Description: The paleochannel is an ancient buried underground riverbed with approximately seven billion (7,000,000,000) gallons of water, which extends into the northerly portion of Wicomico County from Dorchester County and which has been nominated by the city council and designated as an area of critical state concern by the Maryland Department of State Planning. The paleochannel extends into Salisbury along its northerly corporate limits, has been mapped and studied in its known portion by the Maryland Geological Survey, provides potable water for the city of Salisbury and is a potentially unlimited source of water for both Salisbury and Wicomico County. Because of its vast potential as a potable abundant water supply, protective measures, in the form of use limitations and review procedures, are necessary to ensure that it is protected from contamination while continual study is done of the paleochannel's recharge areas and its capabilities and limitations. The following district, uses and development standards have been developed based upon this purpose, which is in accord with the findings and recommendations for the paleochannel in the city's adopted metro core comprehensive plan.In addition to two wells located in the paleochannel (known as the "paleo wells"), the city of Salisbury has nine wells located along the banks of the South Prong of the Wicomico River (Beaverdam Creek) from which potable water is obtained. These wells are known as the "park wells."
Service Item Id: 63c6e65c8c9a460db7f4f0c5dab6a36b
Copyright Text: Wicomico County, City of Salisbury, Department of Information Services: GIS Division