The Chesapeake Biological Laboratory has assessed the water quality in the Mill Creek Watershed for the past 28 years. The Calvert Board of County Commissioners wanted an assessment to insure future development would not cause a decline in water quality, due to the rapid growth of marinas and homes. In 2009 the study was expanded to include the three creeks that drain into the Lower Patuxent River and in 2010 another six creeks were included. Three additional creeks on the bay side and Hungerford Creek were added in 2011. In 2013 Parkers Creek was included and all the creeks were sampled. The water quality has been in a slow decline, with variables such as rainfall and river flow.
The Chesapeake Biological Laboratory will monitor Mill Creek from mid-May to mid-September and the other eleven creeks in June, July and August. They will also sample water quality in June, July and August, in Hellen’s Creek, St. Leonard Creek, Island Creek, Hungerford Creek, Battle Creek, Hunting Creek, Hall Creek, Flag Harbor, Plum Point Creek and Fishing Creek. At all forty stations, including the 10 in Mill Creek, surface and bottom water temperatures, salinity, dissolved oxygen and water clarity will be measured. Water samples will be collected, filtered and analyzed for total and active chlorophyll-a concentrations.
There will be a total of 8 sampling cruises on a bi-weekly basis from the end of May to mid-September for the Mill Creek work. All others will be monitored once a month during June, July and August.
The amount requested in the budget is $30,515 which is $254 more than last year. Previous contracts with the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory have been the sole source, though they do not charge for boat time or overhead that is estimated to be $14,536, a 32% savings. This was approved by the commissioners with a 5-0 vote.
Margit Miller / Calvert Beacon