West and Rhode Riverkeeper

by Chris Trumbauer

If you travel up the Chesapeake Bay far enough, you will find the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River, near the Maryland/Pennsylvania border. “Conowingo” is a Native American word that means “at the rapids” and the dam is located at the site of the first rapids one would encounter when heading up the river from the Bay. Completed in 1928, the dam is currently owned and operated by Exelon, and is one of the largest hydro-electric dams in the country, not owned by the federal government.

A lot of water flows over the dam – and by a lot I mean a daily average of nearly 42,000 cubic feet per second. The Susquehanna supplies about 50% of the freshwater input to the Chesapeake Bay. The West and Rhode Rivers are tidal, and their water quality is significantly influenced by the water in the Bay. So, as you might expect, there is a link between the Susquehanna River water coming through the Conowingo, and the health of the West and Rhode Rivers. Studies by the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center on the Rhode River demonstrate this, but you can also see it on satellite imagery after a major rainfall – when a visible sediment plume reaches our area from Conowingo.

Over the course of its life, the Conowingo Dam has trapped nearly 200 million tons of sediment behind it. This sediment consists of 85 years worth of upstream runoff, including everything from farm fields and construction sites to residential lands. The ability of the dam to store any more sediment is almost done – its just about full.  What happens then?

When the dam can no longer store sediment, it (the sediment) will simply continue down the river and into the Bay. More importantly, during a tropical storm or other large rain event, the raging river flow through the dam‘s flood gates can scour the sediment stored behind the dam. This can, as in 1972 with Hurricane Agnes, deliver a catastrophic amount of sediment to the Bay – far more than there would be in a big storm if the dam was not there. When too much sediment enters the Bay, it clouds the water, and impacts natural resources like oysters and underwater grasses. The nutrient pollution that accompanies the sediment will cause algae blooms and dead zones.

How do we stop this from happening? There is no easy answer, but we must address this situation before its too late. One opportunity involves the once-in-a-generation relicensing of the Conowingo by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The current license was issued in 1980 and is due to expire in 2014. Exelon has applied for a 46-year license to continue operating the dam.

Our partner, the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper, has been working on this issue since 2006 and participating in the relicensing process since 2009.  They asked West/Rhode Riverkeeper to join them in this effort.  As part of the Waterkeepers Chesapeake coalition, we have petitioned to be included in the relicensing proceedings. We believe that Exelon should share in the responsibility for cleaning up the millions of tons of sediment trapped behind their dam. The fact is that if the dam was not there, then the unnatural accumulation of sediment behind the dam would not exist. The State of Maryland has the authority to require certain conditions to grant a new FERC license, and we are urging them to use this opportunity to maximize our efforts to remove this sediment.

Some in Maryland are pointing to Conowingo as an excuse not to implement local measures to reduce stormwater pollution. Their reasoning goes something like this: “If the Susquehanna River is putting so much pollution into the Bay, whatever we do locally won’t make a difference.” That is simply untrue. While flow from the Susquehanna certainly is a major driver of water quality in the main stem of the Bay, just cleaning up the Susquehanna will not heal the Bay. Additionally, the local impacts are far more important to our rivers, creeks, and streams. Local stormwater runoff from developed areas and farm fields, and failing septic systems are what is responsible for our high bacteria levels and water contact advisories.

Let’s not use Conowingo as an excuse – let’s use it as an opportunity. Here is a chance to act that won’t come around again for 46 years. If we can require Exelon to remove at least some of the sediment from behind Conowingo, and reduce the threat of a catastrophic event, we can enhance and secure our local efforts to reduce pollution and improve water quality. Addressing all sources of pollution is the only way we can make true progress in our fight for clean water.

Restoration Update – Fall 2013

Summer is the time of year for everyone to get outside and enjoy the water.  We have certainly been enjoying getting out with our volunteers and restoring our greatest public resource!  Here are a few projects that we’ve been working on:

Jack Creek Park is Open for Business!   

