Annapolis Landing Stream Restoration

Beards Creek is the 3^rd most polluted creek on the South River. This stream restoration project, completed in May, 2021 is located in the community of Annapolis Landing in Riva, MD. The project restored 1,844 linear feet of stream and will prevent 760 pounds of nitrogen, 124 pounds of phosphorus, and 9.3 tons of sediment pollution annually. It was designed by BioHabitats, constructed by Meadville Land Service.

This stream collects runoff from over 3,000 feet of paved road that is fed through three different storm drain networks. The stormwater pond that overflows into the stream restoration site drains nearly 70 acres, 39% of which is impervious (does not absorb water).

This restoration technique was based on a pilot project that the Federation did for the Bacon Ridge Branch in Crownsville a few years ago, using a method that had been effective on the West Coast of the US. The technique uses wood log jams (similar to beaver dams) to slow and spread out the water onto the flood plain, where excess nutrients will be absorbed by wetland plants. Since it doesn’t use stone, it is more cost efficient (almost 4x), has a much smaller carbon footprint, and leads to a more natural looking stream.

The Federation planted 1,100 native trees and shrubs as part of the permitting requirements and we worked with community members, some Watershed Stewards and Boy Scouts to plant an additional 400 native herbaceous wetland plants.

We want to thank the community of Annapolis Landing, which could not have been more supportive.  “If every community was as dedicated to clean water as Annapolis Landing, our rivers would be in much better health,” said Jennifer Carr, Director of Restoration.