State Of The Magothy Set For March 27

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The annual State of the Magothy presentation on the water quality of the Magothy River is set for March 27 at Anne Arundel Community College. Guest speaker Chris Phipps of the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works will discuss sewer lines.

According to Magothy River Association President Paul Spadaro, Phipps will talk about converting systems for people on septic to sewer. “A lot of homes in the Magothy are still on septic,” Spadaro said. Also, the Magothy River Association will talk about new Native American discoveries and their relationship to the Magothy.

This year’s water quality grade is around 39 C, the closest in recent years to a 40-grade C rating. Last year it was at 30, and it has been over a decade since it has exceeded a 40-grade C rating.

“We’ve had a really substantial jump in underwater grasses this year,” Spadaro said.

When asked what he attributes that to, he said, “The mussels played a major role, and the clarity is slightly better.”

He also said that many stations along the Magothy are improving, except for Cattail Creek. Spadaro applauded the Berrywood community for a restoration project completed by residents, but more needs to be done, he said.

“We can’t think a project that is 300 feet is going to fix something that is 2.5 miles long,” he said. “Cattail Creek runs through an area with commercial development and by schools. It has a huge influx of heavier-than-normal pollution.”

Still, there are signs of hope. A Berrywood neighbor caught a yellow perch from the end of his pier in late February.

In other news, the Magothy River Association is also working on a trivia game, which Spadaro compared to Chutes and Ladders.

“It’s an outline of the Magothy, but the chute part is [replaced by] these ferry crossings,” he said. “I’m hoping families could use it if they’re anchored out on the river. The answers are easily given, they’re multiple choice, and it’s an interesting mix of history and science.”

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