DCWF Report Card for 2025

In 2025, 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; a new report was published in 2024. We are continuing to focus on analyzing the results and developing any needed remediation plans during 2025;
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; this effort is anticipated to be completed in 2026;
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; initiated a new project in 2026 to further investigate how we can help the community address failing 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 preventshoreline 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 2025, we continued to improve communication with watershed stakeholders
by:

• Producing two newsletters;
• Organizing four successful fundraising events;
• Producing bi-monthly feature articles supporting the DCWF in our local newspapers;
• Supported field trips and the purchase of some basic equipment for High School students to conduct water testing;
• Added the following members to our Foundation:
  • added an environmental engineer as a new board member with experience in drinking water and wastewater treatment, water quality monitoring, and acid mine drainage remediation,
  • added a new advisor from the Department of Natural Resources, Garrett County’s Watershed Coordinator, to enhance our foundation expertise and our partnership with the county, and
  • added an agronomist as a board member; and
• Hosted a Scientific Symposium in 2025 in honor of the 100 th  Anniversary of DCL to explore the past, present, and future of the watershed. Attendees heard directly from experts and community leaders, with opportunities to ask questions and provide input on next steps for protecting the lake. Talks focused on several of the thirteen goals of The Deep Creek Watershed Management Plan, while inviting public engagement.

We continued discussions with the County to develop a tribute park for those who helped preserve and protect the Deep Creek Watershed and Lake. We are working with the DNR Land Acquisition team. 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.