When the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was established in 2010 (see Appendix T), it was believed that the Conowingo Dam would continue to trap a portion of the sediment and nutrient pollution flowing down the Susquehanna River, at least through 2025. This trapping capacity was factored into the projections of how much pollution reductions would be needed to restore the Bay. New research has determined that the reservoir behind Conowingo Dam has effectively filled-in and hence, larger pollution reductions are needed to meet the Bay’s water quality standards than originally calculated. To address this issue, in December 2017, the Chesapeake Bay Program Principals’ Staff Committee (PSC) agreed to work collaboratively on a separate Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP).

Upcoming Meetings

February 24, 2021
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Conowingo WIP Steering Committee Meeting, February 2021

 Export this Event >>
View Meeting Calendar >> << View Past Meetings

Scope and Purpose

The PSC created a Conowingo WIP Steering Committee with the following roles and responsibilities:

  1. Consists of a representative from each Bay watershed jurisdiction and the Chesapeake Bay Commission. Members may also solicit comments on the Conowingo WIP framework from key stakeholders. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will not participate due to its oversight role as part of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load accountability framework;
  2. Develops the Conowingo WIP with EPA staff and contractor support;
  3. Guides the development of a financing strategy with contractor support; and, 
  4. Oversees implementation of the Conowingo WIP with contractor support.

Projects and Resources

Conowingo WIP Financing Plan

Live Webinars for Watershed Community

Live Webinars for the Watershed Community

When the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was established in 2010 it was believed that the Conowingo Dam would continue to trap a portion of the sediment and nutrient pollution flowing down the Susquehanna River through at least 2025. A recent study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland Department of the Environment concluded the reservoir has reached approximately 92% capacity and is no longer effectively trapping sediment and associated nutrients. In December 2017, the Chesapeake Bay Program agreed to a separate Conowingo Planning Target and to collectively develop a separate Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP). 

These webinars will introduce the draft Conowingo WIP and provide details on the development of the WIP. Speakers from the organizations working with EPA and the Conowingo WIP Steering Committee to develop and implement the Conowingo WIP (Center for Watershed Protection, the Chesapeake Conservancy, the University of Maryland Sea Grant Program and the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology) will present background information on the WIP development, provide an overview of the WIP process, and provide time for questions and answers.  Participants will be able to provide formal comment via the chat box during the webinar or via email (CWIP@chesapeakebay.net) to up to the close of the comment period.

Pennsylvania Agriculture Community CWIP Webinar

Topic: Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) introduction

When: Jan 6, 2021 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_74-vI6jjSKu7bIajW2lT9w 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

New York Conowingo CWIP Webinar

Topic: Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) introduction  

When: Jan 7, 2021 10:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIpcO6tqTMrHtLIzXrbk9p4vSDuV_iDPgEX

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Maryland Stakeholder CWIP Webinar

Topic: Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) introduction

When: Jan 13, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Register in advance for this webinar: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ehfssk6758159527&oseq=&c=&ch=

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Stakeholder Engagement in Priority Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan Geographies

The outreach team is working with local leaders including conservation district staff, county planners, County Action Plan Coordinators (in PA), and others to host meetings with key staff members who were involved in the development of local and jurisdictional WIPs. These meetings are designed to promote conversations with stakeholders who live and work in these counties that are within the primary CWIP geography: Maryland—Cecil, Harford, Baltimore County; Pennsylvania—York, Lancaster, Centre, Cumberland, Franklin, Adams, Bedford Lebanon; New York—Tioga, Broome, Cortland.

You can access recordings of the local stakeholder webinars by clicking on the links below: 

Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan - Materials for Public Review

Draft materials are now open for public review and comment. Please follow this link for a webinar recording Introduction to the Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan. Comments should be directed to CWIP@chesapeakebay.net on or before January 21, 2021. 

Scope of Work for the Conowingo WIP

Timeline for Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan Development

Framework for the Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan

View All >>