Maryland Gunpowder River Turns Orange with Muddy Runoff from Large Housing Construction Site

The Maryland Gunpowder River's once-clear waters suddenly turned orange due to a neighboring major housing project that resulted in muddy runoff, endangering wildlife.

Maryland Gunpowder River and Wildlife

Muddy runoff from the Ridgely's Reserve housing development in Maryland is choking the Gunpowder River, harming its once-thriving underwater ecosystem.

This Chesapeake Bay watershed area used to boast lush submerged grasses, teeming with diverse aquatic life.

Now, these submerged grasses have vanished, and the water has turned murky orange.

The culprit appears to be runoff from the 2022 clearing of over 100 acres at the development site, causing soil erosion into the river during snowmelt and rain, posing a severe threat to local fish and aquatic animals.

Murky Orange Muddy Runoff

Excessive sediment runoff poses a grave threat to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, clouding the water with fine particles of sand, silt, and clay, blocking sunlight, and leading to the demise of underwater grasses.

This sediment can also smother fish eggs and benthic organisms.

The pollution is so severe that it's visible from space, as noted by Evan Isaacson, research director at the Chesapeake Legal Alliance.

Regrettably, such large-scale pollution incidents are alarmingly common throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Globally, rivers face a range of pollution challenges; this summer, chemical pollution, originating from household detergents in São Paulo's sewer system, transformed Brazil's Tietê River into a foamy, malodorous disaster, causing harm to birds, fish, vegetation, and human health.

Furthermore, scientists warned that the presence of microplastics in waterways can exacerbate sediment erosion, triggering cascading negative impacts on aquatic life.

Erosion and Sedimentation Control Regulations

In Maryland, construction regulations mandate the use of fabric "silt fences" and detention ponds on development sites to control muddy runoff, along with straw covering for exposed soil and grass seeding on bare sites to prevent erosion.

The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) can impose fines of up to $100,000 per violation for non-compliance.

However, Harford County, where Ridgely's Reserve is situated, takes the lead in addressing violations, temporarily halting construction and imposing $10,000 fines, actions that have left many dissatisfied.

County Executive Bob Cassilly expressed his displeasure with the developer, suggesting that the fines might not be sufficient to ensure compliance.

Resident Bill Temmink, who has reported numerous violations, believes that the ultimate responsibility falls to the state.

Mike Horsmon noted that despite frequent inspections, recurring issues persist.

Environmental groups have advocated for change, prompting the state legislature to pressure MDE to hire more inspectors and permit writers.

Harford County Council Member Dion Guthrie proposed local restrictions limiting clearing to 20 acres at a time to minimize impact.

While the problem remains unsolved, residents are encouraged that their complaints are finally receiving attention at the county level, marking a positive step forward.