Anadromous - word characterizing fish which migrate up rivers from ocean or estuarine waters to spawn

Benthic (n. benthos)- plants or animals living on or closely associated with the bottom of a body of water

Buffered Streams - Streams with trees or other vegetation growing along the shore

Chlorophyll a - the green pigment found in plant cells used as an indication of algae growth

Headwaters - the small streams that are the source of rivers

Impervious - solid land surfaces (parking lots, streets, roof top, etc.) that cannot be infiltrated by precipitation runoff like rain or snow melt

Maryland Water Monitoring Council (MWMC) - A statewide collaborative body made up of local, state and public representatives to help achieve effective collection, interpretation, and dissemination of aquatic resource monitoring data

Metadata - information about data that describes the data and why it has been collected, and defines variables, methods, calculations and units

Nutrient loadings - the total mass or weight of nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to a waterbody

Pfiesteria - a recently discovered microorganism potentially capable of producing a toxic chemical that is harmful to aquatic living resources and humans

Secchi depth - a measurement of water clarity using a white and black Secchi disk lowered into the water until it disappears from view

Smart Growth - Governor Glendening's initiative to attract new development to areas where environmental impacts can be minimized and existing public infrastructure best utilized.

Soil Erodibility - a measure of the ease with which soil is washed or carried away

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) - vascular plants growing beneath the water

Tributary Strategies Teams - 10 groups, appointed by Governor Glendening, comprised of citizens, farmers, educators, environmentalists, and state and local government representatives that address efforts to reduce excess nutrients entering the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries

Unbuffered streams - streams which lack trees or other vegetation growing along the shore