After several months of working with Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks and the AA County Water Access Committee, Jack Creek Park is finally opened to the public.  This is a wonderful 60 acre piece of property located off of Snug Harbor Road in Shady Side and situated on the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay.  The county recently installed a parking area that fits 14 cars and a series of trails wrapping around in the inland portions of the park and extending all the way down to the water.  When visitors reach the water they can see the Bay Bridge to the north and wide open Bay to the south.  The park is currently being managed as a meadow so you can see all sorts of interesting wildlife.  Wildlife in the park includes Osprey, Heron, Bald Eagles, Wild Turkey, and a number of different species of songbirds.  This park is still a work in progress and we can’t wait to see what will happen next.  We would like to give special thanks to Anne Arundel County Rec and Parks and the Water Access Committee for their commitment to this effort! See more pictures of the park HERE.

To enter the park call 410-222-7317 between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm to receive a code to a combination lock connected to the gate.

Designs for the stream restoration project in a BGE right of way are well on their way.

Engineers are still hard at work drawing up designs for a stream restoration project to take place in a Baltimore Gas and Electric transmission line right of way.  West/Rhode Riverkeeper has been keeping close contact between the engineers and BGE to make sure that the final product is something that will both satisfy the needs of the power company and will help the environment.  The final designs will include relocating the channel so it curves more to dissipate energy, create floodplain benches so that flood waters can exit the main channel and slow down, create wetlands throughout the area and native plantings to provide sound habitat and stabilize the area.  The project is now entering into one of its final stages and will soon go in for permits while construction funds are acquired.

First year of Marylanders Grow Oysters was a success; looking forward to next year.

Our dedicated team of 17 volunteers grew and planted an estimated 16,600, 1 inch long oysters in the Bay this year.  These oysters were raised on volunteer’s docks for one year and planted on a sanctuary in the South River. Growing them for one year gives the young oysters a head start before being planted in the wild.  This Fall, we’ve grown to 25 volunteers and we hope that we can continue to grow so we may help bolster local oyster population.

Plantings Abound!

West/Rhode Riverkeeper has organized a number of planting projects throughout the summer.  Wetland gardens were created at the Carrie Weedon Science Center and Chesapeake Yacht Club.  These gardens are a form of conservation landscaping that uses native plants to embrace the conditions of the typically moist and clay soils.  The underwater grass species, Redhead, was also planted in the cove next to Discovery Village.  Unfortunately, murky conditions in the water this year lead to poor survival of the grasses.  Murky water prevents the grasses from receiving light and is the main reason grasses cannot grow in the West and Rhode Rivers.  750 plugs composed of a mix of Spartina alterniflora and Saptina patens were also planted at Shady Cove Natural Area to help stabilize the shoreline.

Maintenance is crucial.

A critical part of all restoration projects is maintenance.  Without revisiting projects and fixing the small issues that arise, projects will not function properly and could eventually end up causing more harm than good.  Therefore, we will be organizing teams of volunteers to weed the Rain Garden in Galesville and stabilize some parts of the Camp Letts treatment wetland project.  We want to keep the projects looking and functioning great!  Maintenance plans will also be created for wetland garden plantings and some upcoming living shoreline projects.

To volunteer, contact Joe at or call 410-867-7171.

by Sam Hartman

My name is Sam Hartman. I am very excited about become apart of the West/Rhodes Riverkeeper team. This was only possible because of the Chesapeake Conservation Corp program that is funded by the Chesapeake Bay trust.  During this yearlong internship I will help with water quality fieldwork and annual report cards. I will also help assist with current restoration projects and create new ones to keep these rivers clean. By working on these rivers I hope to promote goals of the CBT that are to help clean and create a sustainable Chesapeake bay.

I have lived in Maryland all my life and I know how important the Bay is to our wonderful state.  I grew up in Chevy Chase Maryland and watched how dumping and polluting near DC still affected the Bay.  From an early age I knew that I had to do something to help this great watershed.  I have been apart of many restoration projects there and even was apart of a team of people that lay down anti dumping signs on storm drains that eventually lead to the Bay.

With the Bay in mind, I decided to go Washington College to study environmental science and do water quality research work. While there I conducted research projects that included determining if storm water runoff was washing away nutrient loads of the watershed that surrounded the town of Easton. For my senior thesis I researched the effects of a farmland that was overtop an exposed outcrop of what was thought to be the Columbia aquifer.

