Watts Branch is the largest tributary to the tidal Anacostia River. Watts Branch watershed is 3.75 square miles with 47 percent of the area in the District, and 53 percent in Princes George’s County, Maryland. The total length of Watts Branch is approximately four miles, sectioned into Lower Watts Branch (one mile), Upper Watts Branch (two miles), and Maryland’s segment (one mile).
Watts Branch was included in the District’s 1996, 1998, and 2002 Section 303(d) list of impaired waters for total suspended solids (TSS) due to excessive channel erosion resulting in degraded aquatic habitat.
The following total maximum daily load (TMDL) for TSS in Watts Branch was approved on December 19, 2003.
Below is the final TMDL for TSS in Watts Branch in addition to decision rationale from EPA.
