Waterworks Park

The purpose of this project is to stabilize and restore approximately 1,400 linear feet of stream that has been flowing – and eroding – throughout the park, as well as adding over an acre of riparian (around the streambanks) wetlands. The project site at Waterworks Park (on property owned and managed by the City of Annapolis) begins at an outfall near the Housley Road Trailhead of Annapolis Waterworks Park Trail and lies within the Broad Creek tributary of the South River. Restoring this tributary along the Annapolis Waterworks Trail to a more natural habitat and improved hydrological function will protect Broad Creek, the South River, and the public park, as well as enhance its natural value for all park visitors.

 

This project will ensure the popular trails within Waterworks Park are protected for years to come. Without intervention, the stream will continue eroding and toppling mature trees, posing safety hazards to visitors and impairing the health of the waterway. Currently, loads of sediment are flowing downstream to a popular fishing pond within the park which diminishes the experiences of aquatic wildlife as well as visiting anglers. 

 

What's the goal? 

The goals of this project are to improve habitat diversity and water quality. This project will ultimately slow the velocity of stormwater as it flows through the stream, preventing the water from further carving its way through the channel and continuing to erode the banks. When water is slowed, it has a higher probability of soaking into the ground to restore groundwater and filter out pollutants before it continues its path into our creeks and bay. This project will reconnect the floodplain towards the bottom of the site which will further reduce energy by spreading out stormflows, increase the amount of habitat on land as well as in the water, and decrease the pollutants entering the South River from this site. We look forward to a Waterworks Park full of chirping birds, splashing frogs, and happy visitors enjoying trails and catching many fish! 

 

What can I expect?

Nothing yet! The project is still in the design phase and the remainder of 2025 will be focused on design, development, and permitting. Arundel Rivers will eventually seek funding for the implementation of the project, and as we do, we will keep this page updated. Throughout the design and implementation, the trails will not be impacted. Restoration work will be contained within the stream channel itself. There may be some impacts to sidewalk use at the Housley Road trailhead during active construction, but that will be minimized as much as possible. Construction has not been scheduled yet and will not occur in 2025.

 

What about the trees? 

As with all our restoration projects, we work with our engineers, construction crews, and partners to minimize tree impact as much as possible. Our goal is always to leave as much of the tree canopy intact and undisturbed as possible. Rest assured that when construction is completed, the site will be planted heavily with a wide range of native plants to increase biodiversity and habitat throughout the site. Without our intervention, more mature trees will fall into the stream channel as erosion worsens.​

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Click to view the concept plans.​

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Want to learn more about Arundel Rivers Federation's work? Check out our 2024 River Report Card. 

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Here is the Report for the Broad Creek subwatershed, where this project flows into. 

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