Anacostia Watershed Society Homepage

SCA Survey
--Major Problems identified in Northwest Branch--

Northwest Branch watershed - 5
We encourage citizens to visit the sites in person in order to see the damage firsthand. Because the stream changes constantly, it may have features differing from pictures shown on this website. Mouse over the numbers in the map below, then click it to enlarge the picture.

211109 (Unusual Condition) (N38.99075, W76.9728)
This water was coming from a stormwater pipe outfall or piped tributary. The upstream portion of this small tributary to NW Branch was piped. Because it is piped, I could not track down the source. Almost no fish or aquatic animal can live in this water. We have to stop these inputs from its source.

Picture taken looking downstream

Picture taken looking upstream

211113 (Unusual Condition) (N38.9923167, W76.9718)

This is evidence of sewage overflow. This case had already been reported to WSSC. WSSC crews are working hard to figure out the cause. If you want to express your concern to WSSC, please do not blame WSSC individuals but blame WSSC as an organization. WSSC individuals work with us very well though we need to share our concerns closer than now. It is suspected that infiltration upstream causes exfiltration or overflow downstream, for example here. Again, WSSC tries to learn the exact cause.

Broad view. Paper products are the white matter

Zoom-in picture showing the paper products

Evidence of paper products coming from the sewer collection system

Zoom-in picture of the previous picture

213102 (Exposed Pipe - manhole stack) (N39.0016667, W76.97735)

Site#

Date

Location of Pipe

Type

Diameter (in)

Length (ft)

Purpose

Discharge

213102

4/5/2005

exposed manhole

concrete+brick

60

sewage

no

Crumbling manhole stack. I cannot help imagining infiltration from this stack at high flow events. The imagination connects to the pictures above (site #211113).

213104 (Unusual Condition) (N39.0032333, W76.9738667)

Turbid water. Can you believe that the depth of this stream is a few inches?

213113 (Unusual Condition) (N39.00085, W76.9819167)
Again, illicit discharge from a stormwater pipe outfall. However, it disappeared when I checked this site next day. This happens often. When we call the County to report the discharge, it often subsides by the time County officials reach the site.

Discharge from a stormwater pipe outfall

On the way to ...

... to the Northwest Branch

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Special thanks to Clair Garman of the Friends of Sligo Creek for his help in editing this page. He is also a member of the Neighbors of Northwest Branch.