Streams in the lower Patuxent tend to exhibit higher levels of impairment than the tributaries in the upper watershed above Triadelphia. This may be due in part to less forest cover, particularly in upstream reaches.

Lower Patuxent Stream Condition, Habitat Conditions, and Management Category Designation

Lower Patuxent Watershed Management Categories

Watershed Preservation Areas

The Patuxent Dr. and Dustin Rd. tributaries, and the direct drainage and Lower Patuxent mainstem are designated Watershed Preservation Areas due to the excellent habitat conditions in these two areas. Biological conditions are good rather than excellent in these areas due to barriers to fish migration which affect this component of the biological community. In the case of the Dustin Rd. tributary, this is a natural barrier created by a waterfall. The overall high quality conditions in these tributaries should continue to be preserved by the low density land uses, parkland and conservation areas in these watersheds. The Lower Patuxent mainstem area is also placed in this category due to the large areas currently protected by public land surrounding the reservoir. Baseline monitoring in this area will be used to refine the management approach if necessary

• Promote use of best management practices and implementation of the Primary Management Area guidelines in these tributaries to help to address sediment levels in the streams.
• Pursue measures to improve headwater habitat in the Kruhm tributary and to improve fish passage.
  

Watershed Protection Areas

Remedial level of protection

Both the Ednor tributary and the Oursler Rd. tributary are placed in this category despite their having only fair stream conditions, pending the results of baseline monitoring. They are placed in the remedial level of protection, rather than the Watershed Restoration Area category, due to the good habitat conditions, and preliminary stream assessment. High levels of sediment are found in these streams. Further monitoring will indicate whether more extensive restoration efforts are needed. Currently, remedial improvements to increase forested buffers and stabilize eroding banks are recommended. The Foxes Branch is also placed in this category, in order to target remedial approaches to improve stream habitat, which is fair.

• Conduct baseline monitoring, to occur in 1999, to update preliminary assessment and refine watershed management approach.
  

Regular level of protection

The Quail Hill and Ashland tributaries are in this management category.

• Use of existing environmental regulations and guidelines for new development should continue to protect these areas
• Conduct baseline monitoring, to occur in 1999, to update preliminary assessment and refine watershed management approach.
  

Watershed Restoration Areas

The Kruhm Rd. and North Ednor tributaries are placed in this category, pending the outcome of baseline monitoring, due to the extensive level of sedimentation occurring which has resulted in fair conditions in both biological conditions and stream habitat.

• Conduct baseline monitoring, to occur in 1999.
  

Maps
Land Cover	Impervious Area	Stream Condition	Management Categories

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