Protect Our Watershed

Water is a Finite Resource

Although the Earth has a large amount of water, only a small percentage of it is freshwater readily available for human use. All of the water we use for drinking, bathing, recreation, agriculture, and industry moves through the water cycle- but human activities can result in pollution and disruption of this natural process.

Water is a Shared Resource

All life on Earth is connected to and dependent on the water cycle. Actions we take at home and at work affect those who live downstream, as well as the plants and animals that need a healthy environment. The health of our local waterways depends on us being good stewards of this resource. Currently, the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem's health report card is a graded at C. So, what can we do to improve and protect our watershed?

Know Your Flow!

Learn which local watershed you live in- and what its health report card scores are! Visit: FrederickCountyMD.gov/StreamSurvey

How You Can Help

Please visit sections of our website to learn simple actions you can take that add up to a big, positive impact on our watershed.

Know Your Flow - Learn which local watershed you live in and how we monitor its health.
Litter Cleanups: Litter doesn't stay local. Trash blows into waterways and heads to the Bay and on to the Ocean. Sign up for a community cleanup in your area!
Storm Drain Marking: You can help educate the community about the importance of keeping stormwater management systems clean.
Doo Your Doody: Pet waste is a major contributor to poor water quality and aquatic habitat decline. Learn why then scoop it!
Septic Pump-Out Rebates: A clean tank helps prevent groundwater pollution. Get $75 to help take care of yours!
Report Pollution: Let us know if you spot spills or liquids that shouldn't be draining into storm drains and creeks.
Plant Trees: Whether getting $25 towards a single tree, or dedicating multiple acres to our Creek ReLeaf conservation easements, every tree planted helps ensure a cleaner, healthier watershed!

A bioswale is a landscaping feature that facilitates the slowing, collecting, and filtering of stormwater in a depressed, concentrated area. They are designed to manage a large quantities of stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces, like a parking lot or street. They are generally linear systems that are greater in length than width, and are vegetated with plants that can withstand both heavy watering and drought.