Swan Harbor Farm Recreational Area in Havre De Grace

A new recreation area in Havre de Grace is now complete, providing access for walking and other outdoor recreation. The project used sediment dredged from nearby boating channels to construct a pond and scenic path. The project was a partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Boating Services and the Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation.

The park provided a much needed home for sediment that filled the Havre de Grace Yacht Basin after flooding from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee forced officials to open the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna in the fall of 2011.

The area features an ADA-accessible, pedestrian walkway with scenic views of the surrounding area and a 20-foot by 20-foot timber observation platform.   Dikes and tree buffers were added to improve the health of local waters and the Chesapeake Bay. Approximately 14,800 square feet has been planted to include 37 large trees and 74 understory trees. According to DNR, the dredge site will become a pond and serve as home to a v-ariety of local wildlife.

The project has the capability to hold 100,000 cubic yards of dredged material from the Havre de Grace Yacht Basin. Cells inside the dike will slow water flow and allow the silt to settle out before the water reaches Swan Creek. From there, there are a series of small pools with check dams made of porous rock material to help filter the water.

The landscape features are required by the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission. DNR and the Harford County Parks and Recreation worked with the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission to ensure that the facility meets environmental requirements. The park is located at 401 Oakington Road in Havre de Grace.

source: MD DNR

Elk Neck State Forest Firewise Geocaching Trail

A new interactive geocaching trail that educates participants on the importance of wildfire prevention is open in Maryland's Elk Neck State Forest.

Firewise Maryland was developed by the Maryland Forest Service to teach citizens living within wooded areas susceptible to wildfires how to protect their homes. To promote this program, a geocaching trail with eight geocaches has been established on three tracts of the Elk Neck State Forest.

Each geocache contains a guestbook, Firewise prizes and specific geocache cards. Individuals who successfully locate all eight specific geocache cards earn a Firewise Maryland certificate available at the Elk Neck State Forest office located on Irishtown Road, or by calling the office at 410-287-5675.

Geocaching is a type of treasure hunting game where participants use a GPS unit or smart phone to locate containers, called geocaches, hidden by other people. Geocaching is for people of all ages and helps establish a strong sense of community and build support for the environment.

For more information on the Firewise geocaching trail, call Elk Neck State Forest at 410-287-5675 or visit dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/elkneckforest.asp

source: MD DNR

State Champion Sweet Birch Tree Discovered In Gunpowder Falls State Park

A new Maryland State Champion tree was recently found in Gunpowder Falls State Park. Dan Wilson, a volunteer with the Maryland Big Tree Program, located the massive sweet birch (Betula lenta) hidden deep within the Park.

The tree was found to be 115 feet tall, 10 feet 1 inch around and with a crown spread of 45 feet, equaling a total point value of 247. According to American Forests this is the tallest tree of its species on record. The previous sweet birch State Champion, with a point value of 237, is located in Cecil County.

The United States Champion is located in New Hampshire at 266 points. The Maryland champion appears healthy and could seize the national title in future years. The tree is also the largest of its species ever recorded in Maryland (dating back to 1925). The tree is located at GPS coordinates N39 32 093 W76 29 955.

The sweet birch is native to all of Maryland north and west of I-95, the tree can be found in counties south and east of that area but usually only sporadically and in small groups.

The name sweet birch comes from the sweet wintergreen flavor of its bark and twigs. The tree is also referred to as black birch because of its dark bark.

For more information, visit dnr.state.md.us/forests/trees/bigtree.asp

Where to Catch Rainbow Trout in Maryland

Each spring Maryland DNR stocks rainbow trout in streams, creeks, reservoirs, and ponds throughout the state. Fishing regulations and stocking dates may vary by location.

The following list includes several popular fishing spots where stocked trout may be found:

Lake Needwood (Montgomery)
Allens Pond (Prince Georges)
Tuckohoe Creek (Caroline)
Middle Patuxent River - Delayed Harvest (Howard)
Patuxent River - Catch & Return (Howard/Montgomery)
Morgan Run - Catch & Return Area (Carroll)
South Branch Patapsco River, Upper (Carroll)
North Branch Potomac River at Barnum (Garrett)
North Branch Potomac River Upper Catch and Release Area (Garrett)
Youghiogheny River Delayed Harvest Area (Garrett)
Youghiogheny River - Oakland (Garrett)
Youghiogheny River - Friendsville (Garrett)
Cunningham Falls Lake (Frederick)
Frank Bentz Pond (Frederick)
Rainbow Lake (Frederick)
Taneytown Pond - Robert's Mills (Carroll)
Battie Mixon Ponds (Allegany)
Patapsco River at Daniels (Baltimore)
Lake Habeeb - Rocky Gap (Allegany)
Jennings Run (Allegany)
Beaver Creek (Washington)
Blairs Valley Lake (Washington)
Greenbrier Lake (Washington)
Little Antietam Creek - Youth & Blind Only (Washington)
Little Tonoloway Creek, Upper (Washington)
Farm Museum Pond (Carroll)
Piney Run Reservoir (Carroll)
Elkhorn Lake (Howard)