Watershed Studies
Harford County Water Resources conducts studies to identify stream water quality problems on a watershed basis. Activities that occur on the land that drains to the stream impact the water quality within that stream. Likewise, problems upstream or downstream can impact other problems. Therefore, it is essential to understand the dynamics of the entire watershed in order to develop a restoration plan.
Many types of watershed studies exist. They vary from costly computer modeling and water quality monitoring to simple visual observation. While the costs for these studies vary greatly, each study essentially uses the same basis for developing a study plan. Each study determines existing conditions within the watershed, assesses the problems, and prioritizes the problems.
Various solutions exist for addressing each type of problem. These solutions can be either structural controls or non-structural controls. Structural controls can include the construction of a stormwater wetland or stream restoration, or the planting of trees along the stream channel. Non-structural controls are programs that encourage responsible water resources management practices. Some of these practices include grass cycling or mulching, proper fertilizer and pesticide application, and oil and antifreeze recycling.
Stream Surveys
Water Resources has based Harford County’s watershed study program on visual assessment of water quality problems. Under this program all stream segments for each watershed are visually inspected for erosion, unshaded stream banks, inadequate streamside buffers, trash dumping, potential wetland creation areas and barriers to fish migration. Each site is photographed and a series of data sheets are filled out for each of the problems identified. The techniques used are based on Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Stream Corridor Assessment Methods. Problems within each category are ranked based on how severe the problem is, how easy the problem is to correct and how easy it is to access the problem for repairs. Water Resources chooses projects for restoration based on their severity, accessibility and the ability to use methods that have been successful on past projects.
Harford County Water Resources focuses on addressing those problems caused by uncontrolled or inadequately controlled stormwater runoff. This list is evaluated and used to develop individual structural or non-structural solutions for each problem. Water Resources coordinates with other agencies or groups in addressing those problems not directly related to stormwater runoff such as unshaded stream banks and fish barriers.
Harford County contains four river basins or watersheds; the Bush River Basin, the Gunpowder River Basin, the Lower Susquehanna River Basin, and the Upper Western Shore Basin.
Within the Bush River Basin, stream surveys have been completed for Bynum Run (1996), Winters Run (1998), and Church Creek (2002). Within the Gunpowder River Basin, stream surveys have been completed for Foster Branch (1997), Rumsey Island (1999), and Little Gunpowder (2000).
Within the Lower Susquehanna River Basin, stream surveys have been completed for portions of Deer Creek (2005) by Harford County’s Department of Planning and Zoning. Within the Upper Western Shore Basin, stream surveys have been completed for Swan Creek (1995).
Watershed Restoration Strategies
Harford County Water Resources has used several methods to summarize the data collected within the stream surveys in order to address the problems identified. The methods vary from a formal written implementation plan, to an engineering study for restoration projects, to a written summary of the stream survey data.
Bush River Watershed Management Plan (2003)
Most recently, Harford County Water Resources completed the Bush River Management Plan with assistance from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) under the Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS) program. The WRAS program provided technical assistance and grant funds to Harford County. Technical assistance provided included preparation of a written characterization of the Bush River Basin, a stream survey for the Church Creek Subbasin, and synoptic water quality monitoring, or monitoring conducted over a broad area that captures a snapshot of current conditions.
This information and past stream surveys for Winters Run and Bynum Run were used in the development of the management plan. Harford County Water Resources used the grant funds to hire the Center for Watershed Protection to develop the plan. The plan outlines various approaches to implement in order to improve water quality within the Bush River Basin. Some of the approaches include restoration projects, preservation of contiguous areas of forested stream buffers, and public outreach programs, such as adopt-a-pond for community stormwater management facilities.
Bush River Water Quality Monitoring (1988) (2.45MB PDF file)
A written summary of water quality data collected in 1988 was completed for the Bush River Basin. Twenty-four sites were sampled approximately biweekly for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia, nitrate, total phosphate, orthophosphate, turbidity, bacteria, flow, and aquatic insects. A total of 26 sample dates were completed with 7 taken during periods of precipitation or snowmelt.
The results demonstrate a historical snapshot of water quality impairment on a site specific basis with most sites indicating high nutrient and bacterial levels. Despite the impairments, aquatic insect communities were healthy.
Bynum Run Stream Survey Data (1996) (Not available )
A written summary of the survey data collected in 1996 was completed for the Bynum Run Subwatershed. Included in the summary is an outline of the methods used to collect the data. The report summarizes the data collected on the field data sheets and provides graphical representation of the various categories of problem types including erosion, unshaded stream banks, inadequate streamside buffers, trash dumping, potential wetland creation areas, and barriers to fish migration. For the 100 miles of stream surveyed in the Bynum Run Subwatershed, 780 problems were identified including 214 erosion sites and 141 fish blockages.
This report is used by Harford County Water Resources as a reference in determining the locations of potential restoration projects and as a baseline for existing conditions. Photographs taken during the stream survey were also compiled under a separate document.
Bynum Run Engineering Study (1998) (Not available)
In 1998, a study was completed for the Bynum Run Subwatershed that provided individual site assessment for 18 sites. The sites were identified through the Bynum Run stream survey as those sites ranked to be the most severe and the easiest to correct where uncontrolled or inadequately controlled stormwater was the potential cause.
A consultant hired by Harford County Water Resources provided an assessment for each of the 18 sites. The assessment determined whether each site was suitable for restoration. For the sites where restoration was recommended, the consultant prepared concept plans including preliminary engineering calculations and cost estimates for the design and construction of structural controls such as stormwater management and stream restoration. Restoration projects for 4 of the 13 sites recommended for restoration are under design or have been completed by Harford County Water Resources.
Foster Branch Stream Survey Data (1997) (920KB PDF file)
A written summary of the survey data collected in 1997 was completed for the Foster Branch Watershed. Included in the summary is an outline of the methods used to collect the data. The report summarizes the data collected on the filed data sheets and provides graphical representation of the various categories of problem types including erosion, unshaded stream banks, inadequate streamside buffers, trash dumping, potential wetland creation areas, and barriers to fish migration. For the 12 miles of stream surveyed in the Foster Branch Watershed, 56 problems were identified including 31 erosion sites and 6 inadequate buffer sites.
Also included in this report is a summary of recommended restoration projects such as stormwater management and stream restoration. Restoration projects for 1 of the 6 sites recommended for restoration are under design or have been completed by Harford County Water Resources.
Swan Creek Engineering Study (1996) (Not available)
In 1996, a study was completed for the Swan Creek Subbasin that provided individual site assessment for 35 sites. The sites were identified through the Swan Creek stream survey as those sites ranked to be the most severe and the easiest to correct where uncontrolled or inadequately controlled stormwater was the potential cause.
A consultant hired by Harford County Water Resources provided an assessment for each of the 35 sites. The assessment determined whether each site was suitable for restoration. For the sites where restoration was recommended, the consultant prepared concept plans including preliminary engineering calculations and cost estimates for the design and construction of structural controls such as stormwater management and stream restoration. Restoration projects for 4 of the 13 sites recommended for restoration are under design or have been completed by Harford County Water Resources.
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