Ecotone, Inc. was selected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Dorchester Soil Conservation District (DSCD) to complete the restoration design and construction for the 735 acre Little Blackwater site located along Egypt Road in Cambridge, Maryland. The majority of the site was in agricultural row crop production for over 50 years, and ditches constructed to drain wetland hydrology and carry stormwater runoff from the site bisected the site and emptied directly into the Little Blackwater River and Maple Dam Branch. The major project goal was water quality improvement, and restoration of the ditches on the site was seen as the most effective way to achieve that goal.

The restoration of the existing ditches involved using a non-traditional approach to headwater stream restoration unique to the lower coastal plain. “Swamp Run“ morphology, similar to conditions seen in riverine systems on the lower coastal plain where no defined streambed and bank features exist, was created to provide the maximum water quality improvement benefit. Each ditch was widened to between 25 and 60 feet wide, and a series of nearly level “cells” were created with cobble outfalls to help maintain stability and transition between the upstream and downstream elevations. Hummocks and divots varying up to one and a half feet from the invert elevation were incorporated into the grading to promote a wide range of hydrology and create large scale roughness to help slow and disperse storm flow. The plan called for native wetland seed mix and native tree and shrub species were planted in the newly created swamp runs to mimic the adjacent Maple Dam Branch and Little Blackwater River riverine plant communities.

Ecotone completed the design to meet the short deadline in spring of 2008, including coordination with DNR, DSCD and the site engineer for an adjacent residential development to ensure that the proposed restored swamp runs would facilitate storm flows from proposed residential stormwater facilities. Construction of the first seven swamp runs was also completed within the short required time frame for completion, and all restoration grading was completed in November 2008. Ecotone worked closely with the project sponsors to make any required field changes and coordinate construction activities to reduce interference with ongoing crop farming on the site. During construction, Ecotone assisted DNR in installing a continuous water monitoring station along one of the swamp runs. Planting area layout, construction management, and as-built survey services were also completed by Ecotone.