Belvoir Farm Pond Retrofit

Belvoir Farms community
Severn Riverkeeper Program
Underwood & Associates, Inc.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Chesapeake and Coastal Bays Trust Fund
Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection Watershed Restoration Grant (administered by the
Chesapeake Bay Trust)
Anne Arundel County Forested Land Grant Program
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Small Watershed Grant Program

The Belvoir Farms Restoration Project in Crownsville, Maryland, was initiated by the community’s desire to transition outdated 20th-century piped stormwater technology into a modern, nature-based system that reconnects stream and wetland complexes. The existing farm pond and earthen dam were increasingly prone to erosion and sediment pollution, threatening downstream ecosystems. Community members recognized the need for a solution that provided better water flow, reduced erosive forces, and enhanced ecological connectivity. To achieve this, the project decommissioned the aging dam and replaced it with a Regenerative Stream Channel (RSC) system. This approach removed a 30-foot section of the dam, lowered the remaining embankment by five feet, and created a series of sand-bedded pools and cobble riffles. These natural features facilitate stable water flow, nutrient processing, and stormwater attenuation, while enhancing wetland habitats and supporting local biodiversity. The innovative design connects surface water with groundwater, reducing erosive forces and ensuring long-term ecological stability.

The project restored 480 feet of stream and created or enhanced 0.86 acres of wetlands, establishing a vibrant integrated stream and wetland complex. Over 3,200 native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants were strategically planted to stabilize the landscape, improve water quality, and support wildlife. This nature-based solution also reduces nutrient pollution, removing approximately 296.81 lbs of nitrogen, 2.63 lbs of phosphorus, and 5,000 tons of total suspended sediments annually.

Community involvement was integral to the project’s success. The Belvoir Farms Community contributed over $45,000 and volunteered extensively for design, planting, and maintenance. They signed a 30-year agreement to protect reforestation efforts and participated in educational events, including an Earth Day planting celebration, fostering environmental stewardship. The Belvoir Farms Restoration Project, completed in October 2022, exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to stormwater management by reconnecting stream and wetland complexes with nature-based solutions, ensuring ecosystem resilience and community engagement.