Marylanders Test Waters in the Inner Harbor and Patapsco Back River Watershed
BALTIMORE (June 7, 2001) - Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Patapsco and Back River watersheds will be the site of the third annual SECCHI DIP-IN organized by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, Patapsco Back River Tributary Team and Baltimore City Department of Public Works, with support from the Chesapeake Bay Trust. On Sunday, June 10, volunteers from the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, the Maryland Science Center, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the Living Classrooms Foundation, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Patapsco/Back River Tributary Team, Baltimore City and Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, marinas in Baltimore Harbor, Parks and People Foundation, Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway, Captain Seaweed, and watershed organizations will use a SECCHI DISK to measure the water clarity at key locations in the Harbor and watershed.

An eight-inch black and white circular SECCHI DISK will be lowered into the water on a calibrated line until it can no longer be seen. The depth at which the disk disappears is a measure of the transparency and quality of the water. Father Pietro Secchi, scientific advisor to the Pope, used white disks to measure the clarity of water in the Mediterranean in 1865. Results of the tests will be reported at 2 p.m. in the Interpretation Center tent near the Maryland Science Center.

"Water quality is vitally important to the region," said Harford County Executive James M. Harkins, who serves as chair of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. "The Inner Harbor and Chesapeake Bay provide recreational opportunities and natural habitats that contribute to our quality of life, and more than two-thirds of the Baltimore region's citizens get their drinking water from the Baltimore City Municipal Water System."

Visitors to the Interpretation Center will have an opportunity to pinpoint their residence on a large map of Central Maryland's watersheds and discover how their every day activities affect water quality in the region. The Interpretation Center also will offer exhibits, educational materials and activities suitable for all ages. Captain Seaweed will be on hand to greet kids and promote a cleaner Chesapeake Bay. There will be free gifts for children.

This activity will also tie into a statewide effort on that day when other tributary teams will be promoting "wade-ins." At selected beach areas, the tributary teams and their participants will wade into the water until they can no longer see their white sneakers. As with the Secchi disk, the depth of the water at that point is a rough measure of the clarity of the water. This has come to be known as the "Bernie Fowler Index," after former state Senator Bernie Fowler, who for many years has led such a "wade in" in the Patuxent River. He will repeat the activity this year.

The Baltimore Harbor SECCHI DIP-IN is free and open to the public.

"Water quality is something most of us take for granted," said Paul Farragut, Executive Director of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. "BMC is pleased to join with government agencies, nonprofit organizations and volunteers to support this important educational activity."

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