Sligo Creek Watershed restoration- Silver Spring, MD

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A stormwater pipe improvement and bank stabilization on New Wheaton Creek

What was done and why?

Restoration in Sligo Creek is being done on the watershed scale; habitat restoration and stormwater management were completed to improve fish habitat and reintroduce native fish populations to the watershed. This project has been ongoing through different sections of the watershed since 1990. Because Sligo Creek is in a highly developed portion of the county, water quality and habitat quality were extremely poor. The many projects focused on improving instream and wetland habitats, controlling storm runoff, and stabilizing banks. The restoration did improve habitat for fish and aquatic insects, and native fish species were reintroduced from surrounding watersheds.

Who was involved?

Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning, Montgomery County Dept of Environmental Protection were all involved in the project.

Where can I see the results of the project?

Contact Doug Redmond and Montgomery County Dept of Park and Planning, or go for a walk along Sligo Creek Park for a close-up look at the extensive restoration throughout the stream corridor.

Why is this a model project?

The stream ecosystem has been improved to provide habitat that supports a greater diversity of aquatic insects and fish. Fish populations have been monitored yearly and the watershed is regularly monitored as part of a county-wide assessment.

Contact

Brooke Hassett, Department of Biology, University of Maryland
(301) 405-3799

bhassett@umd.edu

Dr. Margaret Palmer, Department of Entomology and Department of Biology, University of Maryland
(301)405-3795

mpalmer@umd.edu

Examples of stormwater management projects

Examples of instream habitat improvement

A stormwater pipe improvement and bank stabilization on New Wheaton Creek

Photos compliments of Cameron Weigand, Montgomery County Department of the Environment