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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 areas in the years following the Civil War. Evidence of this, including large excavations, spoil piles, and U-shaped excavated channels where forests are regenerating, can still be found in some areas of the stream valleys.
The Rock Run watershed contains a mix of older residential areas interspersed with newer planned communities. Habitat conditions in the streams are generally good because of 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.
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1998 Conditions
| Subwatershed: Stream Condition |
Habitat Condition |
Primary Factors Affecting Stream Condition |
Unique Characteristics and Management Designation |
| Upper Rock Run - POOR |
GOOD Overall |
Despite good habitat, biological community is poor. High nutrient loads might 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 a 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 |
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Rock Run Watershed Management Category
The Potomac Subregion Master Plan Study, now under way, will include an examination of land use and stream condition relationships. Watershed management approaches will be updated in the Countywide Stream Protection Strategy as necessary to respond to land use recommendations.
Watershed Restoration Area: All of Rock Run is 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 the high-density development located in the Potomac Village area at the intersection of River and Falls Roads 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 might be needed.
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.
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Restoration Projects
Will be updated.
Watershed Studies
Will be updated.
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