Rock Run Watershed

Portal Navigation Links (Level 1):
Residents | Government | Business | Culture

Department of Environmental Protection Navigation Links:

Rock Run and Potomac River Direct 4

These small watersheds drain primarily residential land uses and have seen some interesting history over the years. The streams in these areas are closely linked to the Potomac River floodplain and C&O Canal corridor. Gold-mining activity occurred in both of these areas in the years following the Civil War. Evidence of this can still be found in areas of the stream valleys, including large excavations, spoil piles, and U-shaped excavated channels where forests are regenerating.

The Rock Run watershed contains a mix of older residential areas interspersed with newer planned communities. Habitat conditions in the streams are generally good, owing to the forested stream valleys and relatively recent nature of large areas of development. Despite generally good habitat, the biological community in this watershed is showing signs of impairment, particularly the macroinvertebrate community which has low abundance.

The fish community in Rock Run is typical of that found in a relatively small watershed in Montgomery County. Fantail darters, rosyside dace, and white suckers were found throughout stations monitored in 1996.

Rock Run Stream Condition, Habitat Conditions, and Management Category Designations

Subwatershed/

Stream Condition
Habitat Condition
Primary Factors Affecting Stream Condition
Unique Characteristics and

Management Category

Upper Rock Run - POOR
GOOD Overall
Despite good habitat, biological community is poor. High nutrient loads may be contributing to condition.

Watershed Restoration Area

Lower Rock Run - FAIR
GOOD Overall
Fish community improves in this section due to influence from the Potomac River which allows more diverse population of fish to move up into the lower reaches of Rock Run.

Watershed Restoration Area

Avenel Trib. North - POOR

(preliminary)
No current data
Preliminary assessment of biological community is based on similarities between stream type and land use compared with Upper Rock Run.

Watershed Restoration Area

Avenel Trib. South - POOR

(preliminary)
No current data
Preliminary assessment of biological community is based on similarities between stream type and land use compared with Upper Rock Run.

Watershed Restoration Area

Potomac Direct 4
No current data

Rock Run Watershed Management Category

The Potomac Subregion Master Plan Study is currently underway which will include an examination of land use and stream condition relationships. Watershed management approaches will be updated in the CSPS as necessary to respond to land use recommendations.

Watershed Restoration Area

All of Rock Run is currently designated as a watershed restoration area due to the impaired biological community and the need to comprehensively examine and address impaired stream conditions throughout the watershed. In Rock Run, biological conditions are worse than would be expected to occur based on the habitat conditions, and possible water quality impairment should be further investigated . The potential for mitigating the effects of high density development located in the Potomac Village area at the intersection of River and Falls Road should also be further investigated. Additional information is necessary to further identify restoration needs in order to target efforts, and baseline monitoring of this watershed is scheduled for 2000. The effects of past gold-mining activities in this water should be closely examined to identify areas where channel restoration may be needed.

Watershed Management Strategy

Develop targeted public education and outreach program to promote watershed friendly yard care and turf management practices.
Conduct baseline biological monitoring to occur in 2000 and update preliminary resource conditions.
Further evaluate relationships between land use and stream conditions through the Potomac Subregion Master Plan Study.

Maps

Land Cover
Impervious Area
Stream Condition
Management Categories

Land Cover Graph

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Broad Run Watershed ] [ Cabin John Watershed ] [ Dry Seneca Watershed ] [ Great Seneca Creek Watershed ] [ Hawlings River Watershed ] [ Little Bennett Creek ] [ Little Falls Watershed ] [ Little Monocacy Watershed ] [ Little Paint Branch Watershed ] [ Little Seneca Watershed ] [ Muddy Branch Watershed ] [ NW Branch Watershed ] [ Paintbranch Watershed ] [ Patuxent River Watershed ] [ Rock Creek Watershed ] [ Rock Run Watershed ] [ Sligo Creek Watershed ] [ Watts Branch Watershed ]