Third annual Patapsco Report Card out now

Patapsco Heritage Greenway (PHG) has released its third annual Report Card in partnership with the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative (CMC) and UMCES IAN. PHG started its water quality monitoring program in 2021 and now monitors 11 locations along the river. The Patapsco River earned a C+ this year, and conductivity continues to score poorly, likely due to years of excessive and inefficient winter salting practices. PHG offers Smart Salter workshops to combat this, where volunteers can learn how to monitor chloride using a Salt Watch kit and how to use salt and alternatives more efficiently on surfaces during winter. Check out the report card and learn more at https://www.patapsco.org/water-quality-monitoring/.

This report card also spotlights the Daniels Dam Feasibility Study. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is considering whether or not to remove the dam. Removal of other dams along the Patapsco has improved ecosystem health and restored access to natural habitats. To learn more and contribute your thoughts, visit https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/daniels-dam-feasibility-study.aspx.