Gaithersburg Undertakes Muddy Branch Watershed Study

The city of Gaithersburg has contracted with URS Corporation to complete a study on the condition of the city’s streams and stormwater management facilities within the Muddy Branch Watershed and compare the results with the 2001-2002 stream assessment completed by Versar.

Over the next year, URS Corporation will be studying several segments of the streams and numerous stormwater management facilities within approximately five square miles of the Muddy Branch Watershed within City limits. Examples of tasks URS Corporation will be performing include:

• Stream measurements and water sampling;
• Evaluation of pollution sources from commercial properties and residential neighborhoods;
• Identification and location of stormwater facilities and discharge points; and
• Identification of areas for future stormwater management and stream restoration projects.

URS Corporation will send trained staff to collect samples, analyze stream characteristics and take photos on public and private land. No tree clearing or construction activity will occur as part of this study. After the samples have been analyzed by URS Corporation, the assessment will be available on the city’s website or by request. Results are anticipated by winter 2014.

For questions about the stream assessment or other environmental initiatives, please contact Environmental Planner Dyan Backe at dbacke@gaithersburgmd.gov or call 301.258.6330. For all other questions related to this project, please contact Civil Engineer Becky Uebele at buebele@gaithersburgmd.gov or call 301.258.6370.

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