Horsepen Creek facts for kids
Horsepen Creek is a small stream in Fairfax County, a busy area in northern Virginia. This creek flows into the big Potomac River, which then empties into the Chesapeake Bay.
Keeping Horsepen Creek Clean
The water in Horsepen Creek is checked regularly by the Environmental Protection Agency, also known as the EPA. They look for tiny germs called fecal coliforms. These germs can show if there's pollution in the water.
Even though Horsepen Creek has some of these germs, the amount is usually not high enough to cause serious problems or make people sick. The EPA has set limits for how many of these germs can be in the water. In summer, there should be less than 200 colony-forming units (CFUs) per 100ml of water. In winter, the limit is 1000 CFUs per 100ml. These limits help keep the creek healthy for everyone.
Helping the Creek's Environment
Horsepen Creek, along with another stream called Sugarland Run, is part of a special area focused on Watershed Restoration. A watershed is like a big bowl where all the rain and water drain into one main stream or river.
Unfortunately, the environment around Horsepen Creek isn't always in great shape. Its condition ranges from fair to very poor. This is because the creek doesn't offer a good home for many animals, both those living in the water like fish and those living on land nearby. Efforts are being made to improve the creek's habitat so that more plants and animals can thrive there.
