Catoctin Mountain Park
Protected headwaters promote pristine water resources
Big Hunting Creek provides recreational opportunities.
Photo: NPS
Streams of excellent quality are an important natural component of Catoctin Mountain Park. The headwaters of Big Hunting Creek and Owens Creek are highly valued for their native populations of brook trout 
, natural beauty, and superior water quality 
. Streams also provide habitat for diverse macroinvertebrate communities 
. The future integrity of water resources is threatened by inputs of sediment 
, pesticides 
, and nutrients 
from residential 
and agricultural 
development and logging 
adjacent to the park.
, natural beauty, and superior water quality . Streams also provide habitat for diverse macroinvertebrate communities . The future integrity of water resources is threatened by inputs of sediment , pesticides , and nutrients from residential and agricultural development and logging adjacent to the park.Deer overgrazing degrades forest condition
The deer browse-line is clearly shown by the lack of understory in this park forest.
Photo: Scott Bates, NPS
White-tailed deer 
are a natural component of this forest ecosystem, but overstocked populations can have negative effects on forest regeneration. Deer grazing 
can greatly reduce the number of seedlings and saplings 
in the forest, thus altering the natural patterns of forest succession and providing new opportunities for non-native invasive plant species 
to move into the forest.
are a natural component of this forest ecosystem, but overstocked populations can have negative effects on forest regeneration. Deer grazing can greatly reduce the number of seedlings and saplings in the forest, thus altering the natural patterns of forest succession and providing new opportunities for non-native invasive plant species to move into the forest.