Environmental Services, INC.

Raven Rock Creek originates in the Blue Ridge Highlands between South Mountain and the Catoctin Mountains, has a 3.5 square mile drainage area and is a tributary to Antietam Creek. It drops from the highlands and flows to the west through Raven Rock Hollow. The design consisted of the removal of a dam, which was built prior to 1900, and the installation of boulder A-vanes with step pools to allow native brook trout to migrate up stream to spawn.

The project was divided into three phases: assessment, design, and construction. ESI worked with US Fish & Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to provide fish passage for and to allow water to be diverted to an adjacent reservoir when needed. Project design was based on the existing channel topography using fluvial geomorphologic principles. The construction phase was started in September 2007 and was completed in 15 days.