A watershed is an area of land that drains into a particular body of water (a stream, a river, a lake, a bay, or a wetland). Watersheds can be as small as a backyard to as large as the entire Chesapeake Bay that stretches over 64,000 miles and six states. You can learn more about the Chesapeake Bay Watershed from the Chesapeake Bay Program , a regional alliance that has directed the restoration of the Bay since 1983. You can also learn more about wetlands from Environmental Concern, a not-for-profit organization that serves to educate the general public about wetlands. Watersheds are part of the water cycle. Precipitation falls onto land, which fills streams, creeks and rivers. Some water soaks through soil, which acts as a filter and removes pollutants and contaminants from the atmosphere, roads, lawns and other surfaces. This cleaned water becomes part of the groundwater supply. A Riparian Buffer is the land along a stream or river comprised of native grasses, trees and shrubs. These buffer areas are critical to water quality in an area because they slow and filter storm water before it enters a creek or river. Frederick County Parks & Recreation supervised the replanting of this area in 2007 and again in 2008, after 500 seedlings did not survive the 2007 drought. Plants chosen for this area needed to be specifically adapted to survive in wet soil conditions. Trees such as Sycamore, Swamp White Oak and River Birches. as well as shrubbery such as Elderberry, Winterberry Holly and Black Chokeberry, have all flourished in these conditions.
Wetlands may be dry for up to 97% of the year. This particular area is considered a non-tidal wetland. Non-tidal wetlands can be categorized into different hydroperiods (the season pattern of water level). (1) Permanent Wetlands are flooded throughout the year in all years. (2) Intermittent Wetlands are flooded throughout the year, except in times of extreme drought. (3) Seasonal Wetlands are flooded only in the growing season of the year. (4) Saturated Wetlands are flooded for extended periods in the growing season, but standing water is rarely present. Lastly, (5) Temporary Wetlands are flooded only for brief periods during the growing season, and are otherwise dry, because the water table is much lower than the surface.
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1. Explain why impervious surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, make it possible for contaminants to make their way into creeks, rivers and streams.
2. Please identify the path (6 stages) the water from Libertytown’s tributaries takes to reach the Chesapeake Bay.
3. Name the landform that divides one watershed from another.
4. Using the types and descriptions of wetlands described above, identify which type you believe this area to be, and your reasoning.