and mapping growth trends. SAV is considered a key indicator of water quality and the general health of a waterway.

SAV provide numerous environmental benefits including:

• 
  
• Food and habitat for birds, fish, crabs and other aquatic species
• Water quality and clarity improvements through filtering pollutants and uptake of nutrients
• Shoreline protection by dissipating wave energy and preventing erosion