ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Ellicott City Safe and Sound’s stream debris removal program was triggered this week by the high winds experienced in the region, including the removal of a large fallen tree in the watershed. This is the second debris removal triggered by a weather event this year and the 12th since the plan was implemented. The enhanced stream debris removal program was one of the early initiatives announced under the County Executive Ball’s Safe and Sound plan. More than 30 tons of debris have been removed from stream channels in and around Ellicott City since the beginning of the program. Video of the clean-up can be found here. Video without music or titles can be found here.
The strong winds at the beginning of this week caused several tree limbs to fall and uprooted some trees. Our team has already inspected many of our waterways and begun the stream debris clean up. With additional rain and windy conditions today, this clean-up will prevent debris from collecting and causing stream blockages.
Under protocols established by Ball in December 2018, debris will be removed after any rain event of 2 inches or greater accumulation in a 24-hour period, or after an hour of sustained winds over 30mph. Previously, waterways were only inspected on a quarterly or semi-annual basis.
Within three business days of a qualifying wind or rain event, 56 locations on public properties and on Columbia Association property along nine Howard County streams are inspected. These sites have been chosen because they are locations that are known to experience, or contribute to, localized flooding. Within fourteen business days of the inspection, the material that was identified for removal during the inspection will be removed by crews from Howard EcoWorks and the Department of Public Works.
To follow the progress of inspections and debris removal, please visit www.ecsafeandsound.org.