Potomac Conservancy - Potomac Conservancy's Priority Watersheds

Potomac Conservancy's Priority Watersheds

Targeted Watershed
We work in several targeted watersheds in the region. Please click on links below or on the map to learn more about these areas. Cacapon/Lost River Monocacy River, including Bennett Creek Potomac Gorge Shenandoah River South Branch/Bends of Springfield	Maps of the Potomac watershed are available here.

Cacapon River and Lost River

The Cacapon River watershed, located in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia�s Eastern Panhandle region is a rural, but rapidly growing area. As the fourth largest tributary to the Potomac River, the Cacapon is well loved by paddlers, anglers, and hikers alike. In the face of recent development and land fragmentation it still remains one of the state�s highest quality streams. The headwaters of this watershed begin at the Lost River, which receives water from a 178- square-mile region. The largest tributary of the Cacapon is the North River, which drains 206 sq miles. Protection of this scenic landscape, characterized by managed forests and working farms, is essential for maintaining water quality as well as the local economy and cultural legacy of families who have owned the land here for many generations.Local interest in land conservation has taken root, as the Conservancy continues working with the largest land trust in West Virginia and one of its strongest partners in conservation, the Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust. Together, the Potomac Conservancy and the Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust have protected more than 8,000 acres, reached out to dozens of landowners, and educated professionals throughout the watershed.

Recent and ongoing projects:

Cacapon Legacy Project Corridor: A vision to create a relatively undeveloped corridor between two public lands has resulted in the creation of the Cacapon Legacy Project Area by Cacapon and Lost River Land Trust. The overall purpose of the Legacy Project is to maintain a habitat corridor connecting the George Washington National Forest with the Short Mountain Wildlife Management Area. To date approximately 7000 acres have been put under perpetual conservation easement in this broad corridor. These types of projects are increasingly critical as wildlife habitat and corridors continue to be lost due to land fragmentation and rapid residential development in the region.

Cacapon Mountain Conservation Hub: Newest priority area of focus by the Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust and the Potomac Conservancy, is the Cacapon Mountain Conservation Hub, which aims to protect water quality as well as important forest and wildlife resources by linking conserved lands along the Cacapon River with the 6,000-acre Cacapon State Park. There is significant conservation interest in the region and opportunities to protect some significant landscapes are likely in the near future.

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Monocacy River, including Bennett Creek

The Monocacy River and watershed drains an area that includes parts of Pennsylvania and three counties in Maryland. The watershed covers all of Frederick County, Maryland, an area rich in agricultural and Civil War history.The Monocacy flows through mainly agricultural areas, with fast growing communities springing up throughout the watershed, especially along the I-270 corridor northwest of Washington, DC. About 60% of the watershed is in ag, while roughly 40% is forested, mainly in the Catoctin Mountains. The river itself is a lazy sort of affair that has been designated a Maryland Wild & Scenic River. Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest point in the southern part of the county sits in the Bennett Creek subwatershed, where the Conservancy has been focusing much of its efforts the past few years. This rapidly growing watershed is still framed by rolling farmland and wooded hillsides, but growth from DC is quickly turning farm field and forest into parking lot and roadway. Bennett Creek is the Conservancy's current focus area in the larger Monocacy watershed (see map). The watershed is the largest contributor of sediment to the Potomac River and as such, much work needs to be done to increase forest buffers along the many miles of ag streams that are currently not cloaked in forest.Not unlike other watersheds, the Monocacy is sorely lacking in "riparian" or forest buffers along it streams, and in some cases, livestock are allowed easy access into streams. This causes erosion of the streambanks (causing sediments to fall into the river) and also increases fecal coliform levels, making stretches of the river unsafe for prolonged human contact.

