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

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.

• 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

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