Stormwater Management: Protecting Ecology and Public Safety

FREDERICK, Md. - Frederick County has successfully completed the Point of Rocks Stream Restoration and Pond Decommissioning Project, which enhances environmental resilience, community access, and public safety. A key component of the County's Capital Improvement Plan, this milestone marks a collaborative achievement involving the Division of Public Works, the Division of Parks & Recreation, and the Division of Energy & Environment.

"This project highlights Frederick County's commitment to sustainable infrastructure and environmental stewardship," said County Executive Fitzwater. "By working together across divisions and with our federal partners, we have improved public safety, enhanced natural habitats, and created new recreational opportunities that connect our community."

The project, which was completed in two phases, addressed environmental concerns and community needs by removing a hazardous dam located near the MARC train station, C&O Canal National Historical Park, and the Potomac River. The dam and an associated pond had become safety risks. Hydrologic and hydraulic analysis showed the failure of the existing dam embankment could have resulted in an approximately 4-foot "wall of water" being released onto private property, vehicles, and public infrastructure downstream.

Upstream of the dam, streambank erosion and pollution were contributing to ecological decline. This area of county-owned property was formed by older stormwater management methods no longer in compliance with Maryland Department of the Environment standards. As such, severe streambank erosion was occurring, leading to loss of trees and high levels of sediment in the aging stormwater pond.

Phase I of the project, completed in 2019, restored the stream, improved floodwater storage capacity, filtered pollutants, enhanced the riparian buffer, replaced a worn-out pedestrian bridge, and removed a flood-prone building. The native trees and shrubs planted at this stage have flourished, signaling a successful ecological recovery.

Public input gathered during the ongoing project indicated that members of the community had historically used the site's earthen dam as a path to access the MARC train station. Phase II of the project removed the dam and replaced it with a pedestrian bridge and newly constructed walking trail. These updates provide safe and direct access from Gibbons Road to Bank Street and connect the neighborhood to the Point of Rocks Community Park.

All together, the project restored over 1,000 of stream channel using natural design techniques and planted over 800 native trees and shrubs. With the flow of water no longer being obstructed by a dam, the improved habitat will allow native species such as the migratory American Eel to enter the area. A video spotlight on Phase I of the project can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPa0nhdqdl0.