The Severn River Association (SRA), in partnership with Hanover Land Services, is developing an action plan for the Severn Run Mainstem 1 subwatershed – an area near Severn, MD at the top of Severn Run. This plan will improve water quality by identifying projects that can substantially reduce pollution from entering the Severn River from this heavily developed area. Once identified, we will prioritize restoration projects based on cost-effectiveness for reducing pollution loads, enhancing habitats, and improving community resilience to environmental challenges. This project is made possible through a $74,949 grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust: Watershed Assistance Grant Program.

Goals and Objectives

1. Develop a long-term strategy to address nutrient and sediment pollution
2. Identify a list of viable stormwater treatment projects that will substantially reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment loads
3. Prioritize these projects based on factors such as pollutant loads, location in the watershed, cost-effectiveness, public safety, community support, and capacity to increase fairness.

Project Motivation

In 2024, SRA published our Severn River Action Plan (SRAP), which updated previous restoration planning documents. The SRAP helped us prioritize areas (“subwatershed”) for restoration based on a comprehensive analysis. It further identified a list of potential restoration projects in the Weems Creek subwatershed, the #1 priority. The #2 priority already has an action plan and we have already been working on an action plan for Picture Spring Branch (the Odenton area), the #3 priority. Now, it’s time to turn our attention to Severn Run Mainstem 1, the #4 priority.

Where Is Severn Run Mainstem 1?

Severn Run Mainstem 1 is a freshwater, non-tidal tributary located near Severn, Maryland, within Anne Arundel County. It is the headwaters (beginning) of the Severn River. Several communities, the biggest of which is The Provinces, are located in this subwatershed, shown below. These include portions of Ridgefield, Sandridge, Disney Estates, Severn Hills, Lake Village, Quail Run, Wesley Woods, Meade Village, Riviera Heights, and Orchards at Severn. Points of interest include Provinces Park, Meade Village Park, Van Bokkelen Elementary School, the Severn Center, and Pioneer Plaza Shopping Center.

As you can see, the Severn Run Mainstem 1 subwatershed is heavily developed, with quite a lot of impervious surfaces – impervious structures (houses and other buildings) are shown in red and roads are black in the map below.

Potential Restoration Opportunities

We used GIS mapping tools to identify potential restoration sites, including stream and wetland segments that could be restored, and locations where stormwater runoff can be reduced. This includes opportunities to retrofit or enhance existing best management practices (BMPs) and identify sites for new BMPs. Field visits will help us determine which sites are feasible, cost effective and worth prioritizing for restoration.

Environmental Benefits

The action plan will focus on reducing pollutants entering Severn Run, leading to several environmental benefits:

• Reduced nutrient and sediment loads in the waterways.
• Improved water quality and stream health.
• Enhanced habitat for aquatic life.
• Restoration of riparian and freshwater habitats through forested buffers and stream restoration.
• Increased nature-based resilience to climate change impacts like flooding and erosion.

Community Benefits

The Severn Run Mainstem 1 Action Plan aims to engage and benefit communities in several ways:

• Increased awareness about stormwater runoff, green infrastructure, and environmental stewardship.
• Community input will be gathered through stakeholder meetings to ensure the plan reflects local priorities and values.
• Opportunities for community members to participate in project implementation and maintenance.
• Improved community resilience to flooding and erosion issues.
• Enhanced green spaces and aesthetic improvements.

We Want to Hear From You!

You know your neighborhood best and we want to hear from you. Where do you see stormwater pooling or carrying sediment when it rains? Your input will help us identify and prioritize projects that matter most to your community.

SRA is hosting a community meeting Wednesday April 8, 2026, 5:30-7:30pm at the Severn Center, 1160 Reece Rd., Severn, MD 21144. We will share what we have found so far in our preliminary results, seek input and gather feedback. Ultimately, we want to connect with residents who care about the Severn River and want to make a difference. Register HERE.

Anticipated Outcomes

The action plan is expected to yield several key outcomes:

• A ranked list of restoration projects based on feasibility, cost and community benefit
• Conceptual designs for the top 10 priority projects.
• Strengthened partnerships with Anne Arundel County and local residents.
• Increased capacity for ongoing watershed restoration and management.

Ultimately, these projects will reduce pollution and improve water quality in both Severn Run and Severn River.

Timeline

• December 2024 – Grant application submitted
• March 2025 – Grant awarded, project kickoff
• April-December 2025 – Data collection and GIS mapping analysis
• June-December 2025 – Field investigations vetting results from GIS mapping
• April 2026 – Community Meeting(s)
• April-May 2026 – Address Comments from Community Meeting(s)
• October 2025 – April 2026 – Hydrological and Hydraulics analysis
• April-June 2026 – Concept designs for top priority potential projects
• June 2026 – Draft Severn Run Mainstem 1 Subwatershed Action Plan!
• July 2026 – Final Severn Run Mainstem 1 Subwatershed Action Plan!

Image Gallery

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