Make a Contribution on November 28!
As the holiday season brings a sense of gratitude for all our blessings, please remember the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation in your giving plans!
2023’s Project Success and 2024’s Plans For More
This year has been both a busy and successful one for the Foundation. Please note that all of these projects supported goals of the Deep Creek Watershed Management Plan:
1. Once again we purchased foul weather gear for the young men and women who are Boat Launch Stewards at the State Park Boat Launch Ramp for this DNR Program. We plan to do this again in 2024.
2. We purchased a significant quantity of Calcium Chloride for the Maryland Department of the Environment operated Mechanical Doser on Cherry Creek that effectively neutralizes Acid Mine Drainage running into the creek from abandoned coal mines. We will purchase additional Calcium Chloride, if needed, in 2024.
3. We purchased 50 more Rain Barrels and distributed them to Garrett County Residents as a means to better manage Stormwater and use the water when and where it is needed. We already have a waiting list of over 40 folks so plan to do this again in 2024.
4. Last year we completed a baseline study of the water quality of 29 tributaries to Deep Creek Lake. This year, after analysis of last year’s results, we did a deeper look/analysis of 14 of the 29 tributaries where there appeared to be anomalies indicative of water quality impairments. Our next steps will be to coordinate with the Health Department and County to see if there are Water Quality matters we need to address in 2024.
5. During a portion of last year and all of this year, we supported the Deep Creek Property Owners’ Association, Inc. (POA) and County Government in their efforts to persuade Brookfield Renewable Power to lower lake levels close to the Lower Rule Band this Winter to assist in the Arrowhead Cove Dredging Project as well as assist in retarding growth of Sub-Aquatic Vegetation and drive sediment to deeper portions of the lake. We have supported draft legislation that will establish a three to five-year study to determine the effectiveness of consistently lowering the lake levels in Winter to manage SAV and sediment.
6. Probably our largest single effort from a cost perspective this year, was the installation of a Flow Gage above the Deep Creek Dam in the Youghiogheny River. The data from this gage will be combined with data from Precipitation Gages previously installed in DCL by DNR, USGS, and DCWF, as well as an existing Flow Gage below the Dam in the River and made available to a selected engineering firm to construct a Model that will estimate the DCL Groundwater Recharge Rate. This model will effectively serve as a management tool that will enhance the predictability of available water in DCL by using the estimated groundwater recharge rate as part of the calculation of water entering DCL which has never been done before. We need donations to cover annual maintenance expenses for the gages going forward as well as the costs in 2024 for the engineering work to develop the model estimated to be well in excess of $20,000.
Note: Other gages installed by the DCWF that will be used in this creation of a Groundwater Recharge Model include two Precipitation Gages as well as A Water Level Gage that provides real time lake level data and can be accessed on our website. In addition, we installed a Water Temperature Gage often used by recreational fishermen which is also accessed via our website.
7. Over the years of our existence, we have often received donations in memory of loved ones who supported DCL and the work of the DCWF. We have restricted those donations so we could eventually apply them to a “special project” appropriate for the reason the donations were made. We have begun discussions with Garrett County Government representatives to determine if, together, we could obtain land and create a public park as an appropriate use of these donations. We will continue our efforts on this project in 2024.
8. We will continue our work in earnest for the 10 in 10 Project in 2024 to develop the “Demo Area” near the State Park Boat Launch Ramp that will display plants, bushes, and other native species that can be used to vegetate areas of the lake shoreline that have been denuded over time. We actually have already ordered plantings for next year in conjunction with DNR and these will be grown over the Winter for use in the Spring of 2024.
9. We have also supported the Policy Review Board in its’ efforts to work with DNR to improve their water vessel regulations prohibiting the introduction of Aquatic Invasive Species into DCL. Collectively, we have better defined what a “clean vessel” is and increased the fine for those who would willfully and knowingly introduce a vessel with invasive species on it into DCL.
This year we spent over $100,000 on the projects mentioned above. As you can see by the highlighting, we have much planned already for 2024.
Will you help us reach the same level of funding for projects next year? Working together, we can do it and more! Your help on this Giving Tuesday is critical to our continued success in Preserving and Protecting the Deep Creek Watershed and Deep Creek Lake! Please donate as you are able!
