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Sustainable Monocacy Commission
The Sustainable Monocacy Commission was established in January 2020 through Bill No. 19-17. The Sustainable Monocacy Commission will focus on improving water quality, maintaining and restoring the ecological health of the River and its tributaries, conserving and protecting wildlife habitat and the natural, cultural, and scenic qualities of the Monocacy River and its tributaries flowing in and through Frederick County.
The Monocacy River was designated by the State of Maryland as a State Scenic River in 1974 following the adoption of the Maryland Scenic and Wild Rivers Act of 1968. The Monocacy River forms at the confluence of Marsh Creek and Rock Creek at the Pennsylvania state line and forms the boundary between Frederick and Carroll Counties. From this point the Monocacy flows for 58 miles to the Potomac River. The Monocacy River watershed encompasses some 974 square miles including portions of Frederick County, Carroll County, and Adams County, Pennsylvania and is the largest Maryland tributary to the Potomac River.
With the State Scenic River designation came the need to address how the River, its uses, and resources can be managed. In the late 1980's the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) initiated the preparation of a management plan with assistance of staff from Frederick County and Carroll County and the Monocacy Scenic River Citizens’ Advisory Board. The Monocacy Scenic River Study and Management Plan was published in May 1990.
In April 2019, the Frederick County Council approved an update to the original 1990 Monocacy Scenic River Study and Management Plan, prepared by the Monocacy Scenic River Citizens’ Advisory Board which, at the time, was a bi-County board comprised of residents from Frederick County and Carroll County.
After the 2019 adoption of the Monocacy River Management Plan, both Frederick County and Carroll County determined that a new approach for a citizen-based volunteer group was warranted to address each county’s unique needs and challenges relating to the Monocacy River. On January 23, 2020, Frederick County formally established the Sustainable Monocacy Commission through Bill No. 19-17.
General Information
Monocacy Scenic River Water Trail Map
The Potomac River: The River Runs Through Us
(A video on River Water Issues)
A Program for the Monocacy Watershed
(1951) Prepared by the Maryland State Planning Commission, this document is the first known study of the Monocacy River and its watershed.
2023 Monocacy River Report
An informational tool to inform, educate, and enlighten people about the incredible Monocacy River.
Invasion of the Rusty Crayfish
Biologists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) find invasive crayfish in the Monocacy. MD DNR has banned the catch, possession, and use as bait in the Middle Potomac River Basin, which includes the Monocacy River Watershed.
Study of Smallmouth Bass in the Monocacy River 2005
Prepared by Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Bill No. 19-17 Sustainable Monocacy Commission
Monocacy River - Legore Bridge 2009 Rehab
Monocacy Assessment Hood College 2020 Final
Monocacy River Management Plan - Council Approved 4/16/2019
Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)
A summary of Agricultural BMPs and cost share programs from the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Catoctin/Frederick Soil Conservation Districts, 2021
Fish Kills/Hazardous Spills
If you find dead or dying fish in the Monocacy River or Potomac River, please contact the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Fish Kill Investigation Section at (443) 224-2731 or 800-285-8195 (normal business hours). Evenings, weekends or holidays, call the Chesapeake Bay Safety and Environmental Hotline at 877-224-7229 or the DNR-Fisheries Service at (301) 898-5443 with the time, date, location, fish species, and approximate number of affected fish. Photographs and a description of any unusual behavior or water conditions are also helpful.
For hazardous material spills in the Monocacy River or Potomac River watersheds view in this link.
For information on watershed reports and water quality studies in the Monocacy River Watershed in Frederick County, click here.
Upcoming Meetings
Division of Planning & Permitting Office, Basement Conference Room (30 N Market St)
6:30 pm
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Meeting Agendas
Meeting Minutes
Sustainable Monocacy Commission Members
Rules of Procedure, Adopted August 26, 2021
Bill Allen
Andrew Celmer
Charles E. Eirkson III
Drew Ferrier
R. Gary Magnuson
Matthew Moran
Lonnie Ropp
Kimberly Stewart
Alderwoman Katie Nash
Councilman Brad Young
River Resource Maps
- River Section 1 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 1 Slopes
- River Section 10 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 10 Slopes
- River Section 11 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 11 Slopes
- River Section 12 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 12 Slopes
- River Section 13 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 13 Slopes
- River Section 14 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 14 Slopes
- River Section 15 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 15 Slopes
- River Section 16 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 16 Slopes
- River Section 2 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 2 Slopes
- River Section 3 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 3 Slopes
- River Section 4 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 4 Slopes
- River Section 5 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 5 Slopes
- River Section 6 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 6 Slopes
- River Section 7 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 7 Slopes
- River Section 8 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 8 Slopes
- River Section 9 Floodplain Wetlands
- River Section 9 Slopes
Interesting Presentations to the Commission
Monocacy River Water Quality Analysis
Presentation plus Questions and Answers begin at 28:30 and end at 1:36:19 in the video shown below
Hometown Legend Lefty Kreh