Relationship between Maryland watersheds and federal Hydrologic Unit basins
 

MD 8-digit  Code	State Watershed Name	Federal Hydrologic  Unit Code	Federal Basin Name
02050301	Conewago Creek	02050306	Lower Susquehanna
02120201	L Susquehanna River	"
02120202	Deer Creek	"
02120203	Octoraro Creek	"
02120204	Conowingo Dam-Susq. Run	"
02120205	Broad Creek	"
02130101	Atlantic Ocean	02060010	Chincoteague
02130102	Assawoman Bay	"
02130103	Isle of Wight Bay	"
02130104	Sinepuxent Bay	"
02130105	Newport Bay	"
02130106	Chincoteague Bay	"
02130201	Pocomoke Sound	02060009	Pocomoke
02130202	Lower Pocomoke River	"
02130203	Upper Pocomoke River	"
02130204	Dividing Creek	"
02130205	Nassawango Creek	"
02130206	Tangier Sound	"
02130207	Big Annemessex River	"
02130208	Manokin River	"
02130301	Lower Wicomico River	02060007	Blackwater-Wicomico
02130302	Monie Bay	"
02130303	Wicomico Creek	"
02130304	Wicomico River Headwaters	"
02130307	Fishing Bay	"
02130308	Transquaking River	"
02130305	Nanticoke River	02060008	Nanticoke
02130306	Marshyhope Creek	"
02130401	Honga River	02060005	Choptank
02130402	Little Choptank	"
02130403	Lower Choptank	"
02130404	Upper Choptank	"
02130405	Tuckahoe Creek	"
02130501	Eastern Bay	02060002	Chester-Sassafras
02130502	Miles River	"
02130503	Wye River	"
02130504	Kent Narrows	"
02130505	Lower Chester River	"
02130506	Langford Creek	"
02130507	Corsica River	"
02130508	Southeast Creek	"
02130509	Middle Chester River	"
02130510	Upper Chester River	"
02130511	Kent Island Bay	"
02130601	Lower Elk River	"
02130602	Bohemia River	"
02130603	Upper Elk River	"
02130604	Back Creek	"
02130605	Little Elk Creek	"
02130606	Big Elk Creek	"
02130608	Northeast River	"
02130609	Furnace Bay	"
02130610	Sassafras River	"
02130611	Stillpond-Fairlee	"
02130607	Christina River	02040205	Brandywine-Christina
02130701	Bush River	02060003	Gunpowder-Patapsco
02130702	Lower Winters Run	"
02130703	Atkisson Reservoir	"
02130704	Bynum Run	"
02130705	Aberdeen Proving Grounds	"
02130706	Swan Creek	"
02130801	Gunpowder River	"
02130802	Lower Gunpowder Falls	"
02130803	Bird River	"
02130804	Little Gunpowder Falls	"
02130805	Loch Raven Reservoir	"
02130806	Prettyboy Reservoir	"
02130807	Middle River - Browns Ck	"
02130901	Back River	"
02130902	Bodkin Creek	"
02130903	Baltimore Harbor	"
02130904	Jones Falls	"
02130905	Gwynns Falls	"
02130906	Patapsco River L N Br	"
02130907	Liberty Reservoir	"
02130908	S Branch Patapsco	"
02131001	Magothy River	02060004	Severn
02131002	Severn River	"
02131003	South River	"
02131004	West River	"
02131005	West Chesapeake Bay	"
02131101	Patuxent River lower	02060006	Patuxent
02131102	Patuxent River middle	"
02131103	Western Branch	"
02131104	Patuxent River upper	"
02131105	Little Patuxent River	"
02131106	Middle Patuxent River	"
02131107	Rocky Gorge Dam	"
02131108	Brighton Dam	"
02139996	Upper Chesapeake Bay	02060001	Upper Chesapeake Bay
02139997	Middle Chesapeake Bay	"
02139998	Lowerer Chesapeake Bay	"
02140101	Potomac River L tidal	02070011	Lower Potomac
02140102	Potomac River M tidal	"
02140103	St. Mary's River	"
02140104	Breton Bay	"
02140105	St. Clements Bay	"
02140106	Wicomico River	"
02140107	Gilbert Swamp	"
02140108	Zekiah Swamp	"
02140109	Port Tobacco River	"
02140110	Nanjemoy Creek	"
02140111	Mattawoman Creek	"
02140201	Potomac River U tidal	02070010	Middle Potomac-Anacostia-Occoquan
02140203	Piscataway Creek	"
02140204	Oxon Creek	"
02140205	Anacostia River	"
02140206	Rock Creek	"
02140202	Potomac River MO Cnty	02070008	Middle Potomac-Catoctin
02140207	Cabin John Creek	"
02140208	Seneca Creek	"
02140301	Potomac River FR Cnty	"
02140305	Catoctin Creek	"
02140302	Lower Monocacy River	02070009	Monocacy
02140303	Upper Monocacy River	"
02140304	Double Pipe Creek	"
02140501	Potomac River WA Cnty	02070004	Conococheague-Opequon
02140502	Antietam Creek	"
02140503	Marsh Run	"
02140504	Conococheague Creek	"
02140505	Little Conococheague	"
02140506	Licking Creek	"
02140507	Tonoloway Creek	"
02140509	Little Tonoloway Creek	"
02140508	Potomac River AL Cnty	02070003	Cacapon-Town
02140510	Sideling Hill Creek	"
02140511	Fifteen Mile Creek	"
02140512	Town Creek	"
02141001	Potomac R Lower N Branch	02070002	North Branch Potomac
02141002	Evitts Creek	"
02141003	Wills Creek	"
02141004	Georges Creek	"
02141005	Potomac R Upper N Branch	"
02141006	Savage River	"
05020201	Youghiogheny River *	05020006	Youghiogheny
05020202	Little Youghiogheny R	"
05020203	Deep Creek Lake	"
05020204	Casselman River	"

 
NOTE: * The Youghiogheny River watershed (05020201) includes a small portion of the federal Hydrologic Unit identified as the Cheat River basin.

