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Historic Takoma Branch

Takoma Branch: 1910

Historic Water Source - One of the first municipal facilities acquired by the WSSC was the City of Takoma Park's Filtration Plant, pictured in this 1910 photo. The plant took its water from Sligo Creek near Carroll Avenue and was expanded by the WSSC to meet early customer needs in the Silver Spring area.

This is a landuse map of the Anacostia Watershed in 1936. 38% of the watershed was forested compared to 30% today. The predominant land use in the watershed was agriculture.

Anacostia Watershed: 1936

Takoma Branch: 1936

Takoma Branch: 2007

Today most of Takoma Branch is fully developed and the quality of the stream has dramatically decreased. Much of the stream has been straightened and channalized so there is now only 1 mile of stream where there used to be 5 miles.

A channalized section of Takoma Branch downstream from New Hampshire Avenue.

A fish blockage in Takoma Branch at Chillum Manor Road. Fish can no longer travel the length of the stream.