Restore Rock Creek
Caryn Canfield
Eileen Straughan
http://www.restorerockcreek.org/
Agenda
Organization History
2. Rock Creek Watershed
3. Water Quality Challenges
4. What You Can Do
1.
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RestoreRockCreek.org started in 2009
Organization History
Rock Creek Watershed
Rock Creek Watershed
What Happens to Rainwater?
38% evapotranspiration
40% evapotranspiration
10%
runoff
20%
runoff
25% shallow
infiltration
25% deep
infiltration
Natural Ground Cover
21%
shallow
infiltration
v 10
– 20% Impervious Surface
30% evapotranspiration
35% evapotranspiration
55%
runoff
30%
runoff
20%
shallow
infiltration
21% deep
infiltration
15% deep
infiltration
20 – 70% Impervious
Surface
10%
shallow
infiltration
5% deep
infiltration
70– 100% Impervious
Surface
Run-off Variability with Increased Impervious Surfaces (FISRWG, 1998)
Nutrients
 Sediment
 Bacteria
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“….While the main causes of degradation in the 1970s were point
sources that could be targeted more directly, sources of
contamination are now prevalent throughout entire watersheds and
are caused in part by patterns of development, population growth,
and consumer behavior….”
Coming Together for Clean Water EPA’s Strategy to Protect America’s
Waters, March 30, 2011
Water Quality Challenges
Nutrient Sources
Soluble Nitrogen
 Stormwater Runoff
•Treatment plant with ENR
◦ Rooftops
(3mg/l)
•Septic System with Nitrogen
◦ Driveways
Removal 10mg/l
•Old Septic System 20◦ Roadways
NITROGEN
IS THE ENEMY
40mg/l
◦ Yards
 Sewage
◦ Treated and untreated
 Septic systems; a 24/7 source
 Pumping station overflows; an
infrequent source
Nutrients in Rock Creek
Nutrient Sources
 Animal waste
◦ Domestic
◦ Wildlife
 Air Pollution
40% of the
nitrogen inputs
to the Bay are
from
atmospheric
deposition
Nutrients in Rock Creek
Sediment Sources
Erosion
 Poor vegetative cover
 Uncontrolled stormwater
 Poorly maintained erosion sediment
control devices on construction sites
Sediment in Rock Creek
Bacteria Sources
 Illegal connections
 Leaking connections
 Failing septic systems
 Pet Waste
 Wildlife
 Raw sewage overflows
24/7 sources
vs
Weather related
incidents
Bacteria in Rock Creek
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2010 Non-Tidal Sampling
2010 Rainbarrel Demonstration and Sale
2011 Stream Clean Up
2011 Oyster Program
On-going coordination with Anne Arundel
County DPW
On-going Research to Prioritize
Restore Rock Creek Activities
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Join Us
Control your stormwater runoff
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Check car, boat, motorcycle for leaks
Wash on lawn, not driveway
Recycle used oil
Use fertilizer/pesticides sparingly and according to
directions AND soil test results
Plant deep rooted plants
Go native!
Sweep instead of hose
Vegetate bare spots
Replace waterfron lawn with native grasses
Eliminate impervious surfaces
Keep stormwater out of the roadways and stormwater
systems – Spread the water out and slow it down!
What YOU can do to help
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Don’t overwater lawn, use drip irrigation
Use nontoxic, biodegradable, recycled and
recyclable products
Clean paint brushes in sink, dispose of
unwanted paint safely
Disconnect downspouts
Install a rainbarrel
Install a rain garden
PICK UP AFTER PETS
Convert lawn to low maintenance landscaping
Plant a tree!
What YOU can do to help
Drain spas/pools to sewer where possible
 Make sure no chlorine in discharge – Use
Oxyclean
 Inspect and maintain septic system
regularly
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What YOU can do to help…