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Countywide Stream Protection Strategy

2001–2005 Stream Conditions
This map displays the County Stream Protection Strategy (CSPS) stream conditions from our last monitoring cycle (watersheds monitored from 2001-2005). The blue areas are in “Excellent” condition, green areas are “Good”, yellow areas are “Fair”, and red areas are in “Poor” or impaired condition. An updated CSPS map that includes stream conditions for watersheds monitored in 2006, 2007, and 2008 is expected to be completed in 2009. Reporting of trend information (where available) will also be provided.

CSPS Update: Significant Progress in Sligo Creek Restoration
The most extensive and long term stream restoration effort undertaken so far in Montgomery County, Maryland has focused on Sligo Creek. As in many of the County's older, heavily developed areas, the Sligo Creek watershed posed special challenges. Many of the important headwater tributaries were long ago piped and/or eliminated, and much of the stream channel was highly eroded and filled with debris. Click above to download entire file.

CSPS Update: Stream Conditions Trend Report
In 2001, DEP began its second five year biological monitoring cycle to
assess water quality conditions in all county watersheds. Previous
monitoring sites are being revisited to measure and compare water
quality conditions and changes over time. Our "yardstick" is the index
of biological integrity or IBI. DEP has an IBI for fish and one for
aquatic insects. The 2003 Update to the Countywide Stream Protection
Strategy (CSPS) examines trends by comparing stations that were monitored for fish and/or aquatic insects in 1994-1998 with those monitored in 1999-2001. Monitoring stations with two data sets available to enable this analysis included 143 stations for aquatic insects (Figure 1) and 139 stations for fish (Figure 2). Click above to download entire file.

CSPS 2003 Update [5.6 MB PDF]
In 2001, DEP began its second five year biological monitoring cycle to assess water quality conditions in all county watersheds. Previous monitoring sites are being revisited to measure and compare water quality conditions and changes over time. Our "yardstick" is the index of biological integrity or IBI. DEP has an IBI for fish and one for aquatic insects. The 2003 Update to the Countywide Stream Protection Strategy (CSPS) examines trends by comparing stations that were monitored for fish and/or aquatic insects in 1994-1998 with those monitored in 1999-2001.

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Pages 1-12
Pages 12-24
Gatefold: Maps

Countywide Stream Protection Strategy (CSPS) - 1998 Edition
Through this website, information can be accessed about the condition of local streams, and the land use characteristics of the watersheds that drain to these streams.