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Westernport in Allegany County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Working Together for the Community

Westernport Flood Mitigation, Restoration, and Park Development Project

 
 
Working Together for the Community Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 5, 2010
1. Working Together for the Community Marker
Inscription.
Flooding. In 1996, two devastating floods caused catastrophic damage throughout a four county area of Western Maryland. The town of Westernport, located at the confluence of Georges Creek and the Potomac River, was one of the hardest hit by the floods, and one of the first to incorporate non-structural alternatives in their flood recovery efforts.

Phase I. Flood recovery efforts included the purchase and removal of 27 homes located within the floodplain, reconstruction of streambank retaining walls to protect highway infrastructure, repair and relocation of sanitary sewers, and the environmental restoration and re-establishment of the floodplain area for a one mile stretch of Georges Creek in Westernport

Phase II. Westernport Creekside Park was developed in the newly acquired floodplain open space. Participants in the planning process included school students, educators, senior citizens, property owners, businesses, civic organizations, community leaders, and elected officials. The plan for the Greenway Park complements the floodplain restoration work, allows for many educational
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opportunities, and includes areas for passive recreation. The plan itself is conceptual In nature, and provides a long-term vision for use of the Georges Creek floodplain and related community resources.

(sidebar)
Why use no structural alternatives?
• The planting of vegetation along streambanks slows down flow, decreasing erosion and downstream floodpeaks.
• Non-structural alternatives promote the creation of pools and riffles which improve fish habitat.
• Shade provides improved habitat and helps maintain water temperature.
• Restoration efforts using bioengineering methods reduce bank erosion and channel deposition, which significantly reduces maintenance costs.
• Working naturally with the waterway will help the creek to stabilize itself and maintain its banks and channel.

Project Partners. • Town of Westernport • Westernport Elementary School • Saint Peters Elementary School • Westernport Senior Center • Potomac Volunteer Fire Department • Westernport Boy Scouts • American Legion Victory Post 01-55 • Westernport Redman • Allegany County • Maryland Office of Planning • Maryland
Working Together for the Community Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, August 14, 2021
2. Working Together for the Community Marker
The marker has weathered.
DNR, Forestry • Maryland DNR, Program Open Space • Maryland Department of Environment • Maryland DOT, State Highway Administration • (7 additional illegible entries)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural ResourcesNotable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1996.
 
Location. 39° 29.452′ N, 79° 2.555′ W. Marker is in Westernport, Maryland, in Allegany County. Marker is on Main Street (Maryland Route 937) near Ross Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Westernport MD 21562, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Flood of September 1996 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Memoriam (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Don Redman (approx. 0.6 miles away in West Virginia); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away in West Virginia); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away in West Virginia); Mayo and Savage
Dedicated to Those Who Lost Their Homes on This Site in the Flood of September 1996 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 5, 2010
3. Dedicated to Those Who Lost Their Homes on This Site in the Flood of September 1996
Mr. & Mrs. John Armentrout • Mr. & Mrs. George Buckholtz • Mrs. Aleda Collins • Mr. Tom Elliott • Mr. & Mrs. Ellis Friend • Mr. Brent Jackson • Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Markle • Mr. & Mrs. Gene Mayhew • Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Muir • Mr. & Mrs. William Muir • Mr. & Mrs. Richard Nichols • Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Zais.
September 2000
(approx. 0.8 miles away in West Virginia); WWII Veterans Honor Roll (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westernport.
 
Biggs Pavilion and Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 5, 2010
4. Biggs Pavilion and Marker
Creekside Park image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 5, 2010
5. Creekside Park
This view is northwest. The smaller Biggs Pavilion is on the right behind the trees, behind which is the marker.
Entrance to Creekside Park image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 5, 2010
6. Entrance to Creekside Park
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,044 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on July 28, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.   2. submitted on August 14, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.   3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 28, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

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Mar. 29, 2024