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Coordinates: 39°08′36″N 77°20′21″W / 39.14344°N 77.339152°W / 39.14344; -77.339152
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{{Short description|Stream in Montgomery County, Maryland}}
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[[Image:Little Seneca Lake 2008.jpg|thumb|right|240|[[Little Seneca Lake]]]]
[[File:Little Seneca Creek Montgomery County Maryland.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Little Seneca Creek, north of Schaeffer Road]]
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'''Little Seneca Creek''' is located in [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County]], [[Maryland]] roughly 18 miles (29 km) to the northwest of [[Washington, D.C.]] The [[Stream|creek]] drains portions of [[Clarksburg, Maryland|Clarksburg]], [[Germantown, Maryland|Germantown]], and [[Boyds, Maryland|Boyds]]. It rises south of [[Damascus, Maryland|Damascus]] and flows southward about 5 miles (8 km) to [[Little Seneca Lake]], a [[reservoir]] created by construction of a [[dam]] on the creek. The reservoir empties to the lower portion of the creek, which flows south about 5 miles to [[Seneca Creek (Potomac River)|Seneca Creek]], which drains to the [[Potomac River]] and the [[Chesapeake Bay]].
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[[File:Little Seneca Lake 2008.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Little Seneca Lake]]]]
'''Little Seneca Creek''' is an {{convert|14.0|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}<ref name=NHD>U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. [http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329155652/http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ |date=2012-03-29 }}, accessed August 15, 2011</ref> stream in [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County]], [[Maryland]], roughly {{convert|18|mi}} northwest of [[Washington, D.C.]]


==Geography==
A portion of the creek below the lake is a cold water stream that supports natural [[rainbow trout]] and [[brown trout]] populations.
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The [[Stream|creek]] drains portions of [[Clarksburg, Maryland|Clarksburg]], [[Germantown, Maryland|Germantown]], and [[Boyds, Maryland|Boyds]]. It rises south of [[Damascus, Maryland|Damascus]] and flows southward about {{convert|4.8|mi}} to [[Little Seneca Lake]], a [[reservoir]] created by construction of a [[dam]] on the creek. The reservoir empties to the lower portion of the creek, which flows south about {{convert|6.6|mi}} to [[Seneca Creek (Potomac River)|Seneca Creek]], which drains to the [[Potomac River]] and the [[Chesapeake Bay]].<ref name=NHD/>

A portion of the creek below the lake is a cold water stream that supports wild [[rainbow trout|rainbow]] and [[brown trout]] populations.<ref name=overview>{{cite web |url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/water/little-seneca-creek-watershed.html |title=Little Seneca Creek Subwatershed |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Department of Environmental Protection (MCDEP) |publisher=Montgomery County, Maryland |location=Rockville, MD |access-date=2016-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125045914/https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/water/little-seneca-creek-watershed.html |archive-date=2016-11-25}}</ref>

The creek and reservoir are a drinking water source as part of the Little Seneca system, an emergency [[water supply]] for the metropolitan [[Washington, D.C.]] area.<ref name=MCPlan>{{cite report |author=MCDEP |date=November 2003 |title=Ten-Year Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan; 2003-2012 |url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/Resources/Files/ReportsandPublications/Water/Water%20supply%20%26%20Waste%20water/Comphrensive-water-supply-and-sewage-systems-plan-03-to-12-chapter-3.pdf |pages=3–6}}</ref>