With all of this water quality research, I hope to promote cleaner waters and find out first hand what it takes to actually clean up a watershed and not just research the problems that are occurring. I know working for the West/Rhodes Riverkeepers I will have a chance to get my feet wet in cleaning up the water.

While not helping to clean up the bay, I love to be outside. I enjoy going fishing and being out on boats. I also long board around my area and play Frisbee with friends whenever it’s a nice day out. 

by Mike Lofton 

The old sage Bill Burton said it best, “How can vital citizen support come about to save the Chesapeake without access to it? People must have a taste of the Bay before they are willing to fight and sacrifice for its well-being.”

I’m not sure when Bill first made this astute observation but I read it in a Bay Weekly article about 10 years ago.  It’s a timeless truth.  People take care of things that are important to them; that they are proud of; things that they love.

I am convinced that a significant element in our failure to “clean-up” the Chesapeake is the relatively small number of us that have that personal passionate relationship with the Bay that Mr. Burton described.

Simply put, citizens need abundant, convenient and varied access to the Chesapeake.  We have a lot of improving to do.  Bay-wide the National Park Service estimates the public has access to about 2% of the shoreline.  In Anne Arundel County the situation is no better.  Shockingly, with more than 500 miles of shoreline, Anne Arundel County offers its citizens not a single public boat ramp or a single public beach.  Thankfully, the State of Maryland provides boat ramps and beaches at Sandy Pt.  State Park.  However, the park often fills by mid-morning on summer weekends and Rt 50 at the Bay Bridge is often a problem.  The City of Annapolis has a boat ramp at Truxton Park.

There is hope!  A first-ever County ramp is in the works at Ft. Smallwood Park in North County.  The County Rec & Parks Dept has addressed the problem head-on in its new Plan for Public Recreation and has adopted the recommendations of a citizen Water Access Committee to create public access on both shorelines of every major river in the County.

Change is happening locally as well.  A new 58 acre waterfront Park is opening at Jack Creek in Shadyside.  Unnecessary permit requirements for access to Beverly-Triton Beach Park have been removed.  Take a look at a new interactive map to discover existing & potential access points,   https://mapsengine.google.com/map/u/0/embed?mid=zd5StXLeFOcg.kVnj9hDuXR1U

If you have questions, ideas or would like to participate please contact Mike Lofton  msl49@aol.com

We’re working hard to restore these resources that are essential to the Bay’s health.  To increase the number of oysters in the Bay we coordinate the Marylanders Grow Oysters (MGO) program in the Rhode River.  In the MGO program, volunteers receive their oysters in the Fall and care for them until early spring.  By caring for the oysters over the winter they are able to get a head start in life and are placed on sanctuaries when they are viable (about an inch long).  Year-old oysters are more resistant to parasites and not as susceptible to predation by crabs and cow-nosed rays.  This past year we were able to recruit 17 volunteers to grow 83 cages of oysters off their docks.  Each cage contains about 200 oysters and we estimate that our volunteers grew over 16,600 oysters!  Volunteers then planted their oysters in a sanctuary in the South River this past June where they will live happily and clean the Bay for years to come.

Want to help the cause? Volunteer this year to help us grow even more oysters! These little filter feeders can make a big difference in our rivers! Contact Joe for details.

by Chris Trumbauer

Summer is here. Our Honeydipper pumpout boat is patrolling the rivers, our water quality monitoring teams are sampling weekly, and a myriad of sailboats, pleasure craft, commercial watermen, and kayaks can once again be seen daily on the West and Rhode Rivers. It’s a beautiful scene.

As we progress from Spring to Summer, there are always strange weather days – days which seem too hot or too cold for that time of year. Critiquing the weather is an age-old Maryland tradition.  However, recent extreme weather, both locally and around the world, have brought discussions of climate change back to the forefront.

Scientists have now announced that we have passed a critical milestone: a concentration of 400ppm of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere – an amount never before recorded in human history. The chief sources of CO2 from human activity are burning fossil fuels for electricity (coal, oil) and transportation (gasoline, diesel). High levels of CO2 help trap heat in the atmosphere, and are blamed for rising worldwide temperatures. Scientists warn us that our climate is changing. Why is this bad?

