Management Category Description

The Difficult Run watershed is highly diverse in land use and biological condition and, as such, requires an equally diverse approach in its management. Rocky Run and Captain Hickory Run are designated as protection areas due to their high biological and habitat quality. Although the south fork of Rocky Branch received a high rating overall and is similarly designated as a Watershed Protection Area, its poor habitat condition suggests the need for active management that focuses on restoration of instream habitat quality and the development of effective stormwater controls that minimize further degradation. Further study is also needed in the Rocky Run subwatershed to identify and mitigate the factors responsible for the poor condition of its benthic community.