Maryland Streams and Rivers

MBSS YouTube Channel Up and Running!

MBSS now has a new channel at www.youtube.com. Check it out for clips of our team out in the field, interesting critters, and samples of our educational video, Maryland Streams: an Undiscovered Realm. We'll be posting new stuff whenever we can, so check back often!

Thank You to Our Stream Waders!

DNR would like to thank all of our volunteers for their hard work during the 2009 spring sampling season. Check back in the fall for information about the 2010 Stream Waders program. More info on the Maryland Stream Waders Page.

Three New Interactive Maps Show a Variety of River and Stream Data Collected Throughout Maryland

The Department of Natural Resources now has three maps showing different information about Maryland's Rivers and Streams.

• The Maryland Biological Stream Survey Interactive Data Map is a great new way to see where MBSS has collected data. Located on our Want Data? page, this interactive map displays the location of over 2500 sites in Maryland, and links to the data collected from each site.


• MBSS collects data from "sentinel sites" every year to monitor trends on a temporal scale. Learn more about these special sites and see the map at The MBSS What's New Page.


• A map displaying long-term monitoring data as well as more information about the Core/Trend Program can be found at The Long Term Water Quality Monitoring page.

Long-term Monitoring Stations Show Improving Nitrogen Trends in Maryland's Rivers and Streams

Link to 1.66MB .pdf File

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) conducts a long-term water quality monitoring network referred to as the Core/Trend Program that has compiled over 20 years of data. Trend results from 1986 - 2006 illustrate that most stations throughout the Potomac River watershed are improving. To learn more, view the factsheet. 1.66MB pdf file

Update on the Core/Trend Monitoring Quality Assurance Project Plan

This document is a technical report for a network of sites located near USGS stream gages that represent watersheds with relatively high loads of nutrients and sediments.
966KB PDF File

Didymo Moves Downstream in Middle Section of Gunpowder Falls

As of March 3, 2009

Link to larger image

An update to Maryland DNR's monitoring of Didymo in Gunpowder Falls: This map shows sampling stations in the Maryland DNR and Baltimore County DEPRM collaborative Didymo survey of the middle section of the Gunpowder Falls. Locations where Didymo presence has been confirmed are indicated by the red balloons. Previously, the presence of Didymo had not been detected at the two southernmost markers.

To learn more about Didymo, we have a Didymo factsheet (167KB pdf).

Chinese Mitten Crab Watch

The first-ever capture of the Chinese Mitten Crab in Maryland occurred in early June, 2006, but keep your eyes open for it. . Because this species spends most of its life in fresh waters, there is a chance (even though a very small chance) it could be found in Maryland's rivers and streams. For more information, please visit: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/infocus/mitten_crab.asp

Documents based on the second statewide Maryland Biological Stream Survey are online! Complete listing on the MBSS "What's New" page.

Be A Part of Something BIG!

Stream/Watershed Service Learning curriculum.
This guide is designed for Grades 3-8 and provides educators and students the opportunity to gain hands-on experiences with water quality monitoring.

DNR's Watershed Restoration Division explains how streams are formed in their publication: Maryland Streams; Take A Closer Look.

FREE DNR Online Newsletter features natural resources information and online services. Opt-in for this FREE newsletter today.

NOTE: This is NOT the same as the MBSS newsletter, but a text-only offering of what's new and exciting here at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Rivers & Streams 101 | Monitoring & Research | Restoration & Protection
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This page was updated: 10/20/2009