A changing climate will affect our natural resources. Already, in many areas of the Chesapeake Bay, underwater grasses are dying off because of the higher water temperatures. More extreme weather events can mean more stormwater pollution entering our waterways, as heavy storms cause flooding and stream erosion. Our oceans and waterways are becoming more acidic, which affects the natural ecosystem.

Other effects will be seen – and felt. Wildfires are predicted to increase, animal migratory patterns will change, droughts will be more frequent, and even pollen levels will go up.

However, perhaps the most significant potential threat to the West and Rhode River watersheds is sea level rise. Warming temperatures mean accelerated melting of the polar ice caps, resulting in more liquid water in our oceans. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that after very little change in 2,000 years, sea level rose seven inches in the 20^th Century, and is projected to rise as much as two feet during this century. Much of the coastal area in the West and Rhode River watersheds could be flooded if this occurs.

If you think climate change and sea level rise is just banter for environmentalists and college students, think again. Insurers are raising their rates (looked at your flood insurance lately?) and a recent report in the New York Times explains how insurance companies are extremely concerned about climate change but are doing very little to address the problem.

What about us? Will we bury our head in the sand and hope that the harbingers are wrong and that the predictions are overstated? Or will we include climate change in our strategic decisions regarding how we protect, conserve, and restore our natural resources? I love the West and Rhode Rivers and I want them to continue to be among the most beautiful places on the Chesapeake Bay. There are things we can and must do to reduce emissions and "greenhouse gasses." It’s time to take the threat of climate change seriously. Burying your head in the sand usually doesn’t work, especially when the tide starts coming in.

by Will Saffell

The Chesapeake Bay is known for its diverse and productive fisheries. Crabs, oysters, rockfish, and menhaden are among the highest profile species in the region. Various media have covered the issues associated with these fisheries.  These fisheries are regulated, and closely watched, and receive attention when issues arise, such as low catch rates or escalating prices. There is however a less conspicuous fishery in the Chesapeake.

Many people are unaware that the harvesting of snapping turtles is actively occurring in the waters of the Chesapeake. This is somewhat surprising given the length of the fishery's existence. Archeological evidence suggests the harvest of Snapping Turtles in the Chesapeake region dates as far back as 1000 BC, and it continues to be an in-demand food item throughout the world.  While the popularity of turtle based dishes has fallen throughout the United States, it is still a commodity in many countries, most notably China. This international demand makes up a significant portion of sales and is a driving source behind the Chesapeake’s harvest.

Unlike other fisheries in the Chesapeake, the harvest of snapping turtles has not been the subject of heavy regulation and few limits have historically existed. As a result, watermen were more limited by the market than by official regulation. This allowed for a largely unmonitored industry that had little information available to determine how harvesting was impacting wild populations. Nonetheless, some areas did have unofficial size limits. Distributors and butcher shops that bought the turtles from watermen often would not want to purchase turtles any smaller than 8’’ or 9’’ because of the minimal amount of meat that they could get off of one turtle. Thus the market basically created a self-managing size limit in areas with such particular distributors. However, the size of 8’’ does not necessarily reflect any meaningful value from a sustainable harvest standpoint. When setting restriction on size and catch limits, they should be based on scientific data to ensure that the regulations have biological significance. 

Watermen who harvest snapping turtle were aware that there was little information on how populations were being effected, and had concerns if current practices were sustainable. In turn, the Snapping Turtle Workgroup was formed in 2007. It consists of watermen, seafood dealers, MD DNR (Fisheries Service, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Natural Resources Police), scientists from Towson University and University of Maryland, National Aquarium in Baltimore, Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society, aquaculturists, Nuisance Wildlife Control Operations, Maryland Trappers Association, and Conservation International/UCN. One of the first actions the Workgroup took was to set a precautionary 9’’ minimum size limit on snapping turtles. This size limit was based on observations waterman made, but they realized more data was needed to make a meaningful size limit. 

To determine a biologically meaningful size limit, Patrick Cain and Richard Seigel of Towson University gathered size structure data by measuring turtles from butcher shops and accompanied watermen while trapping.  They compared data from harvested vs. unharvested populations and determined that a size limit of 11’’ curved carapace (top shell) length would be needed to protect 50% of female turtles. Based on this study, the Workgroup made recommendations to increase the previous size limit. These recommendations were soon put into law and marked as one of the largest advances in protecting this natural resource.  This is noteworthy, as it was made under the industry's own initiative, and not imposed from an outside force. Watermen realized that they would reduce their future catch and decided to sacrifice short term profit margins for long term benefits.