Recent and Ongoing Projects:

Director of Restoration, Bryan Seipp heads up our team in the Monocacy watershed and is fortunate to work with a multitude of partner organizations and government bodies. Bryan is joined by Conservation Program Associate Heather Montgomery and Growing Native Project Director, Colleen Langan who also work throughout the watershed.Our projects include:

buffer planting and fencing along stream segments in the Bennett Creek watershed
raingarden design and construction throughout the watershed that help capture stormwater from impervious surfaces like roads and parking lots
road re-alignment and culvert removal to allow for improved stream morphology and to increase available brook trout habitat near Sugarloaf Mountain
Growing Native seed collection and Grow-Out stations at selected sites, including schools, throughout the watershed, including Pennsylvania. More.
Frederick County School Tree Canopy Enhancement. The Conservancy is designing and implementing a plan to increase the tree canopy at all school sites in the district. The goal of the project is to have a tree canopy goal incorporated into official FCPS policy. More...

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Potomac Gorge

The Potomac Gorge lies at the "fall line" where the east coast meets the ridges that lead to the mighty Appalachians. It is here, that numerous rare and globally significant plant and animal species can be found.Yes, within and just over the roar of the Beltway, along Cabin John Parkway, MacArthur Boulevard or Crest Lane and Georgetown Pike, can be found an incredibly diverse and remarkably wild landscape that is just waiting to be explored. Whether it is bass or shad gliding past your boat, or the shriek of the fastest animal in the world, the Peregrine Falcon, streaming overhead, the Potomac Gorge is much more than Great Falls and class V rapids. It is hiking, birding, boating, home, classroom, and most of all, it is something that belongs to everyone.

Recent and ongoing projects:

Tree Buffer: We continue to remain vigilant against those who view the trees along the river in the Gorge as nothing more than a hindrance to a better view. Thanks to your great support we are able to respond to a never-ending threat to the scenic beauty that is the Gorge. Among the approaches have been taking to help preserve the Gorge for future generations, we have secured several conservation easements on riverfront properties that will forever protect the forests and the trees that make a hike or paddle on the river such a special experience.

Islands: The Conservancy owns several islands on the Potomac in the area, and all are open to the public. Please leave no trace. These are refuges from the roar of the city and we�d like to keep them that way. Management of our islands includes invasives removal and keeping up the trail and camping network we have set up. Please contact us for more information. More...

C&O Canal: Additionally, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park, locally known as the C&O or "the Canal" follows the length of the river in the Gorge and provides great access to hiking and boat put-ins. continue to work with the National Park Service to improve the services and preservation of the recreational and natural history elements that make this, "our backyard National Park", such a great asset. Towards this end, through our policy initiatives, we support increased funding for this Park (it receives thirty cents for every dollar it needs) and highlight threats to the scenic and biological integrity of the Park. More...

River Center at Lockhouse 8:The RiverCenter is a great weekend visit along the Canal and in the Gorge. Step in during the spring or summer and learn about the Canal and the Potomac Watershed. More...

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Shenandoah Valley, including Cedar and Passage Creeks

The Shenandoah, and amongst the most scenic of the Potomac Rivers tributaries, it is also one of the most degraded. As the Potomac's largest tributary and an important source of drinking water, the Shenandoah's health is critical to both local and downstream residents in the Washington, DC, region. Home to a rich history, the Shenandoah Valley was a corridor for pioneer movement, a thriving agricultural area, and host to a number of significant Civil War battles. This heritage, in addition to excellent boating and fishing opportunities, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

Less than 30% of riparian forests remain intact and the river is classified as a Category I Priority Watershed. Although conservation endeavors within this landscape are increasing, there remains a tremendous need for the greater coordination of these efforts. Potomac Conservancy's primary goal is to increase private participation in permanent land protection in critical Shenandoah watersheds by expanding public knowledge, understanding, acceptance, and adoption of conservation alternatives. The tight-knit agricultural community of the Shenandoah is just beginning to take advantage of opportunities for financial benefits in exchange for restoration of riparian forest. Involvement in incentive programs that pay farmers to establish forests along rivers and streams has dramatically risen, particularly with the inception of the Potomac Watershed Partnership, a public-private effort, managed by the Conservancy, that is dedicated to forest health and quality of life. Landowner interest in restoration and permanent protection has already outstripped the human resources available to provide technical assistance and additional outreach. Within the Shenandoah Valley region the Conservancy has identified two priority watersheds, Cedar Creek and Passage Creek, with which to focus its restoration and permanent land protection efforts.

