Tag Archive: streams
Stream Critters – Marbled Salamander
Introduction Marbled salamanders are marvelous critters. These thin-skinned, cold-blooded salamanders – and frogs and toads – survive winters without coats. That’s amazing. Salamanders can lose a leg or tail and
Stream Critters – Giant Stonefly
Introduction Picture this: an ancient adult stonefly lands on a stegosaurus. The stegosaurus doesn’t notice. The stonefly is looking for a mate, not a huge dinosaur, and it flies away.
Stream Critters – Acuminate Crayfish
Introduction “Look! Right there! Under that rock in the middle of the stream! Is that a lobster?” Nope. It’s a crayfish, the smaller freshwater cousin of the lobster. You can’t
Stream Critters
Introduction Eels have mystified people from Aristotle who thought they developed from earthworms to young Sigmund Freud who couldn’t find what makes a male eel a male and who switched
Join in the Celebration – Únete a la Celebración
Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week! We like to believe that every day should include awareness on how we affect our communities, rivers, stream and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. However, we realize
Kemp Mill Shallow Marsh Wetland
Wetlands Provide Ecosystem Services Wetlands are often described as the “kidneys of the landscape.” They help remove pollutants from runoff and moderate the flow of water to mitigate floods and
Booze Creek Gets a Face Lift
Nearly 1400 young trees find a new home along Booze Creek As of April 2021, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection has completed more than three quarters of the
2020 didn’t slow down the Watershed Restoration team
Its that time of year that our office has come to love. Time to submit our annual report to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for the County’s Municipal Separate
Road Salt is a Problem
Salt is useful because it is inexpensive and somewhat effective in breaking down ice and snow on our roads. Following a storm, major roads need to be safe and passable.
Reducing Stormwater Runoff and the Use of Deicing Chemicals
Pervious Pavement: What is it? Pervious pavement is a system for reducing stormwater runoff, ensuring less pollutants enter our waterways, as well as reducing the use of deicing chemicals during
RainScapes Rewards Program Pausing for a Few Months
We want to thank all that have expressed interest in our RainScapes Rewards program this year. We have received a record number of rebate applications, and at this time need
The Power of Scooping Poop
Have you ever heard of the Poop Fairy? No? Probably because there is no such thing. Pet owners across Montgomery County are responsible for picking up their pet’s waste when
No One Wants Trashy Water: Pollution Prevention
What is the Problem? Litter in our communities is detrimental local wildlife as it pollutes streams. Litter can be any piece of trash that is not put into the correct
Caring for Sligo Creek Walking Tour
County Green Streets and RainScapes Rewards projects in the Sligo Park Hills neighborhood provided inspiration to representatives of local congregations who recently attended a walking tour hosted by the National
Monitoring Montgomery County’s Streams
Did you know that September 18th is World Water Monitoring Day? Since 1995 Montgomery County has maintained a stream monitoring program. As a result, the program has tracked water quality
Maintenance and Inspection of Stormwater Best Management Practices
Did you know there are more than 17,000 Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Montgomery County? These stormwater BMPs protect rivers, streams and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay! Stormwater BMPs are
Artistic Messages of Consciousness, Community, and Clean Water
If you look closely, you will find many beautifully painted storm drains across Montgomery County with messages highlighting the importance of clean water and protecting the Chesapeake Bay. These designs
Stormwater Best Management Practices
August is water quality awareness month. At the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) the Watershed Restoration Division’ entire focus is water protection year-round! The Watershed Restoration Division is
Explore County’s water quality restoration work through interactive map and learn ways to save money!
This past June, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) developed an interactive web map with dynamic infographics. The interactive map displays the County’s restoration efforts that have taken
Streams of Consciousness: Knowing Where Our Stormwater Goes
Many storm drains in Montgomery County lead straight to streams, which then feed into larger streams and rivers and eventually lead to the Chesapeake Bay. We pass these storm drains
Montgomery County celebrates the Nation’s largest estuary with Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week (June 6th-14th)
From upstate New York to southern Virginia, and West Virginia’s panhandle to eastern Delaware, June 6th-14th is a time for us to celebrate the culture, history and natural
DEP Completes $19M Bay Restoration Grant
We’ve all driven over the American Legion Bridge and seen the muddy Potomac River after a rain storm. Ever wonder what it would take to reduce over 600,000 pounds of
What flows down the street, goes to the creek!
…And we have proof! Bill Wydro, a board members of the Regency Estates Citizens Association conducts periodic litter patrols of his neighborhood. One area routinely checked is Snakeden Creek, next
Blue Spotlight On: The Muddy Branch Watershed
DEP’s Blue Spotlight On series is a new feature for residents to learn about the County’s local watersheds.This is the second blog in the Blue Spotlight On series (check out
Investing in our community: A look at the first year of watershed grants
In 2016, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, awarded $350,000 in grants to community groups and nonprofit organizations working to improve our
MCPS students learn about bioretention gardens
Doug Marshall, a Watershed Planner with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, recently met with the members of the Green Team Club of Newport Mill Middle School to talk
DEP and MCPS team up to protect our waterways
On October 17th, fifth grade students from Strathmore Elementary School cut the ribbon to mark the officially completion of four Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) rain gardens. County Executive Isiah
Over $1 million announced to support stream restoration and stormwater management research
The Chesapeake Bay Trust, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (Montgomery DEP), and
What’s happening along Sligo Creek? An update on Montgomery Parks restoration efforts
If you have been walking along Sligo Creek recently, you may have noticed some of the many water quality improvement projects. Recently, Andy Frank and Matt Harper from Montgomery Parks led
70 cyclists ride length of Sligo Creek for clean water
More than 70 cyclists rode the length of Sligo Creek for the Friends of Sligo Creek‘s second Bike Ride for Clean Water on June 6. This year had double the
Looking for critters: How DEP monitors our streams in spring
The approach of spring brings a new sampling season for biological monitoring along with it. Between March 1st and April 30th, DEP will visit more than 100 stations to collect
Did you know? Green Streets are benefiting our streams
The Did You Know? segment of Montgomery County Cable examines various departments, services, programs, and partners of the County government. This episode features the Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Street program.
Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week – You’re more connected than you think
When most people think about the Chesapeake Bay they might think of crabs and oysters, summer vacations or taking the kayak for a paddle in the many estuaries and streams that feed
Bees, School Supplies, and Solar Panels – Why Montgomery County’s New Sustainability Program Manager Loves Her Job
How are protecting honey bees, donating gently used office supplies to schools, and installing solar panels connected? They are all part of Montgomery County’s efforts to maximize the sustainability of
DEP helps residents reduce waste and litter by offering free reusable bags
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reminds residents to bring reusable bags when holiday shopping to help reduce waste and litter in the community. Reusable bags are not just for
There’s no such thing as the poop fairy!
It’s one of my favorite things to say as I talk to people across the County on why we all need to pick up after our dogs. There is no magic wand
Get a “Buffer in a Bag” this spring!
Is your property in need of trees? Grab a “Buffer in a Bag” this Spring!