Dr. B. Spenser Franklin, Anne Arundel Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Dr. Cameron Speir, Western Maryland College
Dr. Carl Weber, Univ. MD, Baltimore Co., Biology Dept.
Dr. Chandler Robbins, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Dr. Christi Korbeck, National Aquarium in Baltimore
Dr. Christopher Swarth, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary
Dr. Christopher Victoria, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Chesapeake Bay Field Office
Dr. Cortez White, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Dr. D.L. Burley, Potomac Edison Company
Dr. David Correll, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Dr. Donald A. Munson, Washington College, Dept. of Biology
Dr. Donald Boesch, Univ. MD, CES, Horn Point Environmental Lab
Dr. Donald C. Helm, Morgan State University, Dept. of Civil Engineering
Dr. Edythe M. Humphries, SWQAC
Dr. Eileen Setzler-Hamilton, Univ. MD, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
Dr. Eric L. Hildebrand, Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park / SWQAC
Dr. Gail Webb Owings, Kent Co. Dept. of Planning and Zoning Administration
Dr. Gary R. Chirlin, Chirlin and Associates, Inc.
Dr. George Wilmot, SWQAC
Dr. Gordon Smith, Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory
Dr. J. Charles Baummer, Jr., EA Engineering Science and Technology, Inc. / SWQAC
Dr. Jack Greer, MD Sea Grant, Univ. MD
Dr. James Adams, Univ. MD Eastern Shore, Natural Resources Dept.
Dr. James Allen, University of DC
Dr. James H. Gilford, SWQAC
Dr. Joan Wohlgemuth, Friends of St. Leonard Creek
Dr. Joy Bartholomew, Center for Policy Negotiation and Watershed Management
Dr. Ken Paynter, Univ. MD, Zoology Dept.
Dr. Ken Tenore, Univ. MD, CES, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
Dr. Kim Holcomb, Owings Mills Green Action
Dr. Linda Silversmith, League of Women Voters of MD / SWQAC
Dr. Mark Southerland, Versar, Inc.
Dr. Mary Jo Kishter, Loiderman Assoc., Inc.
Dr. Michael F. Hirshfield, Center for Marine Conservation, Inc.
Dr. Mike Kemp, Univ. MD, CES, Horn Point Environmental Laboratory
Dr. Mohammad T. Habibian, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission / SWQAC
Dr. Nancy Paige Smith, Citizens Monitors of St. Mary's Co., St. Mary's College
Dr. Ned Gerber, Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage
Dr. Paul T. Jacobson, The Cadmus Group
Dr. Peter Bergstrom, Magothy River Association
Dr. Ray Morgan, Univ. MD, Appalachian Environmental Lab
Dr. Richard Lacouture, Academy of Natural Sciences
Dr. Robert L. Dwyer, Environmental Resources Management / SWQAC
Dr. Russ Brinsfield, Univ. MD Agricultural Experiment Station, Wye Research and Education Center
Dr. Stacy Beauchamp, Jr., Dorchester Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Dr. Steve Jordan, MD Dept. Natural Resources, Cooperative Oxford Laboratory
Dr. Susan Gresens, Towson State University, Biology Dept.
Dr. Tuck Hines, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Dr. W.I. Tittle, Citizens for the Preservation of Queenstown Creek
Dr. William Ball, Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Geography and Env. Engineering
Mr. Al Haines, Eastalco Aluminum Company / SWQAC
Mr. Alfred C. Wein, Jr., Cecil Co. Dept. of Planning
Mr. Ananda Ranasinghe, Versar, Inc.
Mr. Andy Nichols, Monocacy Watershed Conservancy
Mr. Axel Schwendt, W.R. Grace Co. / SWQAC
Mr. Ben Fusaro, Wicomico Environmental Trust
Mr. Benjamin R. Sansom, Allegany Co. Planning Dept.
Mr. Bill Goldsborough, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Mr. Bill Neff, Upper Potomac River Commission
