Officials Surveying Lower Gunpowder Due To Extreme Erosion

PERRY HALL - County surveyors are surveying the Lower Gunpowder tributary at the Seven Oaks Environmental Protection Area.

Councilman David Marks says that the area was targeted for study due to the number of “extents and headcuts,” which are spots of extreme streambed erosion.

According to Marks, the steams experiencing extreme erosion are impacting the delicate network of tributaries within the Seven Oaks Environmental Protection Area.

A 2011 study of the Perry Hall watershed surveyed nearly 10.5 miles of the Gunpowder and its tributaries. The study found severe erosion along several stretches of Long Green, Cat, and Duck creeks.

Right now, the surveyors are simply assessing conditions.

A variety of factors can cause erosion. Some of the main contributors in Perry Hall are the lack of buffers between commercial and residential properties and streams and the planting of “row crops” such as corn.

Marks says that the channel on the other side of Seven Courts Drive is also being assessed, but the stream-related issues are not as severe on this eastern side.

A total of approximately 5,000 linear feet of channel is being surveyed for this effort; however, it is anticipated the length of the project will be less than that.

Marks says that he will provide more details as the project commences.