SCWA began the preliminary steps necessary to apply for a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) grant to restore natural stream flow and reduce stream bank erosion in Sleepy Creek. On June 1st SCWA members were met at the Spriggs Rd. bridge by engineer Ted Hogan from E.O. Restoration to view the site and get survey measurements of the stretch of stream in question. The natural flow of the stream has been thrown off by the footings of the 100 year old cement bridge, causing bank erosion which increases stream sediment and releases the nitrogen and phosphorous that was bound up in the soil. The sediment and nutrient loads end up in the Potomac river and Chesapeake bay, negatively affecting the plants and wildlife that live there. Every four feet, from above the banks on both sides, measurements were taken across the stream  to help get a cross-section of the stream bed depths. Longitudinal measurements were also made to calculate downstream slope. This data will be helpful in putting together a restoration design plan and give us a baseline for where the banks are at this point in time, so we can measure any future erosion. Applying for this NFWF grant has many stages, and this is just the beginning. We will keep you updated on the progress of this project.