Herring Run facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Herring Run |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| District | Baltimore City, Baltimore County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Carney 39°23′52″N 76°32′55″W / 39.39778°N 76.54861°W |
| River mouth | Back River (Maryland) Rosedale 0 ft (0 m) 39°18′27″N 76°31′12″W / 39.30750°N 76.52000°W |
| Length | 11.1 mi (17.9 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Herring Run is a stream, about 11 miles (17.8 km) long, that flows into the Back River. You can find it in Baltimore, Maryland.
Contents
Where is Herring Run Located?
The Herring Run gets its water from an area called a watershed, which is about 31 square miles (80 square km) big. It starts near Towson, Maryland and flows through parts of Baltimore County and Baltimore City. Eventually, it joins the Back River, which then flows into the huge Chesapeake Bay.
Many smaller streams, called tributaries, feed into the Herring Run. These include the Western Branch, Chinquapin Run, Tiffany Run, Armistead Run, Biddison Run, Moores Run, and Redhouse Run. If you add up the length of the main stream and all its tributaries, it's over 41 miles (66 km) long!
Exploring Herring Run Park
Herring Run Park is a large, wooded area in northeast Baltimore. It covers about 375 acres (152 hectares). The Herring Run stream flows through this park for about 2.3 miles (3.7 km). A politician named William Smith lived on land that is now part of the park. He bought the land way back in 1770.
Why is Water Quality Important?
The Maryland Department of the Environment has listed the Herring Run as an "impaired" stream. This means it has too much fecal coliform bacteria, which can make the water unhealthy. Even with these challenges, people are working hard to make the stream's water quality better.
Who Helps Herring Run?
The Herring Run Watershed Association (HRWA) is a group dedicated to taking care of the Herring Run watershed. It started in 1978, first known as the Friends of Northeast Parks and Streams. Now, it's a full nonprofit organization.
The HRWA does many things to help the stream:
- They organize stream cleanups to remove trash.
- They plant trees and other plants along the stream banks.
- They give out rain barrels to help people collect rainwater.
- They teach local residents about how to protect the watershed.
- They create "green jobs" that help the environment.
- They speak up for the stream's needs.
- They even run a nursery that grows native plants for the area.
In 2008, the HRWA finished building the Herring Run Watershed Center. This building is a great example of green construction. It's their main office and a place where they teach people about the environment. It was the first building in Baltimore City to get a "Gold" rating from the United States Green Building Council for its eco-friendly design.
In 2010, the Herring Run Watershed Association joined with four other groups to form a bigger organization called Blue Water Baltimore. Together, they work to protect and restore Baltimore's waterways.
