Anacostia Watershed Society Stream Corridor Assessment Bel Pre Creek Above Bel Pre Road
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The following information was provided by Masaya Maeda of the Anacostia Watershed Society.

AWS has decided to conduct a SCA (Stream Corridor Assessment) survey on the Northwest Branch and has already conducted it on a small portion of the stream. We would like to identify environmental problems such as eroding stream banks, inadequate stream buffers, exposed pipes, altered stream channels, fish migration barriers, pipe outfalls, in-stream construction sites and trash dumping locations along the branch. The major findings will be reported appropriately. The data will be also used to raise people's awareness of stream problems and eventually it will be incorporated into WRAS project by State Government.

Survey Date: 5/27/2005

230104 Fish Barrier

This is a check dam but is also a fish barrier. This does not allow resident fish to go upstream and it narrows their habitat.
The significance of this dam as a fish barrier is NOT serious because this is a 2nd order stream.
But, there are other several dams like this. A check dam is installed to usually decrease the streamflow velocity,
decrease channel erosion, and promote deposition of sediment. However, it also brings negative impacts.

231101 Erosion Site

Approximate length: 160 ft Approximate Height: 5 ft

231102 Erosion Site

Approximate length: 280 ft Approximate Height: 5 ft

231103 Erosion Site

Approximate length: 120 ft Approximate Height: 5 ft

231105 Fish Barrier

The road is a fish barrier for resident fish. This barrier is NOT serious
as a fish barrier because, again, this stream is the 2nd order stream.
Limited upstream portion is segmented.
It is difficult to see but small pipes are lined under the road as a water path.

Beyond this fence, the Bel Pre Creek flows in a golf course. The road is for golf carts.