Gunpowder Riverkeeper

Gunpowder Riverkeeper Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® values the biological, recreational and economic aspects of the river.

Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® is a grassroots, advocacy based, non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) ) (3) membership organization charged with protecting, conserving and restoring the Gunpowder, Bird, Bush, and Middle Rivers and their watersheds for all users. Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER®, is the 18th WATERKEEPER® program in the Chesapeake region and takes responsibility for protecting and conserving the Gunpowder r

iver and its watershed for the benefit of the public. As a member of the WATERKEEPER ALLIANCE® we take a proactive role in safeguarding the river from threats to the health and stability of the watershed by conducting scientific monitoring of the river to ensure that it is being properly regulated by the county, state and federal entities charged with enforcing Clean water act regulations. That’s why we’re committed to independent water quality testing for bacteria and other harmful pollutants in the watershed. We champion enforcement and compliance of environmental laws within the watershed to protect and conserve the river for all users. Our project areas include:
Monitoring industrial activities
Stormwater runoff compliance
Invasive species containment/outreach
Agricultural runoff compliance
Lawn fertilizer nutrient loading/outreach
Sewage overflow compliance
Monitoring and Mapping the River and its Watershed

Join us on 9/19/26 from 9am - 2pm at the Gunpowder State Park Hammerman Area classroom for instruction and Dundee Creek...
08/29/2026

Join us on 9/19/26 from 9am - 2pm at the Gunpowder State Park Hammerman Area classroom for instruction and Dundee Creek Marina for practice to become certified submerged aquatic vegetation monitors! Volunteers help track and restore populations of S.A.V. to improve water quality across the Chesapeake Watershed. Check out our blogpost for more details and for a link to RSVP for your free ticket. https://gunpowderriverkeeper.org/join-us-for-submerged-aquatic-vegetation-training-9-19-2026/

On Tuesday, August 25th, three out of the five locations along the Gunpowder River and Little Gunpowder Falls tested be...
08/27/2026

On Tuesday, August 25th, three out of the five locations along the Gunpowder River and Little Gunpowder Falls tested below 235 MPN (Maximal Probable Number) in a single-grab sample, in dry conditions.
https://gunpowderriverkeeper.org/gunpowder-river-water-quality-update-august-25-2026/
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Please note safe swim guidance from MDE is to refrain from entering waters of the State within 48 hours of a 1" rainfall event. We test for E. Coli levels at five locations across the basin. Our results are a snapshot of water conditions at the time the sample was taken. We do not currently monitor other health risks such as: Harmful algal blooms, Vibrio, or Pfiesteria.

On Tuesday, August 18th, five out of the five locations along the Gunpowder River and Little Gunpowder Falls tested abov...
08/19/2026

On Tuesday, August 18th, five out of the five locations along the Gunpowder River and Little Gunpowder Falls tested above 235 MPN (Maximal Probable Number) in a single-grab sample, in wet conditions.
https://gunpowderriverkeeper.org/gunpowder-river-water-quality-update-august-18-2026/
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Please note safe swim guidance from MDE is to refrain from entering waters of the State within 48 hours of a 1" rainfall event. We test for E. Coli levels at five locations across the basin. Our results are a snapshot of water conditions at the time the sample was taken. We do not currently monitor other health risks such as: Harmful algal blooms, Vibrio, or Pfiesteria.

If you want to be informed on the Amtrak Bridge Replacement Project over the Gunpowder and Bush Rivers, but you can't ma...
08/14/2026

If you want to be informed on the Amtrak Bridge Replacement Project over the Gunpowder and Bush Rivers, but you can't make it to the Public Meeting on 8.18, use the QR code or the link below to join the live stream or watch the recorded meeting. https://youtube.com/live/TECO4DYhAvQ?feature=share

With your public support we are now monitoring the Gunpowder River Tidal Basin to provide the public with information ab...
08/13/2026

With your public support we are now monitoring the Gunpowder River Tidal Basin to provide the public with information about E. coli levels throughout the Lower Gunpowder River.
Seven out of the seven locations within the Gunpowder River tested below 235 MPN (Maximal Probable Number) E. coli in a single-grab sample, in wet conditions, on Wednesday, August 12th.
https://gunpowderriverkeeper.org/gunpowder-riverkeeper-tidal-basin-bacteria-results-august-12th-2026/
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Please note safe swim guidance from MDE is to refrain from entering waters of the State within 48 hours of a 1" rainfall event. We test for E. Coli levels at seven locations within the Tidal Gunpowder River Basin. Our results are a snapshot of water conditions at the time the sample was taken. We do not currently monitor other health risks such as: Harmful algal blooms, Vibrio, or Pfiesteria.

On Tuesday, August 11th, in a single-grab sample, in wet conditions, five out of the five locations along the Gunpowder...
08/13/2026

On Tuesday, August 11th, in a single-grab sample, in wet conditions, five out of the five locations along the Gunpowder River and Little Gunpowder Falls tested above 235 MPN (Maximal Probable Number), ranging from 2098 to >2419.6 MPN.
https://gunpowderriverkeeper.org/gunpowder-river-water-quality-update-august-11-2026/
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Please note safe swim guidance from MDE is to refrain from entering waters of the State within 48 hours of a 1" rainfall event. We test for E. Coli levels at five locations across the basin. Our results are a snapshot of water conditions at the time the sample was taken. We do not currently monitor other health risks such as: Harmful algal blooms, Vibrio, or Pfiesteria.

Please join us from 6-7pm (and get there early because parking can be limited) on Tuesday August 18, 2026 at Joppatowne ...
08/13/2026

Please join us from 6-7pm (and get there early because parking can be limited) on Tuesday August 18, 2026 at Joppatowne Christian Church: 725 Trimble Road Joppatowne, MD 21085 for an information session about the Gunpowder and Bush River Amtrak Bridge replacement projects to hear from the Amtrak team and meet neighbors living or navigating these waterways! Check out all the details about the project on our blogpost and on the flyer below.

Address

Sparks Nature Center, 1207 Sparks Road
Sparks, MD
21152

Telephone

+14109673526

Website

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