Mr. Brian Hazelwood, Metropolitan Council of Governments
Mr. Bruce Feuerstein, SWQAC
Mr. Burton Sklar, Wastewater Facilities Division / SWQAC
Mr. Calvin Massey, III, Wicomico Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. Charles Cipolla, Friends of the Nanticoke River
Mr. Charles E. Smyser, Cecil Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. Charles Gillian, Baltimore City Health Dept., Community Environmental Health
Mr. Charles Zeleski, Carroll Co. Health Department / SWQAC
Mr. Charlie Conklin, SWQAC
Mr. Chris Lewis, Lower Shore Land Trust
Mr. Christopher M. Porteus, St. Phillip's Episcopal Church
Mr. Clark Aist, Mataponi Basin Citizen's Association
Mr. Dave Wilson, Maryland Easter Shore Resource Conservation and Development Area
Mr. David Bailey, Potomac Electric Power Co. / SWQAC
Mr. David Cowee, Talbot Co. Dept. of Planning
Mr. David Duree, INNOVA, Ltd. / SWQAC
Mr. Don Outen, Baltimore Co. Environmental Protection and Resource Management
Mr. Don Shaver
Mr. Donald A. Nork, Prince George's Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. Dru Schmidt-Perkins, Clean Water Action
Mr. Ed Stubing, Gunpowder Valley Conservancy
Mr. Edgar E. Harman, Garrett Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. Edgar W. Woods, Frederick Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. Edward Birkmire, Kent Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. Edward Krueger, Potomac Electric Power Co. / SWQAC
Mr. Edward Phillips, SWQAC
Mr. Edward Tudor, Worcester Co. Planning, Permits and Inspections
Mr. Floyd Spellman, Sassafras River Community Council
Mr. Frank Gunion, Worcester Co. Citizen's Coalition
Mr. Frank Jaklitsch, Calvert Co. Dept. of Planning and Zoning
Mr. Frank L. Wise, Prince Georges' Co. Health Department / SWQAC
Mr. Frank R. Henderson, Hartford Co. Dept. of Public Works, Environmental Affairs Division
Mr. Fred Jacobs, Coastal Environmental Services
Mr. Fred Skinner, Howard Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. Gary David, Charles Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. George G. Balog, City of Baltimore Dept. of Public Works
Mr. George G. Perdikakis, Baltimore Co. Environmental Protection and Resource Management
Mr. George H. Shoemaker, Westvaco Corporation / SWQAC
Mr. George Helz, Univ. MD, Water Resources Research Institute
Mr. George R. Robbins, Handex of Maryland
Mr. Gerald Seinwell, Apogee Research
Mr. Glenn Page, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Mr. Greg DeCowsky, Environment Chesapeake, Inc.
Mr. J. Michael Evans, Carroll Co. Dept. of Public Works
Mr. J. Michael Hearn, Whitman, Requardt and Assoc.
Mr. Jack C. Leighty, Hunting Creek Watershed
Mr. Jack Witten, Potomac River Association
Mr. James Ashby, Mettiki Coal Company
Mr. James Caldwell, Montgomery Co. Dept. of Environmental Protection
Mr. James Gracie, Brightwater, Inc.
Mr. James Herriman, Calvert Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. James Odgers, Plum Point Environmental Land Trust
Mr. James R. Martin, Jr., Severn River Association
Mr. James R. Shaw, Frederick Co. Dept. of Planning
Mr. James Smith, Johnson, Mirmiran, and Thompson
Mr. James W. Clarke, Sierra Club (MD) / SWQAC
Mr. Jerry Warner, BGE
Mr. Jim Cummins, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River
Mr. Joe Machin, KCI Technologies
Mr. John Beall, Maryland Freshwater Foundation, Inc.
Mr. John Chlada, Perdue Farms, Inc.
Mr. John Delaney, Linowes and Blocher
Mr. John E. Nickerson, Queen Anne's Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. John Flood, Federation of South River Associations
Mr. John Galli, Metro. Washington Council of Governments
Mr. John Keiller, Potomac Electric Power Co.
