water quality

Are Beavers Untapped Talent in Restoring the Severn?

by Joan Treichel, SRA science reporter The North American beaver has been promoted from “top hat” to “eco-engineer.” So reported Scott McGill. a stream and wetland restoration expert, during a talk sponsored by the Maryland Stream Restoration Association this winter.  Many aspects of the beaver’s capabilities were also reviewed by McGill’s colleague, Rachel Ortt, Eco-credits […]

Severn River WQ Data Tracks Dead Zones, Great Clarity

On top of all the trials we’ve experienced on land during 2020, the Severn River suffered through its own health crisis. It was a year that saw extensive algae blooms and persistent dead zones that plagued the river through spring and summer and even into the late October. And now, all of the water quality […]

2020 – The 5th Anniversary Of 14-Mile Severn River Swim 

— by Havana Mullaly, SRA Reporter Growing up in Severna Park, Jim Shepard was often found swimming in the Severn River. At a young age Jim was fascinated by swimming and was a part of the Severn River Swim Club during the 70’s. Back then, our treasured Severn River was in sad, sad shape. Despite […]

2020 – A Good Year For Oysters In The Severn!

ANNAPOLIS (October 10, 2020) — Despite the trials and challenges we all have faced on land from the Covid-19 pandemic, this was a good year for oysters in the Severn River, and now, conditions are greatly improving for them going into fall and winter. Just released water quality monitoring data, collected by the Severn River […]

Still Time To Sign Up For SRA’s Floating Classroom

The fall weather is a wonderful time to take advantage of SRA’s new Floating Classroom for students of all ages. This is a hands-on, environmental, educational and scientific adventure on the Severn River. SRA’s Floating Classroom is where “class” is held aboard our 20-ft. Maritime Skiff, Sea Girl. During a two- to three-hour tour, students […]

You’re Invited! SRA’s Annual Membership Meeting

August 28, 2020 Dear SRA Members and Communities, The Severn River Association (SRA) will hold its annual membership meeting on Sept. 3, 2020 at 7 pm. Due to the Covid pandemic, SRA is sponsoring a virtual meeting via a Zoom conference online. The meeting will feature: a keynote address by State Sen. Ed Reilly, a […]

Water Quality Monitoring Teams Are Back At Work!

With the lifting of boating restrictions in late May, SRA’s water quality monitoring crews are back in action to create a comprehensive picture of the health of the Scenic Severn River. Our weekly water quality monitoring tours visit 45 stations throughout the entire waterway, from Indian Landing at the top of the river, through Round […]

Monthly Giving, Automatic Renewal Now Available

If you’d like to automatically renew your SRA membership every year, you can now do this via the SRA Website. Your support helps sustain critical SRA’s programs. For example: a $50 donation supports our new Floating Classroom, which gives students a day of scientific explorations of the river and its habitat. A $35 donation keeps […]

Another Algae Bloom … Now In Fresh Water

There’s more than one algae bloom revealing itself in the Severn River watershed — in the middle of winter 2020. Our intrepid Field Investigator, Izzie Ketcham, has discovered a green tide in a non-tidal freshwater pond that feeds into the Severn River via Chase Creek. This is the green color in the picture at right […]

Call For Volunteers! Lots Of Opportunities Ahead!

We’re looking for volunteers of all ages to help out with scientific, educational, exploration and clean-up projects in and around the Severn River in 2020.  The goal, as always, is to help ensure that our river is always fishable and swimmable. The volunteer opportunities include many chances to become citizen scientists who document what makes […]

A New Year Is Dawning!!!

We wish you peace and joy in the New Year, and a hearty, ‘Thank You,” for all you’ve done to treasure the Severn River in 2019. And with your help, 2020 will be the Year Of Discovery and Exploration on the Severn River! Your end-of-year donation to the Severn River Association supports scientific and educational […]

Oyster Restoration Update