
The entire National Capital Region Network (NCRN) is part of the 64,000 square mile watershed of the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The vast majority of NCRN park streams fall within the Potomac River watershed, the Bay's second-largest tributary, and a few small parts of National Capital Parks - East (the Suitland Parkway and Baltimore and Washington Parkway) lie within the Patuxent River watershed.
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Water chemistry, nutrient dynamics, and surface water dynamics can all effect the productivity of ecosystems, shift the abundance and distribution of species, and alter nutrient cycles. All are important in maintaining a healthy habitat for aquatic organisms, wildlife, plants, and humans.
Monitoring
The NCRN monitors water in non-tidal, first through fourth order streams in NCRN parks. Water chemistry parameters measured include temperature, pH, specific conductance, salinity, acid neutralizing capacity, and dissolved oxygen. Nutrient dynamics parameters measured include total nitrate (NO3), and total phosphorous (PO4). Surface water dynamics parameters measured include flow, discharge, water depth, and wetted width.
Last updated: June 12, 2020