How We Fix Rivers

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The Federation has installed over 90 projects since its founding in 2001 to filter the stormwater pouring off intensely suburbanized land. They range from multi-million dollar stream restoration projects, living shorelines, wetland creation, stormwater bioretention, and rain gardens.

We monitor the health of the South, West, and Rhode Rivers at 45 stations to target our restoration efforts, putting 80% of our resources into our most polluted creeks. Help us restore our local rivers, and we can share this model to save hundreds of other rivers along the Atlantic seaboard.

With Advocacy

The South, West, and Rhode Riverkeeper patrols our rivers to look for sources of pollution, critical area violations, and other illegal activity, which can harm our environment. We also occasionally take to the sky to observe our rivers from small planes and drones.

Advocacy &
Enforcement


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Meet Our
River Keeper


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Through Restoration

We actively construct projects that work to trap and filter pollutants before they reach the South, West, and Rhode Rivers.

Streams & Wetlands

living shorelines

rain gardens / reforestation

oysters

  • Broad Creek Valley West Stream Restoration

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  • Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds Reforestation

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  • Franklin Point State Park Living Shoreline

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    Tracking River Health

    Arundel Rivers Federation’s monitoring program provides a comprehensive assessment of water quality conditions across the South, West, and Rhode Rivers and their freshwater tributaries in order to identify potential restoration sites and evaluate current sites. We collect an integrated set of water quality parameters, including physical/chemical properties, nutrient and sediment inputs, plankton and algae concentrations, and habitat conditions that provide an assessment of water quality conditions.

    This monitoring includes control, pre-restoration, and post-restoration sites to characterize existing water quality conditions, examine nutrient and sediment reduction, and assess changes in trends in response to habitat enhancement. Data from the Scientific Monitoring program is analyzed, summarized, and interpreted in peer-reviewed publications and the annual river report cards.

    By Community Services

    Our Pumpout Boat can be seen on the rivers on weekends in May through October. This 22-foot C-Hawk boat was purchased with a grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, which continues to fund the operating costs of the pumpout program.

    During the summer, we monitor bacteria levels at various community waterfront and restoration areas. We provide timely public health information to participating communities and help to identify times when it may be inadvisable to swim. Knowledge is key in our fight for healthier, clean waters.

    Pump Out
    Boat


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    Bacteria
    Testing


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    Get Involved

    The Federation is effective because of the people who live,
    work and play on the South, West, and Rhode Rivers.

    VOLUNTEER