Back River (Maryland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Back River |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| City | Essex |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Rosedale 39°18′27″N 76°31′10″W / 39.3076074°N 76.519408°W |
| River mouth | Chesapeake Bay Edgemere 0 ft (0 m) 39°14′37″N 76°24′01″W / 39.2437193°N 76.4002369°W |
| Length | 9 mi (14 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 61 sq mi (160 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Back River is a tidal estuary in Baltimore County, Maryland, located about 2 miles (3 km) east of the city of Baltimore. The estuary extends from the community of Rosedale, southeast for about 8.8 miles (14.2 km) to the Chesapeake Bay. The watershed area is 39,075 acres (15,813 ha) and includes Essex Skypark Airport and the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Water quality
Back River is in a highly urbanized area and is subject to extensive urban runoff and other forms of water pollution. The Maryland Department of the Environment has listed water quality impairments in the mainstem river for chlordane (a pesticide), and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). The Herring Run tributary is listed as impaired due to high levels of bacteria. The Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management (DEPRM) has classified Bread and Cheese Creek as having a “Very High Priority” for stormwater management actions, due to the large amount of trash and sediment found in it. The county recommends implementing a number of remedial activities to control urban runoff pollution, including "downspout disconnection, storm drain marking, buffer improvement, alley retrofit, street sweeping, tree planting and public education."
Tributaries
The Back River watershed consists of 73 miles (117 km) of streams in Baltimore County and Baltimore City.
- Armistead Run
- Biddison Run
- Bread and Cheese Creek
- Brien’s Run
- Chinquapin Run
- Deep Creek
- Duck Creek
- Herring Run
- Moore’s Run
- Northeast Creek
- Redhouse Run
- Stemmers Run
- Tiffany Run
