Braddock Run Watershed Association

Contact Information

OSM/VISTA: Vacant
Supervisor: Craig Hartsock
Sponsoring Organization: Braddock Run Watershed Association
Address: P.O. Box 3404 LaVale, MD 21502
Phone: 301.777.1747 ex.108 or 102
E-Mail: craig.hartsock@md.nacdnet.net
U.S. Congressional Districts: 6th
County: Allegany

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background:

Braddock Run is located in the western part of Allegany County, Maryland. The headwaters of Braddock Run flow from the Hoffman Drainage Tunnel in Clarysville, Maryland, and it flows until it reaches Will’s Creek, a major tributary to the North Branch of the Potomac River. The Potomac River, a major tributary to the Chesapeake Bay, borders almost the entire southern side of Maryland. The watershed includes the towns of La Vale, Eckhart, Frostburg, and Clarysville. Its headwaters are largely supplied by the Hoffman Drainage Tunnel, which drains the abandoned mines located within the Pittsburgh Coal Mine workings. The Hoffman Drainage Tunnel is also fed by nine streams in the upper section of its drainage field, from Midland to Frostburg, and from the top of Savage Mountain to the top of Dan’s Mountain. Because the tunnel drains water from abandoned coal mines, Braddock Run is greatly affected by acid mine drainage (AMD). Another enormous cause of concern is development in the watershed, which has impacted the stream enough that it has become a source of flooding in nearby communities during heavy storms.

The Braddock Run Watershed Association (BRWA) was formed in 1996 as a response to the frustration of the citizens living in the watershed who had been affected by flooding in 1996 and who had concerns about the water quality of the stream. Since its establishment, the BRWA has been working hand in hand with the Allegany Soil Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service on the completion of a watershed assessment and management plan for the entire Braddock Run watershed.

Goals and Accomplishments:

The first-year OSM/VISTA, Carrie Decker, got numerous projects either completed or well underway during her term with the BRWA. She initiated stream cleanup projects in which local residents and school groups participated. Carrie received a grant and was able to have decals made and placed on storm drains throughout the watershed warning residents about polluting Braddock Run. She started a quarterly newsletter which was mailed to BRWA members and interested community residents. Carrie was also active in receiving funding for a rain garden, which was planted at Parkside Elementary School in combination with a local Boy Scout’s Eagle project. The second-year OSM/VISTA will pick up where Carrie’s term ended in continuing projects she started and helping to enable the group to be more self-sufficient.

Partners and Contributors:

• Canaan Valley Institute- advice and support from their circuit rider workshop on organization building as well as grant funds for the newsletter.
• Natural Resources Conservation Service- watershed study to identify flood mitigation measures, water quality improvement, and stream restoration priorities.
• Allegany County Department of Public Works- stream restoration projects.
• NiSource Grant- $5,000 seed money for fish blockage removal and stream restoration.
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources- Helman Drive stream restoration project.
• Maryland State Highway Administration- Helman Drive stream restoration project.
• Allegany High School- Environmental Science classes, Ecology Club and Envirothon Team members for work on various watershed projects.
• Parkside Elementary School- support on rain garden project.