Restoration
What Is The Corsica River Watershed
The simple definition of a watershed
It's the area of land that catches rain and snow and drains or seeps into a marsh, stream, river, lake or groundwater. A watershed is like a bathtub. The watershed outlet - the mouth of a river- is the tub's drain. The watershed boundary is the tub's rim. The watershed's drainage system consists of a network of rivers, streams, constructed channels, stormdrains, wetlands, and the underlying groundwater.
You're standing in a watershed now
Homes, farms, ranches, forests, small towns, big cities and more can make up
watersheds. Some cross county, state, and even international borders. Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. Some are millions of square miles, others are just a few acres. Just as creeks drain into rivers, watersheds are nearly always part of a larger watershed. Our watershed is part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
The Corsica River Watershed encompasses approximately 24,000 acres in central Queen Anne’s County. The watershed includes one urban center, the Town of Centreville, which encompasses approximately 1.6 sq. miles of historic homes and businesses. The primary land use in the watershed is agriculture which encompasses approximately 64% of the watershed area. The secondary land use is forestry which encompasses approximately 28% of the land use. The remaining area is characterized as developed (7%) which includes residential and commercial areas.
Why focus on a small watershed when we could focus on the Bay?
Everything that happens in and around our homes has an effect on the Bay. By focusing our efforts on the Corsica River Watershed we can find ways that make a measurable difference in the health of our streams, ground water and river. Our personal actions havea direct influence on the quality of our shared resources.
Our Watershed is Important
Our watershed is a dynamic and unique place. It is a complex web of natural resources - soil, water, air, plants and animals. Yet, everyday activities can impact these resources, ultimately impacting our well-being and economic livelihood.
Healthy watersheds are vital for a healthy environment and economy. Our watershed provides water for drinking, irrigation and industry. Many people also enjoy the river and streams for their beauty and for boating, fishing and swimming. Wildlife also needs healthy watersheds for food and shelter. What we do in the watershed has far reaching effects. These effects are what we can see, the physical effects and what we think, our attitude towards what is right and wrong.
Click here to see large map below
Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Project
CORSICARIVER
What Is The Corsica River Watershed
Corsica River Restoration Project Summary
Tree Canopy Ordinance
eMDE Newsletter Article
Get Your Feet Wet,
Join the Riverlution!
Symphony Village Stormwater Management Project
Earth Day Tree Planting
Railroad Ave. Building Stormawater Management Project
New Stormwater Projects
Symphony Village Project Update
Restoring The Bay One River at a Time
Mill Stream Park Upgrade
Wharf Area Upgrade
Wharf Area Upgrade
Working with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the University of Maryland Extension, Queen Anne’s County, the Town of Centreville identified areas in the Town of Centreville that could benefit from increased natural vegetative buffer widths as a means to reduce nutrient loadings entering the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. A total of approximately 9 acres of land, on two potential sites have been identified within the Town of Centreville for restoration under the Natural Filters Program. These areas could accommodate the planting of up to 2,670 new trees, shrubs and grasses. The first 148 trees and shrubs were planted in November 2010 at Mill Stream Park with the remainder scheduled for Spring 2011. The objective of this program is to identify stream buffer and critical area buffer areas suitable for planting with vegetation which will provide additional nutrient removal benefits.
A substantial portion of the wharf area has been opened to provide much needed public access to the river. This will help to raise citizen awareness of the river and serve as a reminder of our responsibility to restore and preserve it.
Two pocket parks have been constructed at the wharf. This included replacement of the existing bulkhead and construction of gazebos, pavilions and asphalt parking. Pervious pavers were used and careful attention was given to stormwater management, and critical area mitigation and landscaping. Construction of five finger piers with mooring piles for ten slips, two observation platforms with access for transient boaters, and a boardwalk was also initiated. Construction will feature living shoreline, wetland restoration, critical area mitigation and landscaping and will continue in 2011.
Mill Stream Park Upgrade
