Maryland Streams and Rivers

CHINESE MITTEN CRAB WATCH

The first-ever capture of the Chinese Mitten Crab in Maryland occurred in early June, 2006. 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

NEW!

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

Non-tidal Network Program
Nutrient and Sediment Trend Monitoring
QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLAN
Technical report for a network of sites located near USGS stream gages, that represent watersheds with relatively high loads of nutrients and sediments.

(470KB pdf file)

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.

Recent online publications

Methylmercury Concentrations in Fish from Tidal Waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
A methylmercury (MeHg)-based fish consumption advisory was issued by Maryland Department of the Environment in late 2001 based on measurements of MeHg in largemouth bass from MD reservoirs. The current study described in this report was designed to examine in more detail the concentration of MeHg in fish that inhabit the tidal portion of the Chesapeake Bay, specifically striped bass, white perch, and largemouth bass, all recreationally important species. Furthermore, the comparison of data for largemouth bass between the reservoirs and this study allowed the examination of the potential differences in Hg concentration between reservoir and estuarine fish of the same species. The study also examines the variability in fish total Hg and MeHg concentration and investigate potential influential factors controlling MeHg in fish.(410KB pdf file)

MARYLAND BIOLOGICAL STREAM SURVEY 2000-2004, Volume III: Ecological Assessment of Watersheds Sampled in 2002.
A major goal of the MBSS is to assess the ecological condition of Maryland's streams. This annual report presents results from watersheds sampled in 2002 and includes a history of the program, a description of methods and survey design, comparative assessments by watershed, detailed results for individual watersheds, and comparisons with Round One results (1995-1997).
See this summary page for some highlights of this document, or download the full document (12.2 MB pdf file)

"Mercury and Methylmercury Concentrations in Water and Largemouth Bass in Maryland Reservoirs"  is now online. This technical report examines the concentrations of mercury in muscle tissue of largemouth bass, and how these concentrations vary with fish size. In addition the study was designed to probe between-lake variability in fish concentration and investigate potential influential factors controlling mercury in fish. (598 KB pdf file)

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

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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.

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This page was updated on 8/15/2006