Gunpowder Watershed Facts

The Gunpowder Watershed is a beautiful and interesting place to live, work, or visit.  Explore this page to learn more about the resources and conditions of our watershed.

• The Gunpowder Watershed drains 450 square miles, including portions of Carroll, Harford, and Baltimore counties.  A small part of York County Pennsylvania is also included.

• The Gunpowder River is 53 miles long and has two main branches:  Big Gunpowder Falls and Little Gunpowder Falls.

• Sixty-one percent of the Baltimore metropolitan area's water supply comes from reservoirs located within the watershed.

• Historically, the watershed has bee primarily composed of rural lands.  However, significant development is taking place in many parts, and population is expected to increase by 15% during the period 1990 to 2020.

• Land use in the Gunpowder River sub-basin is agricultural (39%), forested (37%), and developed (23%).  The I-83 corridor and the corridors along Rt. 1 and Rt. 40 are the fastest growing areas.

• GVC's work ot preserve land, protect resources, and promote stewardship will help ensure a healthy future for the watershed and its residents.