The Downspout Disconnection Program is a collaborative effort between the Herring Run and Jones Falls Watershed Associations to reduce the volume of rain water runoff, or stormwater, flowing into our storm drains and stream. The program is a part of an overall effort to reduce flooding in our streams and reduce nutrient, sediment, and other pollution from entering local stream and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. We are targeting neighborhoods within the two watersheds with downspouts or gutters that connect rooftop rain water directly into the storm drains. The HRWA and JFWA received grant funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as well as support from the City of Baltimore (DPW) and Baltimore County (DEPRM).
Targeting Our Resources:
The Small Watershed Action Plans for the Lower Jones Falls and Upper Back River recommended downspout disconnection to help clean up our streams. A SWAP is a document outlining the existing conditions of the watershed, threats to water quality, and strategies to improve water quality and the health of the watershed. Strategies in the SWAPs are community focused, targeting resident behavior change, volunteer activities, citizen awareness, and conservation strategies such as buffer and open space tree planting. The Upper Back River and Lower Jones Falls SWAPs are available on the Baltimore County DEPRM website.
Program Goals:
We secured a three year and grant and hope to accomplish the following by autumn of 2012. We need lots of residential participation to meet our goals, so register to participate today! Below are a few of our goals:
- Disconnect 4,000 downspouts
- Install 400 rain barrels
- Install 28 rain gardens
Program Results:
Once we have met our goals, we will have disconnected 80 acres of rooftop from the storm sewer system, effectively removing 650 pounds of total nitrogen, 98 pounds of total phosphorus, and 11 tons of sediment. The reductions in stormwater pollution that we achieve will protect our local streams, the Baltimore Harbor, and the Chesapeake Bay.
