Since the early 1990’s, Maryland has been one of the most proactive States in the country in implementing programs to restore streams. These efforts have focused on restoring a stable dimension, pattern, and profile to streams and the benefits of improving surface-water and groundwater water quality have not been quantified.

In October 2001, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey, Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management, and the Institute of Ecosystem Studies initiated a multidisciplinary investigation to study the impacts of stream restoration on the hydrology of the stream, and on the riparian and stream processing of nitrogen in Minebank Run, a 3.27 square mile sub-watershed of Gunpowder Falls in Baltimore County, Maryland.

The study involves continuous measurement of streamflow and rainfall data. Water level data are being collected in 3 transects of 51 shallow groundwater wells. Streamflow and shallow groundwater are being sampled periodically for nutrients and major ions. Changes in stream dimension, pattern, and profile are being monitored by use of monumented channel cross sections, bank pins, and scour chains. Bed material has also been sampled to determine pre-restoration particle-size distributions throughout the study reach.

The stream is currently scheduled to be restored in early 2004. After the stream is restored, post-restoration data on streamflow, groundwater levels, water quality, and sediments will be collected for comparison to the pre-restoration condition.

For more information, contact Ed Doheny at ejdoheny@usgs.gov.