Final Watershed Overview

Rock Creek Park - Hedera helix

Watershed Equipment

ROCK CREEK PARK’S SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS

Trees in Rock Creek Park

Rock Creek Conservancy

Rock Creek Park at the intersection of Calvert St. And Connecticut Ave. NW

This part of the park, right below the William Howard Taft Bridge which carries Connecticut Ave, is an entrance point to the park due to its easy access to the trails, parking spaces on the intersection with Calvert St and its recreational areas.  Unfortunately, the access to the creek is a different story. The creek is isolated from the trails by Beach Dr and Shoreham Dr, both of them are busy roads that makes it difficult for pedestrians to access the creek. Once you are able to cross the Beach Dr on the north side, the vegetation creates another layer of barrier and the easiest alternative is going through a small bridge that goes towards a police stable. Once on the other side of the bridge you can walk towards the creek on either side of the bridge but by then the sewage smell is strong enough to change your mind about wanting to see the creek. 

There are two discharge sewage points feeding the creek right underneath the William Howard Taft Bridge and there are sings warning about the pollution hazards. This very uninviting atmosphere contrast the beauty of the site with the bridge and its magnificent arches and the postcards views on the creek from the bottom of the bridge. This site has a major problem called sewage pollution that could be solved by diverting the sewage lines which would involve a cost and the will to change people's mind of what hey think the creek.