Hickey Run facts for kids

Hickey Run is a small stream that flows into the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C.. A stream that flows into a larger river is called a tributary.

The Journey of Hickey Run

Hickey Run starts in the Langdon area of Northeast Washington. Long ago, the stream's beginning, called its headwaters, was above ground. Today, much of this part of the stream flows through underground pipes.

You can see Hickey Run south of New York Avenue. It flows through the United States National Arboretum. From there, it continues for about 1 mile (1.6 km) to the Anacostia River. The Anacostia River then flows into the Potomac River, which eventually reaches the Chesapeake Bay.

The area of land that drains water into Hickey Run is called its watershed. This watershed covers about 2.08 square miles (5.4 square kilometers).

In the 1800s, before many buildings were constructed, Hickey Run had a main stream and 15 smaller streams flowing into it. These streams together stretched over 5 miles (8 km). Now, due to city growth, there are 6 smaller streams and the main stream. Their total length is about 2.3 miles (3.7 km).

Keeping Hickey Run Clean

Hickey Run flows through a very built-up area. Because of this, its water quality is not very good. When cities grow, more land is covered by hard surfaces like roads and buildings. These are called impervious surfaces.

When it rains, water cannot soak into these hard surfaces. Instead, it runs off quickly, picking up pollution. This dirty water, called urban runoff or stormwater, flows into Hickey Run. It carries things like oil, grease, and bacteria.

The D.C. Department of the Environment is working to improve Hickey Run. They regularly check the water quality. They also teach people about how to keep the stream clean. There are plans to restore parts of the stream. Other groups like the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership, the National Arboretum, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service are also helping. They all want to make Hickey Run healthier.