The Workgroup has taken great steps to make the harvest of snapping turtles in Maryland more sustainable, however there is an inherit concern with harvesting wild turtle populations. Unlike other species that mature quickly and reproduce in great numbers (i.e., crabs and oysters), turtles have a reproductive strategy that is rooted in longevity. Turtles express delayed maturity in which it takes an individual well over a decade to become capable of reproducing. On top of this, egg clutches are small and nests are often subject to predation, thereby further reducing the number of young per year. Therefore a majority of offspring do not survive to reproductive age. In addition, time it takes an individual to replace itself is remarkably long - not to mention the time it would take for a population to grow. These characteristics led to a population that is heavily reliant on adults and those nearing maturity, which also happen to be the most desired individuals for harvesting.

The reproductive strategies of turtles led to another major question that needs to be answered: what percent of the population needs to be protected in order to ensure its sustainability?  Unfortunately, such a study may not exist.  Time will tell if the current regulations will be enough to create a sustainable harvest. However, if  it turns out that more stringent regulations are needed, the people who work in snapping turtle trade seem willing to take the  necessary actions to ensure the long term survival of the industry . The watermen involved in making these regulations deserve recognition for their initiative and ability to be proactive in a world where management of natural resources seems to be persistently retroactive. 

More information on the Snapping Turtle Workgroup and current Regulations can be found at: http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/turtle/meeting.asp

by Joe Ports

On a warm and clear morning in late April, 50 seventh grade students from Southern Middle School planted roughly 280 trees and shrubs in Galesville Park.  The goal of the planting was to improve the forested buffer along Lerch Creek.   Forested buffers are the last line of defense for our waterways and work to filter polluted runoff before it enters out rivers and Bay.  Prior to the planting, the area was just mowed turf grass that cost money to maintain and allowed polluted stormwater to flow directly into the creek.  Now over the coming years the area will evolve into a forest that will provide fantastic habitat and require no maintenance.

As part of this planting project, Restoration Coordinator Joe Ports went into the student’s classroom before the planting and gave a presentation on the importance of forested buffers and how they improve our watershed.  Once the students were armed with the knowledge of why they were planting, they were eager to get outside and get the trees in the ground.  They were also excited to learn that some of the species of tree they were planting produced edible fruits, like Paw Paws, Persimmons, and Hazelnuts. Not only do these fruiting trees provide treats for park visitors, but are also an important food source for wildlife.

Projects like this are vital to the future of our Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.  Projects such as this planting and so many others across the state instill a sense of stewardship in the next generation of Bay residents.  Planting these trees connected the students to the watershed and taught them the value of citizen action to help solve some of the Bay’s most pressing issues.

This planting was funded by the Governor’s Stream Challenge, a grant program aimed at getting students involved in the planting of forested buffers throughout the state.  We extend a huge thank you to Arlington Echo, Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks and the Department of Natural Resources for all their help with this project.

by Joe Ports

On April 13, we celebrated the completion of our Camp Letts Restoration project with a volunteer tree planting event. Thanks to a grant from the Maryland Urban and Community Forestry Committee we were about to purchase 9 more species of plants to add over 100 additional trees and shrubs to the project.  The volunteers were joined by "VIPs" Bob Summers, Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment, and Dr. Jana Davis, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust.  We are very pleased with the project and look forward to seeing it treat water and evolve through the years.

We've also completed a new Living Shoreline in Bear Neck Creek on the Rhode River.  Working with a private landowner, we received a grant from Chesapeake Bay Trust to fix their rapidly eroding shoreline.  The project installed stone breakwaters and native grasses (Spartina alterniflora and Spartina patens).  Keep an eye out when you’re going up the creek past Blue Water Marina and you’ll see it.  We also just received funds for another shoreline up the creek.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) have just completed the first phase of their living shoreline on Cheston Point.  The breakwaters and sand were placed last fall and the native grasses (Spartina alterniflora and Spartina patens) were just planted in mid-May.  SERC will continue to seek funds to finish the other phases of the shoreline, with the ultimate goal being to protect the entire point.