Cedar Creek runs more than 36 miles from its headwaters in the George Washington National Forest to its confluence with the North Fork of the Shenandoah River near Strasburg. Cedar Creek's watershed is one of the largest and most heavily forested areas of the northern Shenandoah Valley. 51% of the Upper Cedar Creek watershed and 31% of the Lower Cedar Creek watershed is forested. Click here for our Cedar Creek report.
Passage Creek is completely surrounded by USFS land and flows through a geographically isolated high elevation valley call the Fort Valley, before joining up with the N. Fork of the Shenandoah River. Passage Creek drains a very beautiful and narrow gorge between two spine-like Massannutten Mountains in Virginia. It is listed as a VA "Heritage Trout Stream" and is a popular whitewater location as well. In 2007, the Potomac Conservancy is coordinateda comprehensive ecological assessment of the Passage Creek watershed to gain a better understanding of the watershed's biodiversity and the threats the area may face in the future. Click here for our Passage Creek report.

These subwatersheds were selected based on their important ecological and cultural resources as well as the diversity of land use that are represented within them. We are working hard within both Cedar Creek and Passage Creek to identify important resources for preservation as well as identify areas in need of restoration to maintain the high biological diversity and water quality of these streams.

Recent and ongoing projects:

Presence in the Valley: Through our Shenandoah Resource Center, in Winchester, Virginia, the Conservancy has reached out to hundreds of farmers, foresters, and suburban landowners to encourage conservation of the Potomac River's fragile headwaters. We engage thousands of volunteers annually in hands-on activities such as tree plantings, trash clean-ups, invasive species removal, and our Growing Native tree seed collection.

Cedar Creek Biological Assessment: Potomac Conservancy initiated an ecological study of the Cedar Creek watershed in partnership with Shenandoah University and other partners. The intent was to gain a snapshot of the existing conditions regarding water quality, aquatic life, and plants in the watershed. Click here for our report, Cedar Creek Revealed.

Passage Creek Ecological Assessment: The Conservancy, and researchers from Virginia Tech's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife launched a comprehensive ecological assessment of this waterway in 2007. Our report is available here.

Landowner Outreach: We have plans to speak with landowners in the Cedar Creek watershed about restoration and protection options specific to their property, including rain barrel installations. The Conservancy is a member of the Shenandoah River Fish Kill Task Force, which working with scientists and environmentalists and other concerned citizens to determine the cause of recent episodic fish kills in the North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River.

Most Endangered River nomination: In recognition of the severity of these threats, Potomac Conservancy successfully nominated the Shenandoah River to American Rivers' national top ten Most Endangered Rivers list in 2006.

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South Branch/The Bends of Springfield

Just north of Romney at the cross roads of Wapocomo, the South Branch of the Potomac embarks on a windy path to the confluence with the North Branch of the Potomac. This rural area is characterized by its scenic views, working farm and forest landscapes and ample recreational opportunities. Here, Potomac Conservancy in collaboration with local partners such as the Hampshire County Farmland Protection Board, are breaking new ground in landowner outreach and education, to facilitate restoration and permanent protection of these remarkable riverside lands.By working with individual landowners, we are able offer tailored conservation solutions for the working farm or forest. Then, by agreeing to a voluntary agreement with the Conservancy, landowners can be assured that their favorite hunting location or beloved farm will forever remain protected.

Recent and ongoing projects:

Interest in protecting working farms forests and riparian lands is high near the crossroads known as Millesons Mill. In 2007, the Conservancy closed its first easement on an 80-acre track of forestland in this priority area Through voluntary agreements, we are on track to protect an additional 350 acres and 2 miles of riparian lands by the end of 2007.

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