At a Glance
Restoring two tributaries rehabilitates aquatic habitat, protects sanitary sewer infrastructure and reduces sediment yield to a stream system in a highly urbanized watershed.
Project Description
The East Branch of Honeygo Run had become severely degraded by excessive water flow. To stabilize the channel, reduce sediment loads and improve aquatic habitat, Biohabitats was contracted by Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (DEPS). Biohabitats developed a stream restoration design that applied the principles of fluvial geomorphology, hydrology and hydraulics, and soil bioengineering. The approach involved redesigning the channel using natural channel design while preserving the many existing mature trees.
Biohabitats began by conducting an assessment that included a Rosgen Stream Classification and analyses of the hydrology, sediment transport, water quality, and ecology of the degraded stream. The restoration plan was then crafted in light of this assessment, and it incorporated natural channel design and soil bioengineering, or letting living plants stabilize the streambanks rather than soley hard-armoring techniques.
To help DEPS implement the design, Biohabitats provided a cost/benefit analysis, prepared and tracked all of the regulatory permits necessary for the project, and met with landowners and other stakeholders to seek feedback. Biohabitats prepared all of the design and construction drawings with complete specifications and an engineers’ cost estimate for the project, and once construction was underway, Biohabitats supervised the work and conducted post-construction monitoring. Today, the East Branch of Honeygo Run is a stable
and self sustaining stream complex, functioning as it
was designed.