Cecil County to Host Public Information Session on Conowingo Dam Sediment Pollution and Environmental Impact
Cecil County Government will host an environmental information session to raise public awareness about the large volumes of sediment pollution residing behind the Conowingo Dam—an issue that poses a significant threat to the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
The Cecil County Conowingo Dam Environmental Information Session will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Cecil County Administration Building, located at 200 Chesapeake Blvd, Elkton, MD. Virtual options will be available.
Presentations will be given by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and Cecil County Government. Officials will provide updates on the current situation, sediment management efforts, and opportunities for federal, state, and local collaboration.
“Cecil County is holding the meeting to bring awareness to the public of activities investigating and involving the large sediment pollution residing behind the Conowingo Dam that is a major threat to the Chesapeake Bay,” said Queen Anne’s County Commissioner Patrick McLaughlin. “While this is just an informational Town Hall, it’s been a long time coming — and it wouldn’t have gotten this far without some real champions leading the way.”
Commissioner McLaughlin extended thanks to Kent County Commissioner Ronnie Fithian and Chip MacLeod for their years of leadership and dedication to this issue, along with Cecil County Commissioner Bob Meffley and his fellow Queen Anne’s County Commissioners, who have been instrumental in pushing for action over the last decade.
During periods of heavy rainfall, sediment released from behind the Conowingo Dam often makes its way downstream to Queen Anne’s County, where it can wreak havoc on the livelihoods of local watermen. These surges of pollution threaten oyster beds, smother critical underwater grasses, and disrupt ongoing oyster recovery projects—many of which are essential to improving water quality and supporting the Bay’s delicate ecosystem.
In December 2024, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners adopted a resolution in support of a comprehensive Upper Chesapeake Bay Sediment Management Plan, calling for dredging operations behind the Conowingo Dam to mitigate the environmental harm caused by sediment overload. The resolution emphasizes that the Susquehanna River, which feeds into the Conowingo Reservoir, is the largest single source of pollution loading to the Chesapeake Bay in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment.
The resolution also highlights that Conowingo Reservoir has reached “dynamic equilibrium,” meaning that it no longer traps sediment and pollution effectively, resulting in unchecked discharge into the Bay—especially during major storm events. The plan calls for dredging, innovative reuse of sediments, and continued state and federal support to ensure the success of Bay restoration efforts.
Commissioner McLaughlin noted, “This issue affects all of us in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It’s time for meaningful solutions that protect the environment, support local economies, and honor the years of work by countless local leaders. We hope this session will help move the conversation forward.”
You can watch the meeting live from Cecil County Government in person at 200 Chesapeake Blvd, Elkton, MD. Queen Anne’s County Television will also broadcast the meeting on Queen Anne’s County Television the following day, search @QACTV on social media or visit www.qac.org