QAC Public Works Releases Website with Information about Drainage in Cloverfields
Queen Anne’s County Department of Public Works published a new website with information about the drainage in Cloverfields. You can visit the website at https://cloverfieldsdrainage.com. Cloverfields is a neighborhood located in Stevensville which is in the southern part of Queen Anne’s County.
“High water after a significant storm is an issue I personally experienced when I lived in Cloverfields; I know the frustration. The County has been investigating what resources it can pull together to lessen the impact, including seeking assistance from state and federal agencies. Given our geography and rising water levels, we cannot promise that all flooding can be stopped. My hope is that this website will help to provide the residents with a better understanding of the issue and what can and cannot be done to address it. We plan to provide additional informational in the future and invite the effected residents to send us questions that are not answered by the website.” says County Commissioner Chris Corchiarino
When you visit the new website you will first see a brief overview along with a Digital Elevation Model map of the neighborhood. This map shows where there are low lying areas throughout the neighborhood. Cloverfields was constructed prior to modern day floodplain and building regulations which leave some areas of the neighborhood vulnerable to tidal and riverine flooding. Tidal flooding, also known as sunny day flooding or nuisance flooding, is the temporary inundation of low-lying areas, especially streets, during exceptionally high tide events, such as at full and new moons. Riverine flooding is caused by bank overtopping when the flow capacity of rivers is exceeded locally. The rising water levels generally originate from heavy snowmelt or high-intensity rainfall creating soil saturation and large runoff - locally or in upstream catchment areas.
The Cloverfields neighborhood is bisected by the head waters of Cox Creek. The creek has been determined to be tidal as far north as Nichols Manor Road. The drainage area to this portion of the Creek is well in excess of one square mile. These two factors have always created issues along the creek during heavy rainfall events but the issues seem to have been magnified recently by a weather pattern that has made intense rainfall events more commonplace.
The website goes into detail about the history. Before the neighborhood was developed it was primarily farmland. 150 years ago Maryland law stated that drainage of frequently saturated soils was required to create more productive farmland. This is when the public drainage ditches were established. During the 1950-60’s more subdivisions were developed after the construction of the Bay Bridge. At that time the county had no zoning ordinance and no performance standards to regulate the creation of these lots.
The website also gives a summary of county led road improvements made in the past and several projects for 2021. It also explains that the drainage ditch runs through the community on roughly 100 lots so each individual owner is responsible for the maintenance of the portion that runs through their property. Several strategies are suggested to manage the maintenance including removing fallen trees from the drainage ditch and not dumping leaves or yard debris which can cause blockages.
To read more details about the drainage in Cloverfields and mitigation strategies and resources visit https://cloverfieldsdrainage.com If you have additional questions or concerns pertaining to drainage in Cloverfields send them to this address cloverfields-drainage@qac.org. We will announce a town hall event in the near future to address concerns.