Watts Branch (Anacostia River tributary)

Watts Branch is a tributary stream of the Anacostia River in Prince George's County, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

Watts Branch
A restored portion of Watts Branch in 2011
Location
StatesMaryland
CountyPrince George's County, Maryland
CityWashington, D.C.
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • coordinates38.8706432°N 76.9045399°W / 38.8706432; -76.9045399
Mouth 
 • location
Anacostia River
 • coordinates
38.905706°N 76.957115°W / 38.905706; -76.957115
Length4.9 miles (7.9 km)
Basin size11,500 acres (47 km2)
Basin features
River systemPotomac River

Course

The headwaters of the stream originate in the Capitol Heights area of Prince George's County, and the branch flows roughly northwest for 4.9 miles (7.9 km) to the Anacostia, which drains to the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. The watershed area of Watts Branch is about 6,000 acres (24 km2) in Prince George's County and 5,500 acres (22 km2) in Washington.[1]

Water quality

Watts Branch is in a highly urbanized area, and its water quality has been rated as poor by government agencies. The stream has been polluted by urban runoff (stormwater), dumped trash and leaking sewer pipes. Much of the stream is in concrete channels or culverts.[2] A variety of stream cleanup and restoration projects have been initiated by D.C. government, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies, in cooperation with community organizations such as the Anacostia Riverkeeper, the Anacostia Watershed Society, Groundwork Anacostia, and the Watts Branch Community Alliance.[3]

See also
  • Watts Branch (Potomac River)
  • List of District of Columbia rivers
  • List of Maryland rivers

References
  1. District of Columbia. Department of Health. Watts Branch Watershed Implementation Plan. January 2004.
  2. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Annapolis, MD. Watts Branch, Washington, D.C. Watershed and Stream Assessment. 2002. Report No. CBFO-S02-03.
  3. District of Columbia. Department of the Environment. District Department of the Environment Receives $500,000 to Restore the Chesapeake Bay. News Release. May 8, 2007.
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