The PROBLEM: Sediment, Phosphorus and Nitrogen Pollution in Frederick County’s Streams and Rivers
As of 2012 all counties in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are on a water pollution diet, and are monitored for the amount of sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen that runs into streams and rivers.
How polluted are Frederick County streams?
watershed map
Eleven of the twenty watersheds are in poor health (source: a four year $270,000 survey (2008-2011) commissioned by Frederick County Office of Sustainability and Environment).
And that is why Friends of Frederick County joined forces with the Chesapeake Commons and the Potomac Riverkeeper to figure out a way for citizens to help clean our streams. We developed a way for citizens to report visual stream pollution areas with photos, location and some information – which we in turn get to those in charge of finding solutions. FoFC is also working hard to engage citizens to help solve the problems.
Join our team of app-using, grid adopting volunteers – who are giving us information about sources of pollution so we can move our county towards healthy and clean streams! ADOPT A GRID!
The SOLUTIONS: Sediment fences, cattle fences, stream buffer plantings, trash cleanups along Frederick County’s Streams and Rivers
Before and after photos of what we’ve already done:
Creek used for cattle crossing, trampled.
Farmer has agreed to keep cattle out, and is working with us and Stream-Links Education to plant trees.
tree planting
the group planted nearly 300 trees
