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Watershed Restoration uses state-of-the-art techniques to reduce sediment, nutrients and pollution to the County’s streams and waterways.

Programs

The program structure provides a comprehensive framework of protection and restoration of the County’s natural resources. Projects are prioritized in part based on opportunities identified in watershed management plans. Project funding is supported primarily by County General Obligation Bonds and supplemented by State grant funds from the Maryland Departments of the Environment and Natural Resources and with grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

Projects

Baltimore County has a nationally recognized watershed improvement program for implementing stream restoration, shoreline enhancement and stabilization, reforestation, stormwater runoff and best management practice (BMP) projects. Featured below are before-and-after pictures of recently completed projects. To reveal more of the before or after images below, place your cursor on the white line between the images and drag either left or right.

East Beaverdam

Before image of East Beaverdam stream

Before

After image of East Beaverdam stream

After

This project was selected based on the goal of reducing sediment and nutrients from entering the Loch Raven Reservoir, severity of stream erosion, and the opportunity to install and improve streamside habitat. Stream banks were graded to a stable slope and armored at critical locations. A vegetated buffer was created with a variety of native plants to help stabilize the stream and improve riparian function and habitat.

 

Essex Skypark

Before image of Essex Skypark.

Before

After image of Essex Skypark.

After

This project improves water quality to Back River and the Chesapeake Bay by using structural and non-structural erosion control shoreline enhancement techniques. A series of stone breakwaters and marsh creation reduce nutrient and sediment loads as well as provide ecological uplift with improved tidal shallow water habitat and forested buffer.

 

General John Stricker Middle School

Before image of Gen Stricker restoration

Before

After image of Gen Stricker restoration.

After

This urban tree planting project was part of a County-wide effort to plant nearly 1,000 shade trees to increase the County’s urban tree canopy and lower long-term costs for heating and cooling at County school and government buildings. These trees will provide other environmental benefits, including intercepting nearly 144 million gallons of stormwater over 30 years.

 

Lower Spring Branch

Before image of Lower Spring restoration

Before

After image of Lower Spring restoration

After

A concrete drainage channel that was installed in the 1960s was beginning to deteriorate. The concrete channel ended abruptly causing severe erosion to adjacent streambanks. The concrete was removed and replaced with native materials using natural channel design techniques to adequately dissipate energy and improve ecological function of the waterway.

 

Mount Vista

Before image of Mount Vista restoration

Before

After image of Mount Vista restoration

After

This reforestation project converts 12 acres of an abandoned golf course to native oak canopy. As they grow, these trees provide high-quality wildlife habitat and help intercept and treat stormwater, reduce erosion and sediment, improve air quality, and shade streams.

 

Upper Gwynns Falls

Before image of Upper Gwynn Falls restoration

Before

After image of Upper Gwynn Falls restoration

After

One of five stormwater facility improvement projects in the Gwynns Falls watershed that was converted from runoff quantity control to water quality. Water quality is improved by increasing the time stormwater spends at the facility, allowing nutrients to be absorbed and sediment to settle. This facility was converted to extend the detention of storm water runoff in the pond by constructing forebays, shallow marsh wetland and micropools, and creating a sinuous water channel. Stormwater discharged from the facility has less nutrients and sediment than when it entered.

 

Explore Watersheds

Contact Us

Watershed Restoration and Waterway Improvement

County Office Building
111 West Chesapeake Avenue
Room 305
Towson, Maryland 21204

Phone

Fax

410-887-4804

Director

Horacio Tablada