SCA Survey --Major Problems identified in Sligo Creek--

Sligo Creek watershed -Downstream 1
We encourage citizens to visit the sites in person in order to see the damage firsthand. Because the stream changes constantly, it may have features differing from pictures shown on this website. Mouse over the numbers in the map below, then click it to enlarge the picture.

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114123FB (Fish Barrier) (N38°58.406', W76°59.052')

site#	Date	Blockage	Type	Reason	Drop(In)	Depth(In)
114123	4/28/2004	total	road crossing	too high & too shallow	12	0.5

This stream is extremely shallow and barriers are too high for fish to go upstream.

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114110UC (Unusual Condition) (N38°58.404', W76°59.007')

site #	Date	Description	Potential Cause
114110	4/22/2004	Algae bloom	eutrophication

Algae blooming at the mouth of Takoma Park Tributary indicated excessive nutrient inputs. This particular occurence is common during spring.

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114124ES (Erosion Site) (N38°58.374', W76°59.174')

site #	Date	Type	Possible Cause	Length(ft)	Height(ft)
114124	4/28/2004	widening	land use change upstream	80	10

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114127ES (Erosion Site) (N38°58.358', W76°59.225')

site #	Date	Type	Possible Cause	Length(ft)	Height(ft)
114127	4/28/2004	widening	land use change upstream	280	11

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114129EP (Exposed Pipe, Fish Barrier) (N38°58.330', W76°59.307')

site#	Date	Location of Pipe	Type	Diameter (in)	Length (ft)	Purpose	Potential Leak from the Pipe	Color	Odor
114129	4/28/2004	Exposed across bottom of stream	concrete	42	100	sewage	no	--	sewage

*Two pictures for this site. A large exposed sewer pipe has a hole in it, allowing streatm water to enter. The hole was repaired by WSSC upon emergency notification. This site is also classified as a fish barrier. (Click here for an update from WSSC)

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114131EP (Exposed Pipe) (N38°58.311', W76°59.367')

site#	Date	Location of Pipe	Type	Diameter (in)	Length (ft)	Purpose	Potential Leak from the Pipe
114131	4/28/2004	above stream	smooth metal	15	40	Sewer	no

Sewer pipe is exposed and elevated from bank to bank. (Click here for an update from WSSC)

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115101 (Exposed Pipe, Fish Barrier) (N38°58.265', W76°59.469')

Fish Barrier

site#	Date	Blockage	Type	Reason	Drop(In)	Depth(In)
115101	4/28/2004	total	pipe crossing	too high	48	--

Exposed Pipe

site#	Date	Location of Pipe	Type	Diameter (in)	Length (ft)	Purpose	Potential Leak from the Pipe
115102 (Different #, but the same site)	4/28/2004	Exposed across bottom of stream	concrete	22	150	sewage	no

A large diamter sewer pipe is exposed. A portion of it is highly exposed (see second picture). This pipe is also a fish barrier. According to WSSC, the pipe was dyed and no coloration was subsequently detected in the stream. This sewer stretch had been lined, thus increasing its structural integrity. However, the pipe is still exposed and vulnerable to damage from debris. (Click here for an update from WSSC)

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115104ES (Erosion Site) (N38°58.210', W76°59.534')

site #	Date	Type	Possible Cause	Length(ft)	Height(ft)
115104	4/28/2004	widening	land use change upstream	200	10

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115107CA (Channel Alteration) (N38°58.190', W76°59.677')

site #	Date	Type	Bottom Width(in)	Length(ft)	Perennial Flow	Sedimentation	Veg in Channel	Road Crossing
115107	5/12/2004	concrete	156	1320	yes	no	no	no

 

A long stretch of this stream is channelized. This area is also inadequate as a riparian buffer.

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113102 (Exposed Pipe, Fish Barrier) (N38°58.318', W76°58.933')

Fish Barrier

site#	Date	Blockage	Type	Reason	Drop(In)	Depth(In)
113102	4/22/2004	total	pipe crossing	too high	30	--

Exposed Pipe

site#	Date	Location of Pipe	Type	Diameter(in)	Length(ft)	Purpose	Potential Leak from the Pipe
113103 for the pipe, 113104 for the stack (Different #, but the same site)	4/22/2004	Exposed across bottom of stream	concrete	24	50	sewage	no

A large sewer pipe is exposed. This is also a barrier to fish passage. The manhole stack had holes in it; however, it was repaired by WSSC upon emergency notification.

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113118 (Channel Alteration, Fish Barrier) (N38°58.218', W76°58.801')

Channel Alteration

site #	Date	Type	Bottom Width(in)	Length(ft)	Perennial Flow	Sedimentation	Veg in Channel	Road Crossing
113118	4/21/2004	concrete	480	160	yes	no	no	below

Fish Barrier

site#	Date	Blockage	Type	Reason	Drop(In)	Depth(In)
113119 (different #, but the same place	4/21/2004	total	road crossing	too shallow	--	1

 

This section is too shallow for adult fish to travel upstream to spawn.

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Excerpt from Email from WSSC (rehabilitation work on Takoma Branch)

WSSC is currently doing emergency rehabilitation on Takoma Branch.  We are lining three 18 inch stretches and one 8 inch stretch, repairing one manhole and stabilizing the stream in the vicinity of our infrastructure.  We are fixing several other problems identified in Masaya's SCA at the same time the stream crossing is being lined.  The cost of the project is about $290,000.   

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Copyright © 1998-2004 Anacostia Watershed Society

Special thanks to Emil King of the Anacostia Watershed Society and to Evelyn Foley, a resident in Sligo Creek watershed, for their help in editing this page.