Mr. John L. Lamb, Jr., Harford Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. John Martin, Wastewater Facilities Division / SWQAC
Mr. John Nelson, Garrett Co. Planning and Zoning
Mr. John O'Hara, Howard Co. Dept. of Public Works, Environmental Service
Mr. John Peacock, Anne Arundel Co. Planning and Code Enforcement, Environmental Programs
Mr. John Schneider, ENDESIGN
Mr. John Slowikowski, Technical Testing Laboratories / SWQAC
Mr. Jon R. Grimm, St. Mary's Co. Dept. of Planning and Zoning
Mr. Joseph Fehrer, Nassawango Creek Preserve Stewardship Committee
Mr. Joseph Fowler, Congoleum Corp.
Mr. Joseph Mendelson, Bethelehem Steel Corp.
Mr. Keith Bowers, Biohabitats, Inc.
Mr. Kevin Brooks, Maryland Rural Development Corp. / SWQAC
Mr. Kevin Kirby, Land Ethics
Mr. Larry D. Newsome, EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics / SWQAC
Mr. Larry Leitch, Carroll Co. Health Dept.
Mr. Larry Whitlock, SWQAC
Mr. Lester Coble, Jr., Caroline Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. Marchant Hall, Deer Creek Watershed Association
Mr. Mark Telfer
Mr. Melvin Bender, Magothy River Land Trust
Mr. Michael Haufler, SWQAC
Mr. Michael L. Clar, Engineering Technologies Associates, Inc. / SWQAC
Mr. Mike Barbour, Tetra Tech
Mr. Mike H. McIntyre, Somerset Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. Mike Hollins, Ecosystem Recovery Institute
Mr. Monroe I. Duke, Deer Creek Scenic River
Mr. Nazir Baig, MD National Capital Park and Planning Commission / SWQAC
Mr. Neal Fitzpatrick, Ms. Stephanie Mason, Audubon Naturalist Society
Mr. Oscar Fisher, Eastalco Aluminum Company
Mr. Pat Herold Nielson, Chester River Association
Mr. Paul Swartz, Susquehanna River Basin Commission
Mr. Peter Taillie, Friends of the Upper Choptank River
Mr. Phil Ogilvie, SWQAC
Mr. Rex Lloyd, Maryland Environmental Service
Mr. Rhodes R. Copithorn, Chesapeake Water Environment Federation
Mr. Richard D. Klein, Chesapeake and Coastal Creeks Coalition
Mr. Richard Helfrich, Montgomery Co. Environ. Health Dept., License and Regulation Services
Mr. Richard Wells, Worcester Co. Environmental. Health Dept.
Mr. Rick Cole, Genstar Stone Products Co.
Mr. Robert Arch, Washington Co. Dept. of Planning and Community Development
Mr. Robert Boone, Anacostia Watershed Society
Mr. Robert Christopher, Back River Neck Community Association, Inc.
Mr. Robert Etgen, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy
Mr. Robert Kreger, BGE
Mr. Robert Proctor, Brandywine North Keys Citizens Association
Mr. Robert Walker, South Cecil Co. Committee and Watershed Association
Mr. Robert Woods, Croom Citizens Association
Mr. Roderick A. McRae, Washington Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. Roger Worthington, Friends of Beaver Creek
Mr. Ryan Davis, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Mr. Samual E. Wynkoop, Jr., Prince George's Co. Dept. of Environmental Resources
Mr. Samuel W. Christine, III, Maryland Aggregates Associates
Mr. Sean Smith, SCM Chemicals, Inc.
Mr. Stephen Dyer, Grace-Division
Mr. Stephen Hughes, R.E. Wright Environment., Inc.
Mr. Steve Dodd, Dorchester Co. Dept. of Planning
Mr. Steve T. Magoon, Charles Co. Dept. of Planning
Mr. Steve Wildberger, LaMotte Co.
Mr. Steve Witt, SWQAC
Mr. Steven Kaii-Ziegler, Queen Anne's Co. Dept. of Planning and Zoning
Mr. Steven Xavier Lee, Gwynns Falls Conservancy / SWQAC
Mr. T. Meade Felton, SWQAC
Mr. Terry Lawrence, Chemetals, Inc.
Mr. Thomas Jackson, Garden State Tanning
Mr. Thomas M. Russell, St. Mary's Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. Thomas M. Thomas, SWQAC
Mr. Tim Doolan, MD Dept. Natural Resources Police / SWQAC
