Watts Branch Watershed Alliance
Watts Branch discharges the closest of the watersheds in the County to where the Potomac Water Treatment plant processes the Potomac into our drinking water, thereby having significant impacts on our drinking water. The watershed borders are south of both Muddy Branch and Seneca Creek. We work closely with our sister organizations in both watersheds, Muddy Branch Alliance and Seneca Creek Watershed Partners. All three groups share a calendar and our mailing list.
VISION
We envision the Watts Branch, and its surrounding habitat, a healthy environment for families to explore to fish, to wade and play in the stream, and to rest on its shores.
MISSION
Our mission is to reduce sediment, trash and other pollution from impacting the stream and protect it for a source of drinking water.
HISTORY
The group was initially formed in 2012, and received our 501(c)3 status effective as a non-profit in July 2021. We have a presence also on Instagram and Facebook.
WBWA works closely with Muddy Branch Alliance and Seneca Creek Watershed Partners. We share the calendar of events and email distribution for the newsletter, which you can sign up at this website.
More info:
Recent Activities: The Watts Branch Watershed Alliance works closely with the City of Rockville Environment Commission‘s Watersheds Committee. We have been leading trash pickup at several of the Parks within the City in our watershed. We also have board members active in Weed Warrior activites both in the City and in the County parks. Through donations from the City, we assist in monitoring chloride (salt) concentrations in the City at several stream reaches. In addition we have been monitoring chloride concentrations down stream with our own supplies. Results of the monitoring are reported on the Clean Water Hub.
Recognitions: In 2021 we received recognition from the Rockville Rotary Club, in the form of our first grant. In 2022 we received a similar grant from the organization. We are very appreciative of our partnership with the Rotary. They themselves have adopted a stream reach in Watts Branch watershed, and they are very active in promoting plantings of native plants in public spaces and are advocates of clean water.
Wall of Honor: Past Board Memebers: Ken Bawer.
Past Interns: Landry Kimball 2021 (stream monitoring advocacy).
