DCWF Report Card for 2024

In 2024, the Foundation continued projects with a direct relationship to the goals of the Deep Creek Watershed Management Plan by:

1. continuing the 2021 and 2022 water quality bioassessments by Drs. David Argent and William Kimmel in 29 watershed streams that discharge into Deep Creek Lake, focusing on the presence of E. coli, determining its origin and reporting to the Health Department;
2. taking the next steps to develop a working water budget model by testing ground water recharge and presenting results to DNR, MDE, and Brookfield Renewable Power;
3. distributing more free rain barrels and supporting more public Brunch and Learn productions regarding the watershed;
4. meeting with the Director of Public Health and others to partner regarding water quality and septic systems;
5. purchasing limestone for the MDE operated mechanical doser on Cherry Creek to neutralize acid mine drainage;
6. partnering with both the POA and DNR in the “10 in 10 Project” to prevent shoreline erosion and sedimentation;
7. working with DNR to leverage the DCWF funded water temperature and water level gauges to monitor the water quality;
8. joining with property owners to push for lowering lake levels in Winter to retard the growth of SAV in the Spring; and
9. purchasing foul weather gear and some equipment for the young people who are DNR Boat Stewards at the State Park Boat Launch Ramp and inspecting boats for potential invasive species.

In 2024, we continued to improve communication with watershed stakeholders by:

• producing two newsletters;
• organizing two successful fundraising events;
• creating a new committee on video creation;
• producing three feature articles supporting the DCWF in our local newspapers, and;
• allotting $5000 for a Scientific Symposium in 2025 in honor of the 100^th Anniversary of DCL. 

The Garrett County Commission gave a significant donation to support our Water Budget Model Project, and we continued to work with our State Delegate Jim Hinebaugh and Senator Mike McKay. We continued discussions with the County to develop a tribute park for those who helped preserve and protect the Deep Creek Watershed and Lake.

The Deep Creek Watershed Foundation has been evaluated by Charity Navigator, the world’s largest and most trusted nonprofit evaluator, and earned a Four-Star Rating! This is the highest possible rating on Charity Navigator.