The design for our stream restoration project in the Baltimore Gas and Electric transmission line right-of-way (ROW) in Harwood is nearly complete. The plan, by Sustainable Science, LLC, consists of some minor modifications to the stream’s steep bank walls that will allow for storm water to flow out of the channel into a proper floodplain.  Wetlands areas will also be added to slow down and treat water, as well as provide fantastic habitat for wildlife.  The largest feature of the design will be a complete realignment of the stream’s channel at a portion that is quickly eroding a cliff near the base of one of the transmission towers. Thanks to Baltimore Gas and Electric for being such valued partners in this project.

The Redhead underwater grass that we have been growing is ready to be planted. We have been growing these native underwater grasses for the past year and will plant them in the sheltered cove in front of our office (where we can keep an eye on them).  We hope that these new underwater grasses will get established and thrive.

Members of the Chesapeake Conservation Corps and Watershed Stewards Academy joined us Monday June, 3^rd to plant about 900 plugs of Spartina patens at Shady Cove natural area.  These plugs will provide great habitat for Bay creatures and their roots will help to hold the sand in the shoreline.

In mid-June, a Wetland Garden will be installed at the Chesapeake Yacht Club in Shady Side. This project will contain a variety of native vegetation and demonstrate the value of Conservation Landscaping to its members. CYC has been seeking ways to increase stewardship of the Bay and reduce its impact. This is just one of several potential projects that were identified at the Club, and we are hoping that is the beginning of other conservational practices that will minimize the Club`s environmental impact. This project is Will Saffell's "Capstone" project for the Chesapeake Conservation Corps.

At Carrie Weedon Science Center, West/Rhode Riverkeeper designed and built a wetland enhancement project that transformed a drainage ditch into 150ft wetland garden. On May 18^th, over a dozen volunteers planted over 350 plants and install the garden. The teachers have already begun using it as an educational tool for the Center`s students. It has provides a place for children to interact with wetland species and learn about the value of wetland habitat.

Also at Carrie Weedon, we will be planting a native meadow on the site of the former basketball court. Once complete, the project will provide a beautiful meadow full of native wildflowers and grasses. Students will be able to interact with the meadow and learn about the life that can be found in this habitat type. The Carrie Weedon projects were made possible through McCarthy and Associates and Unity Gardens. McCarthy and Associates has been instrumental in the making of these two projects through lending their expertise, manpower, and equipment.

With the coming of Spring comes our "busy season!" Get ready to go outside and get dirty cleaning up the rivers!  This Spring we will have a number of volunteer events to help clean up the West and Rhode Rivers.  To get more details RSVP to Joe Ports at or at 410-867-7171.

Tree Planting at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center - March 9th 9am - 2pm

Spend a beautiful Spring morning planting trees at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center off of Cumberstone Road in Harwood.

(See the map of the site below, call Joe at 443-844-4174 with any problems)

Tree Planting at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center - March 13th 9am - 2pm

Spend a beautiful Spring morning planting trees at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center off of Cumberstone Road in Harwood.

(See the map of the site below, call Joe at 443-844-4174 with any problems)

Project Clean Stream at Beverly-Triton Beach - April 6th 9am – 12pm

Help us along with the Anne Arundel County Public Water Access Committee clean up piles of garbage from the beautiful Beverly-Triton Park.

Watershed Snapshot - April 13th 8am – 12pm

Help us get a “Snapshot” of the West, Rhode and South River Watersheds.  You will ride around the watersheds and collect water samples from streams and return them to the South River Federation office for the samples to be analyzed.  You’ll need to attend one training in early April.

CEPA annual Forum: "Healthy Bay, Healthy Fisheries?"

Saturday, April 20, 2013 — Schmidt Conference Center, SERC, Edgewater, MD

7:00 PM

Get more information at http://www.cepaonline.org/forums.htm

Water Quality Monitoring Starts – mid-April 

The 2013 water quality-monitoring season will begin on May 1st.  Join our team of volunteers as they go out every Wednesday morning to check on the health of the rivers.

SAV Planting at Discovery Village – Early May

Get ready to get wet planting Redhead grass in the cove in front of Discovery Village.