Mr. Tim McCormick, Greenhorne and O'Mara, Inc.
Mr. Timothy W. Klares, Hallowing Point Laboratory, Water and Land Program
Mr. Tom An, Metro. Washington Council of Governments
Mr. Tom Schueler, Center for Watershed Protection
Mr. Tony Facciolo, Metal Finishing, Inc.
Mr. Vince Sortman, Biohabitats, Inc.
Mr. Vincent H. Berg, Forest & Wetland Cons. Assoc. / SWQAC
Mr. Vir Kathuria, Engineering Technologies Assoc.
Mr. W.T. Dixon Gibbs, Jr., Irvine Natural Science Center
Mr. Walter S. Finster, Allegany Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Mr. Wayne Klockner, Nature Conservancy - Maryland/Delaware Field Office
Mr. William C. Livingston, Wicomico Co. Dept. of Planning and Community Development
Mr. William Davis, Hudson Foods, Inc.
Mr. William J. Bostian, Nature Conservancy - Maryland Chapter
Mr. William Jeanes, Jr., Upper Chesapeake Watershed Association
Mr. William P. Stack, City of Baltimore Dept. of Public Works, Water Quality Management Branch
Mrs. Ajax Eastman, SWQAC
Mrs. Dot Truitt, SWQAC
Mrs. Ilia Fehrer, Worcester Environmental Trust / SWQAC
Mrs. John K. Owen, Watershed Protection Coalition, Inc.
Mrs. Joyce Schmidt, Charles Co. Dept. of Planning &Growth Management / SWQAC
Mrs. Linda S. Cunfer, SWQAC
Mrs. Minnie Gilbert, Citizens Coalition on Surface Mining / SWQAC
Mrs. Minny Pohlmann, (SWQAC
Mrs. Roberta Polevoy, SWQAC
Ms. Aileen Hughes, American Chestnut Land Trust
Ms. Ajax Eastman, Maryland Conservation Council
Ms. Alice Weber, Bayer Corp.
Ms. Amy Doll, Apogee Research
Ms. Amy E. Smith, Delmarva Power and Light Co.
Ms. Ann Brown, Environment Chesapeake, Inc.
Ms. Anne Morse, Talbot Co. Environmental Health Dept.
Ms. Anneke Davis, Greater Baltimore Environ. Center, MD Conservation Council / SWQAC
Ms. Annette Kassa, W.R. Grace Co. / SWQAC
Ms. Barbara Taylor, Save Our Streams
Ms. Betsy Weinkam, Coastal Resources, Inc.
Ms. Betty Messick, St. Jerome's Creek Citizen's Association
Ms. Cathy Rappe, Carroll Co. Dept. of Public Works
Ms. Darlene Shepling, Rock Creek Environmental Commission
Ms. Debi Osborne, Trust for Public Land, Chesapeake Field Office
Ms. Elizabeth A. Krempaskay, Caroline Co. Dept. of Planning and Building
Ms. George Radcliff, Centreville Middle School
Ms. Gina Zawitoski, Piper & Marbury / SWQAC
Ms. Ginger D. Klingelhoefer-Ellis, Anne Arundel Co. Dept. of Plan./Code Enforcement / SWQAC
Ms. Helen M. Spinelli, Maryland Rural Development Corporation / SWQAC
Ms. Janet Bowers, Dames and Moore, Inc.
Ms. Janice Houck, Wildlife Habitat Council
Ms. Joan Kean, Somerset Dept. of Planning and Zoning
Ms. K. Marlene Conaway, Carroll Co. Department of Planning / SWQAC
Ms. Kathleen Skullney, Greater Patapsco Community Assoc.
Ms. Katrina Myers, Nevamar Co.
Ms. Lisa Jo Frech, Nanticoke Watershed Alliance
Ms. Liz McWethy, Weems Creek Conservancy
Ms. Marcia McPartland, City of Annapolis DPW
Ms. Margaret H. Hindman, SWQAC
Ms. Mary Louise Broadbeck, SWQAC
Ms. Mary Roman, McCrone, Inc.
Ms. Mary Walkup, Kent Conservation
Ms. Nancy S.S. Pentz, Baltimore Co. Dept. Env. Protection and Resource Mgmt. / SWQAC
Ms. Nita Settina, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Ms. Sarah Whaler, Environment Chesapeake, Inc.
Ms. Sharon Meigs, Prince George's Co. Dept. of Env. Resources, Stream Teams
Ms. Susan Adams, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Environmental Division, Air and Water Management Branch
Ms. Sylvia Garcia, Domino Sugar Corp.
Ms. Trudye Morgan Johnson, MD National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Ms. Veroneca Burgess, Friends of Gwynns Falls and Leakin Park
Ms. Vivian Newman, SWQAC
Patuxent Naval Air Station, Dept. of Public Works

