On the morning of Saturday February 3, 2007, the water of the Takoma Branch was observed to be far more turbid than usual at the point where it meets the Sligo Creek main stem between East West Highway and Riggs Road in Prince George's County. Instead of its average of about 5 units, the turbidity in the Takoma Branch was measured to be over 61 units.

Because it was the weekend, a phone call was made to the Maryland Department of the Environment at 1-866-633-4686 in accordance with the procedures listed on the Friend's of Sligo Creek Report Problems page.

The Takoma Branch on February 3, 2007, at its confluence with the main stem.
Note the difference in water clarity between the main stem and Takoma Branch waters.

Walking upstream, the extreme turbidity was noted along the entire length of the Takoma Branch.

The turbidity was observed all the way to the pipe where the Takoma Branch first emerges from underground,
in the woods behind 6515 Fourth Avenue in Takoma Park.
No obvious source of turbidity was observed near storm drains adjacent to the pipe.

At the headwaters of Takoma Branch in Spring Park, the water flowed clear.

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Update by Mike Smith
Feb 7, 2007

A Maryland Department of the Environment representative, Andy Staley, went out Feb 6 to investigate the incident. The turbidity had ceased by that time and he was unable to find the source of the problem, however Mr. Staley has acquired the plans for the drainage system leading to the pipe behind 6515 Fourth Avenue and he has a good understanding of the system. He is well prepared for the next incident, so if anyone sees similar turbidity in the Takoma Branch please call the MDE and alert them so he can investigate.

When Mr. Staley first went to investigate, there was an unrelated pollution incident occurring just upstream on the Sligo main stem from a nearby storm drain that he was able to call maintenance workers to fix.

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