I live in Clinton, MD and one of my favorite past times is
fishing. I am known for every January traveling
to Lake Okeechobee to fish for crappie. At least twice a season, I go with
friends to fish in the Chesapeake Bay.
And if you want to find me and the kids most Saturdays from spring to
fall, come to Cosca Park and you will see us pulling catfish, bass, and
bluegill out of the lake. This semester,
I learned about Piscataway Creek, not only as a new fishing spot, but I discovered
it as watershed in my own backyard.
What “reeled” me in to studying the watershed at Piscataway
Creek (the Creek)? Well, after learning
the course requirements and talking with the instructor, I searched the
internet for activities at the Creek. The
watershed made local news when more than two dozen families where displaced
because of landslides during the spring of 2014. I had visited this area before and it is beautiful!
Homes overlooking the Piscataway Creek with views of the Potomac River. Eagles, blue herons, and deer are everywhere.
Yet, I never concerned the watershed (A watershed is the area
of land where all of the water that is under it or drains off of it goes into
the same place). I wanted to know
more, I was hooked!
As I went fishing for information about the Piscataway Creek
Watershed, my rod and reel were the internet.
When looking for more information about the location and physical description
of the Creek, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and United States
Geological Survey gave detailed statistics.
I also came across the Piscataway Hill Community Association (who
represents those in the area who were displaced by the landslide) and their
activities to advocate for the Creek’s care.
The most helpful in-depth study of plants in the area was the
combination of the Virginia Tech Dendrology Factsheets, Forest Service Dendrology
database were excellent sources.
I usually judge a good day of fishing by just being out on
the water. This outing of learning of
the Piscataway Creek Watershed, has proven not only to be a good experience,
but I ended this semester with something to show for my time spent. There is so much that I learned about the
health of watersheds, plants, advocacies, and the many tools and reports on
watersheds. Most importantly were my
thoughts in the area of public policy, local government official will be tasked
to respond more to the issues of watershed.
Piscataway Hills neighborhood become important because of the landslide,
but as communities discover other watershed issues (such as health risk of pollution
and importance of native plants) they will task policy makers to address these
issues as they develop and plan communities.
I enjoyed learning more about Piscataway Creek, not only a
new fishing spot, but a watershed in my backyard.