Clean Water Requirements
 
303(d) List
Section 303(d) of the federal Water Pollution Control Act requires states to develop a prioritized list of waterbodies that currently do not meet water quality standards, or will not meet water quality standards after all technology-based controls are in place. The State of Maryland developed its list and it was approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency in December 1996. It includes 130 waterbodies across the state. The water bodies are impaired by one or more of the following pollutants: nutrients, sediments, toxic substances, acidity or fecal coliform bacteria. This indicator is the number of occurrences on the 303(d) List for a watershed. If a watershed is listed at least once on the 303(d) list , it receives a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 

Water Quality
 
Monitored Nutrient Concentrations: eutrophication
This index is a mean of current status (1994-96) information, scored according to a 10-level scale (one - most degraded to 10 - best condition) for mixed layer total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total suspended solids. Values are consolidated into a single mean for each major tidal tributary. Watersheds whose score value is in the lower 25 percent of scores for the 138 watersheds receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
Monitored Nutrient Concentrations: habitat
This index is the mean of current status (1994-1996) information, scored according to a 10-level scale (one - most degraded to 10 - best condition), for surface chlorophyll a, Secchi depth and summer (July - September) dissolved oxygen levels at the bottom. Values are consolidated into a single mean for each major tidal tributary. Watersheds whose score value is in the lower 25percent of scores for the 138 watersheds receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
Modeled Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loading Rate
Values reported are from the Chesapeake Bay Program's Phase IV Watershed Model and the MD Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Integrated Watershed Analysis and Management System (IWAMS). The value includes loadings for both point and nonpoint sources and is represented in pounds per watershed acre. Watersheds whose loading rate is in the top 25 percent of the watersheds receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 

Aquatic Living Resources
 
SAV Abundance
This is determined by measuring the extent of areas with SAV growth each year. Using the 1996 aerial survey results, the area of current SAV was divided by the acreage corresponding to the Tier III restoration goal (restoring SAV to 2 meters depth). This value was multiplied by 10 to yield a value between one and 10 (one - most degraded, 10 - best condition). Watersheds with a score of one receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
SAV Habitat Index
This index is determined using 1994 to 1996 Chesapeake Bay Program Bay segments passing, failing and borderline to the habitat requirements for SAV. The scores are adjusted to range between one and 10 (one - most degraded, 10 - best condition). Watersheds with a score less than 7 receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
Tidal Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity
This indicator is scored based on measures of species diversity, species composition, productivity, and trophic composition. Scores are adjusted to range between one and 10 (one - most degraded, 10 - best condition). Watersheds with a score less than 6 receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
Tidal Fish Index of Biotic Integrity
This indicator is scored based on total number of species, number of species comprising 90 percent of the catch, number of species in the bottom trawl, anadromous fish abundance, estuarine fish abundance, total fish abundance less menhaden, proportion of planktivores, proportion of carnivores, and proportion of benthivores. Data are ranked within sites and a score is assigned based on the severity of the impact. Scores are adjusted to range between 1 and 10 (1 most degraded, 10 best condition). Watersheds whose score value is in the lower 25 percent of scores for the applicable watersheds receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
Anadromous Fish Index
This indicator is scored based on the number of ecologically valuable anadromous and semi-anadromous fish caught per haul. Data are ranked within sites and a score is assigned based on the severity of the impact. Scores are adjusted to range between 1 and 10 (one - most degraded, 10 - best condition).Watersheds whose score value is in the lower 25 percent of scores for the applicable watersheds receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
Non-Tidal Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity
This indicator is developed using Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS), Targeted Watershed Project, and Rapid Bioassessment Program data. Comparable sampling and scoring methods are used to develop an index from these programs. Scores for watersheds are reported as means for the sites within each watershed (one - most degraded, 10 - best condition). Watersheds with a score less than 6, and whose number of samples taken was at least 4, receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
Non-Tidal Fish Index of Biotic Integrity
This indicator is developed from Maryland Biological Stream Survey and Targeted Watershed Project data. Fish are collected using the same methods in both of these programs. Scores for watersheds are reported as means for the sites within each watershed (one - most degraded, 10 - best condition). Watersheds with a score less than 6, and whose number of samples taken was at least 4, receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
Non-Tidal Instream Habitat Index
This indicator is based on seven measures of instream habitat quality that are scored for each site based on observations of habitat condition in streams during sample visits. The seven habitat measures rate the quantity and quality of physical habitat available in the stream for fish and benthic macroinvertebrate colonization and rate the degree to which the stream channel has been altered due to alterations in watershed landscape. A mean for these seven measures is calculated for each site, and the mean habitat score for watersheds on a one to 10 scale is reported (one - most degraded, 10 - best condition). Watersheds whose score value is in the lower 25 percent receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 

Landscape Indicators
 
Percent Impervious Surface
This landscape indicator is defined as the percent imperviousness for a watershed normalized by land acres. Watersheds whose percent imperviousness value is in the top 25 percent of the watersheds receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
Population Density
This landscape indicator is defined as the State Office of Planning's (MOP) year 2000 projected population for the county, reallocated by DNR to watershed scale and normalized by land acres. Watersheds whose population density value is in the top 25 percent of the watersheds receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
Historic Wetland Loss Density
This landscape indicator is defined as the total acres of hydric soils for a watershed, extracted from MOP's county soils data. Watersheds whose historic wetland loss value is in the top 25 percent of the watersheds receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
Percent Unbuffered Streams
This indicator is defined as the area of unbuffered streams in a watershed normalized by stream length. Watersheds whose percent unbuffered streams value is in the top 25 percent of the watersheds receive a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
Soil Erodibility
This indicator is developed based on an area's slope, soil erodibility factor, distance to nearest stream and landuse type. If a watershed scores in the high (score between 0.275 and 0.314) or very high (score between 0.314 and 0.37) classification, it receives a Category 1 rating for this indicator.
 
