Safe And Sound Stream Debris Inspection Carried Out After Winter Weather

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Recent winter weather events led officials to conduct an Ellicott City Safe and Sound stream debris inspection, the first debris removal for weather this year and the 13th since the plan was implemented. More than 28 tons of debris have been removed from stream channels in and around Ellicott City since the beginning of the program.

“The multiple winter storms in our region last week caused several tree limbs to fall into our streams in and around Ellicott City,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “Our team has already inspected many of our waterways and will soon begin the stream debris clean-up. This process will prevent debris from collecting and causing stream blockages.”

Under protocols established by Ball in December 2018, debris will be removed after a rain event of 2 inches or greater accumulation in a 24-hour period or after an hour of sustained winds over 30 mph. Previously, waterways were only inspected on a quarterly or semi-annual basis.

While the county did not see sustained winds over 30 mph during the most recent weather events, due to the severity of wind gusts, the department of public works initiated this enhanced inspection to ensure the streams are clear of debris.

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 14 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.