==Water quality issues==
==Water quality issues==
In 1994, the [[Montgomery County, Maryland#Law and government|Montgomery County Council]] anticipated population growth in the Little Seneca [[drainage basin|watershed]] and imposed some restrictions on [[housing development]] and other new [[construction]] in part of the watershed, in order to preserve [[water quality]] before development accelerated. A "Special Protection Area" was designated that requires additional controls for [[stormwater]] [[surface runoff|runoff]], beyond those required of all new projects.<ref>Montgomery County Code.
In 1994, the [[Montgomery County, Maryland#Government|Montgomery County Council]] anticipated population growth in the Little Seneca [[drainage basin|watershed]] and imposed some restrictions on [[housing development]] and other new [[construction]] in part of the watershed, in order to preserve [[water quality]] before development accelerated. A "Special Protection Area" was designated that requires additional controls for [[stormwater]] [[surface runoff|runoff]], beyond those required of all new projects.<ref name=overview/><ref>Montgomery County Code.
[http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Maryland/montgom/partiilocallawsordinancesresolutionsetc/chapter19erosionsedimentcontrolandstormw?fn=altmain-nf.htm$f=templates$3.0#LPTOC5.1 Chapter 19, Article V (Water Quality Review in Special Protection Areas)]. Section 19-60 et seq.</ref>
[http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Maryland/montgom/partiilocallawsordinancesresolutionsetc/chapter19erosionsedimentcontrolandstormw?fn=altmain-nf.htm$f=templates$3.0#LPTOC5.1 Chapter 19, Article V (Water Quality Review in Special Protection Areas)]. Section 19-60 et seq.</ref>


However, the county reported that its recent requirements for new construction projects have not been sufficient to prevent water quality impairment. Several large land development projects were constructed in Clarksburg and elsewhere in the watershed over the past several years. The county conducted [[bioindicator|biological monitoring]] of stream conditions and has documented declines in water quality associated with the new construction. More comprehensive site designs to minimize stormwater runoff, such as [[conservation design]] or [[low impact development]] designs, are recommended.<ref>Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (MCDEP), Rockville, MD. [http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/dep/downloads/2008spaannualreport.pdf ''Special Protection Area Program Annual Report 2008.''] January 2010.</ref>
However, the county reported in 2010 that its recent requirements for new construction projects had not been sufficient to prevent water quality impairment. Several large land development projects were constructed in Clarksburg and elsewhere in the watershed over the past several years. The county conducted [[bioindicator|biological monitoring]] of stream conditions and documented declines in water quality associated with the new construction. More comprehensive site designs to minimize [[stormwater runoff]], such as [[conservation design]] or [[Low-impact development (Canada/US)|low impact development]] designs, were recommended.<ref>{{cite report |author=MCDEP |date=January 2010 |title=Special Protection Area Program Annual Report 2008 |url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/Resources/Files/downloads/water-reports/spa/2008spaannualreport.pdf}}</ref>

In 2014, the County Council set additional limits on development projects in order to protect the quality of the [[Tenmile Creek (Maryland)|Tenmile Creek]] tributary and adjacent habitat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/Resources/Files/res/2014/20140401_17-1048.pdf |title=Approval of Planning Board Draft 10 Mile Creek Area Limited Amendment to the Clarksburg Master Plan and Hyattstown Special Study Area |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2014-04-01 |publisher=Montgomery County Council |location=Rockville, MD}} Resolution No. 17-1048.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Turque |first=Bill |date=2014-04-02 |title=Montgomery council brings official end to battle over Clarksburg’s Ten Mile Creek |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/montgomery-council-brings-official-end-to-battle-over-clarksburgs-ten-mile-creek/2014/04/02/dd404ef0-b9f4-11e3-96ae-f2c36d2b1245_story.html |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>


==Tributaries==
==Tributaries==
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*Germantown Estates Tributary
*Germantown Estates Tributary
*Milestone Tributary
*Milestone Tributary
*[[Tenmile Creek (Maryland)|Tenmile Creek]]
*Ten Mile Creek
*Town Center Tributary
*Town Center Tributary


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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://senecacreekwatershedpartners.wildapricot.org Seneca Creek Watershed Partners] - Volunteer stewardship organization
*[http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dectmpl.asp?url=/content/dep/water/sub_littlesenecacreek.asp "The Little Seneca Creek Watershed."] MCDEP
*[http://www.riverfacts.com/rivers/11497.html Whitewater Info for Little Seneca Creek] - Riverfacts.com
*[http://www.riverfacts.com/rivers/11497.html Whitewater Info for Little Seneca Creek] - Riverfacts.com


