Charles County Section of Lower Patuxent River Watershed Removed from Sediment Impairment List

News Release # 2026-041

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has formally approved the removal (delisting) of the Charles County portion of the non-tidal Lower Patuxent River Watershed from the State's impaired waters list for sediment.

This milestone reflects four years of environmental monitoring conducted by Charles County. Following a comprehensive technical review, MDE confirmed that these waters meet Maryland's Water Quality Standards and satisfy all delisting requirements. As a result, the watershed segment will be reclassified as Category 2 in Maryland's 2026 Integrated Report, recognizing that this portion of the watershed is in good biological condition.

"This achievement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protecting and restoring local waterways," said Charles R. Rice, AICP, Planning Director of Planning and Growth Management. "Healthy watersheds are vital to our environment, economy, and quality of life, and we are proud to see this portion of the Lower Patuxent River officially recognized for its biological quality," Rice added.

Delisting this watershed will direct restoration resources to other watersheds in the County, where sediment reduction and habitat improvement will be more beneficial. Continued monitoring efforts will ensure that the non-tidal Lower Patuxent River Watershed's water quality is maintained for years to come.

Charles County remains committed to sustaining watershed health through science-based monitoring, strategic planning, and collaborative partnerships at the state and regional levels.

For more information on Maryland's Surface Water Quality Standards please visit https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Water/TMDL/WaterQualityStandards/Pages/index.aspx

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