Introduction

The Union Bridge site is six acre (2 acre forested, 2 acre scrub-shrub, 2 acre emergent) wetland creation and stream restoration.  This wetland was created in floodplain/pasture land within the Middle Potomac River - Double Pipe Creek (02-14-03-04) watershed of Carroll County. 

Pre-construction conditions 1996

Status

In 2007, MDE conducted intensive site monitoring which included installing IRIS tubes, evaluating the soil, monitoring hydrology multiple times during the spring growing season, monitoring transects, and scoring the site.   The installed IRIS tubes and the spring hydrological observations indicated sufficient wetland hydrology.  However, observations during the scoring revealed some areas to be too dry.  Some of the soils are hydric.  Vegetation is dominated by wetland species but one area has a high amount of upland plant species.  There are also some invasive plant species, including thistle and moneywort.  The conclusions from the observational transects found that the majority of the site was wetland.  Using the newly developed Mitigation Site Scoring Method, MDE gave this site a score of 76/100.  This site provides some wetland functions including providing floodwater flow attenuation, providing recreational and educational opportunities, and providing habitat.  
            

Union Bridge Wetland Mitigation 2004

Cattail

Aster