Restored Lake Marion Brings New Life to Severn River Headwaters

Severn, MD- Community members, state and local officials, and environmental nonprofit partners gathered to celebrate the completion of the Lake Marion pond retrofit and stream rehabilitation, a nearly $3.9 million effort to restore a failing stormwater pond into a thriving natural habitat at the headwaters of the Severn River.

Arundel Rivers Federation, together with Severn River Association and the Provinces Civic Association, led the effort to transform a decades-old, sediment-filled pond with a concrete spillway into a thriving, nature-based stormwater treatment system that now filters and cleans runoff before it flows into Severn Run, the Severn River, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. 

The project was made possible through an extraordinary public-private partnership that included funding through the Anne Arundel County’s Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration, Arundel Community Development Services, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, a Maryland Legislative Bond Initiative, and contributions from local residents and community groups. Design and construction were led by BayLand Consultants and Designers and Paydirt, LLC.

“Projects like Lake Marion show what it truly takes to restore the Chesapeake Bay.” Said Matt Johnston, Executive Director of Arundel Rivers Federation. “It takes dozens of community advocates, legislators, local contractors, funders, and nonprofit organizations pulling in the same direction to replace old stormwater infrastructure with new, green infrastructure that heals our lands and protects our rivers and the Bay.”

Yesterday’s green ribbon cutting ceremony marked the official completion of the project, featuring remarks from partners and presentations of official citations from Maryland State Senator Pam Beidle, Delegate Mark Chang, and Anne Arundel County Councilman Pete Smith, recognizing the Provinces Civic Association for its leadership and tenacity in bringing this project to life.

“Thank you to the Severn River Association and the Arundel Rivers Federation for their support of the restoration of Lake Marion,” said Senator Pam Beidle. “This restoration has been needed for over 25 years; it is a much needed improvement for the headwaters of the Severn River. Thank you to Cindy Williams of the Provinces Civic Association for their support to bring this project to fruition.”

Originally constructed more than 50 years ago as a stormwater retention pond, Lake Marion had become filled with sediment and debris, reducing its depth from ten feet to barely one foot and rendering it ineffective for stormwater management. Polluted rain water once rushed through a concrete-lined channel, pouring sediment and nutrients into the Severn.

As a part of the restoration, approximately seven feet of sediment were removed from the bottom of the pond, restoring its capacity and function as a stormwater treatment system. The former concrete channel was replaced with a series of step pools designed to slow and filter stormwater runoff while creating habitat for native species. Wetland benches planted with thousands of native plants now surround the lake, providing vital habitat for birds, pollinators, and aquatic life. 

“The Severn River Association was delighted to partner with our colleagues at Arundel Rivers Federation to see this important project completed,” said Jesse Iliff, Executive Director at Severn River Association. “Restoring the headwaters of the Severn River is critical to ensuring long term improvements in water quality and aquatic habitat. This project does that. We are grateful for the sustained engagement of the Provinces community, Anne Arundel County, and the State of Maryland to secure the necessary funding for this incredible project.”

The Lake Marion project stands as a model of what it looks like when a community, local government, and nonprofit organizations work together. Lake Marion will not only contribute to a healthier Severn River; it will also serve as a beautiful community space for residents and native wildlife for generations to come.

“I am proud to have completed the renovations to Lake Marion, the Provinces stormwater pond, with the assistance of Arundel Rivers Federation,” said Cynthia Williams, President of the Provinces Civic Association. “After about 25 years of looking for funding to complete this project… We are pleased to announce the Grand Reopening of Lake Marion Park.”