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{{Maryland waters}}
{{Maryland waters}}


{{coord|39.1434399|-77.3391515|region:US-MD_type:river|display=title}}
{{coord|39.14344|-77.339152|region:US-MD_type:river|display=title}}


{{authority control}}


[[Category:Chesapeake Bay Watershed]]
[[Category:Rivers of Montgomery County, Maryland]]
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[[Category:Geography of Montgomery County, Maryland]]
[[Category:Rivers of Maryland]]
[[Category:Rivers of Maryland]]
[[Category:Tributaries of the Potomac River ]]
[[Category:Tributaries of the Potomac River]]




{{Maryland-geo-stub}}
{{MontgomeryCountyMD-geo-stub}}
{{Maryland-river-stub}}

Latest revision as of 17:00, 7 August 2023

Little Seneca Creek, north of Schaeffer Road
Little Seneca Lake

Little Seneca Creek is an 14.0-mile-long (22.5 km)[1] stream in Montgomery County, Maryland, roughly 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Washington, D.C.

Geography

[edit]

The creek drains portions of Clarksburg, Germantown, and Boyds. It rises south of Damascus and flows southward about 4.8 miles (7.7 km) to Little Seneca Lake, a reservoir created by construction of a dam on the creek. The reservoir empties to the lower portion of the creek, which flows south about 6.6 miles (10.6 km) to Seneca Creek, which drains to the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.[1]

A portion of the creek below the lake is a cold water stream that supports wild rainbow and brown trout populations.[2]

The creek and reservoir are a drinking water source as part of the Little Seneca system, an emergency water supply for the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.[3]

Water quality issues

[edit]

In 1994, the Montgomery County Council anticipated population growth in the Little Seneca watershed and imposed some restrictions on housing development and other new construction in part of the watershed, in order to preserve water quality before development accelerated. A "Special Protection Area" was designated that requires additional controls for stormwater runoff, beyond those required of all new projects.[2][4]

However, the county reported in 2010 that its recent requirements for new construction projects had not been sufficient to prevent water quality impairment. Several large land development projects were constructed in Clarksburg and elsewhere in the watershed over the past several years. The county conducted biological monitoring of stream conditions and documented declines in water quality associated with the new construction. More comprehensive site designs to minimize stormwater runoff, such as conservation design or low impact development designs, were recommended.[5]

In 2014, the County Council set additional limits on development projects in order to protect the quality of the Tenmile Creek tributary and adjacent habitat.[6][7]

Tributaries

[edit]
  • Boyds Tributary
  • Brodsky Tributary
  • Bucklodge Branch
  • Cabin Branch
  • Churchill Tributary
  • Germantown Estates Tributary
  • Milestone Tributary
  • Tenmile Creek
  • Town Center Tributary

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map Archived 2012-03-29 at the Wayback Machine, accessed August 15, 2011
  2. ^ a b "Little Seneca Creek Subwatershed". Department of Environmental Protection (MCDEP). Rockville, MD: Montgomery County, Maryland. Archived from the original on 2016-11-25. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  3. ^ MCDEP (November 2003). Ten-Year Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan; 2003-2012 (PDF) (Report). pp. 3–6.
  4. ^ Montgomery County Code. Chapter 19, Article V (Water Quality Review in Special Protection Areas). Section 19-60 et seq.
  5. ^ MCDEP (January 2010). Special Protection Area Program Annual Report 2008 (PDF) (Report).
  6. ^ "Approval of Planning Board Draft 10 Mile Creek Area Limited Amendment to the Clarksburg Master Plan and Hyattstown Special Study Area" (PDF). Rockville, MD: Montgomery County Council. 2014-04-01. Resolution No. 17-1048.
  7. ^ Turque, Bill (2014-04-02). "Montgomery council brings official end to battle over Clarksburg's Ten Mile Creek". Washington Post.
[edit]

39°08′36″N 77°20′21″W / 39.14344°N 77.339152°W / 39.14344; -77.339152


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