 

Landscape Indicators
 
Percent Headwater Streams Occurring in Interior Forest
This indicator is defined as the number (feet) of first order (Strahler method) streams within interior forest divided by the first order stream length (feet). Watersheds whose percent headwater streams occurring in interior forest value is in the top 25 percent of the watersheds receive a Category 3 rating for this indicator.
 
Percent Watershed Forested
This indicator is defined as the number of 1994 forested acres within a watershed divided by the total land acres in a watershed. Watersheds whose percent watershed forested value is in the top 25 percent of the watersheds receive a Category 3 rating for this indicator.
 
Wildland Acres
This indicator is the number (acres) of MD DNR wildlands in the watershed. Watersheds that have the presence of wildlands receive a Category 3 rating for this indicator.
 
Number of Drinking Water Intakes
This indicator is the number of drinking water intakes in the watershed. Watersheds that have the presence of drinking water intakes receive a Category 3 rating for this indicator.

Maryland Eight Digit Watershed Code: 02141004       Tributary Basin: UPPER POTOMAC
 
Population (1990 US Census)                       Water Type (Households) (1990 US Census)
1990 Est. Population Density (per land acre) 21   Public .......................... 5,556
                                                  Drilled Well ...................... 403
                                                  Other water ....................... 210

1994 Land Use (MOP Data)
Urban Acres ..............................8,750
Agricultural Acres .......................5,719   Sewer Type (Households) (1990 US Census)
Forest Acres ............................33,230   Public ...........................5,681
Wetland Acres ................................0   Septic .............................485
Barren Acres .................................0   Other ...............................53

Total Acres (non-water) .................47,699
 

          CATEGORY 1 PARAMETERS                             CATEGORY 3 INDICATORS

Water Quality                                     Aquatic Living Resources
 Monitored Nutrient Concentrations                Tidal Fish Index of Biotic Integrity ....-
  -eutrophication ............................ -  Non-tidal Instream Habitat Index .....5.97
  -habitat ................................... -  Non-tidal Fish Indx Biotic Integrity .3.33
Modeled Nitrogen Load (Rate/acre in lbs) ...4.29  Imperiled Aquatic Species Indicator .....6
Modeled Phosphorus Load (Rate/acre in lbs) .0.37  Migratory Fish Spawning Indx ............-
                                                  Anadromous Fish  Indx ...................-
Aquatic Living Resources                          Wetland-Spawning Species ............56.60
SAV Abundance ................................ -  Trout Spawning Area .................... -
SAV Habitat Index ............................ -  Fish Hatchery Water Supply.............. -
Tidal Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity ...... -
Tidal Fish Index of Biotic Integrity ......... -  Landscape Parameters
Anadromous Fish Index ........................ -  % Headwaters Streams in Interior Forest 52
Non-Tidal Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity 3.67  % Watershed Forested ...................70
Non-Tidal Fish Index of Biotic Integrity .. 3.33  Wildland Acres ........................272
Non-Tidal Instream Habitat Index .......... 5.97  Number of Drinking Water Intakes ........6
 
Landscape Parameters                                    Recommended Unified Watershed
Aquatic Living Resources                                    Assessment Categories
Percent Impervious Surface ................ 0.10  Priority Category 1 ................. Yes
Population Density ........................ 0.21  Category 2 ........................... No
Historic Wetland Loss Density ............. 4.0   Select Category 3 ................... Yes
Unbuffered Stream Density ................ 38.0
Soil Erodibility ...........................0.31
 
Clean Water Requirements
303d List ..................................3
 
 

Georges Creek-02141004

The State is interested in collecting information about watersheds for future assessments. Contact Dr. Paul Massicot at (410) 260-8682 for information on providing watershed information. The public also is invited to attend meetings of the Tributary Strategy teams. For further information about the Tributary Strategy program, contact Darlene Walker at (410) 260-8708.