Magothy River facts for kids

The Magothy River is a beautiful waterway in Maryland, United States. It flows for about 12 miles (19.5 km) through Anne Arundel County. This river is a popular spot for boating and enjoying nature. It connects to the famous Chesapeake Bay. The Magothy River is located south of the Patapsco River and north of the Severn River.

You can access the river at two public parks. These are Beachwood Park on the north shore and Spriggs Farm Park on the south shore. Both parks are managed by Anne Arundel County.

About the Magothy River

The Magothy River has two main parts. The part closest to the Chesapeake Bay is called an estuary. This means it's where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water. This tidal part stretches for about 8 miles (13 km). It can be as wide as 2.5 miles (4 km) in some places, like Sillery Bay.

The river's starting point, or source, is a small pond. This pond is located in Chartwell, Maryland. This non-tidal part of the river is about 4 miles (6.4 km) long. Boaters love the Magothy River for its popular anchorage near Dobbins Island.

There is one bridge that crosses the navigable part of the river. It is on Magothy Bridge Road in Pasadena. The upper part of the river, which is not tidal, has a dam. This dam forms Lake Waterford. Some smaller streams that flow into the Magothy come from developed areas. These include parts of Severna Park and Arnold.

River's Name History

The name "Magothy River" has an interesting past. On a map from 1663, it was called "Magoty River." Later, in 1690, it appeared as "Maggotty River."

The name might come from an old Native American phrase. "Mega, pi-meguke" means "a place without trees" or "a wide plain." Another idea is that it comes from an old English word, "maggot." In older times, this word meant a strange idea or a sudden whim.

Magothy River Association

The Magothy River Association (MRA) was started in 1946. This group was formed to protect the river and its surrounding areas. One of their first big actions was to stop the U.S. Naval Academy from building a training base. This base was planned for Sandy Point, which was part of a farm.

Today, the MRA works hard to keep the river healthy. They focus on several important things. These include how land is used around the river and monitoring water quality. They also work on improving fish habitats and planting new trees. Since 1998, volunteer divers have helped restore underwater grasses and oyster habitats. This shows how much people care about the Magothy River.

Water Health of the River

The health of the Magothy River has been a concern in recent years. In 2008, the river received a health rating of 30%. This was a decrease from 42% in 2007 and 65% in 2004.

The river's overall health score is based on three main things:

• Underwater grasses: These are important for fish and other river creatures. In 2008, only 15% of the goal for underwater grass coverage was met.
• Water clarity: This means how clear the water is. Clear water allows sunlight to reach the underwater grasses. In 2008, only 19% of measurements showed enough water clarity for grasses to grow well.
• Dissolved oxygen: This is the amount of oxygen in the water. Fish and other aquatic animals need enough oxygen to breathe. In 2008, 55% of measurements met the goal for dissolved oxygen.

These numbers show that the Magothy River needs continued care to improve its health.

Creeks and Coves

The Magothy River has many smaller streams and coves that flow into it. Most of these smaller waterways have names. This is partly thanks to a project started by the Magothy River Association in 2001.

Some of the major creeks and coves on the north shore include:

• Cockey Creek
• Ross Cove
• Blackhole Creek
• Broad Creek
• Sillery Bay
• Grays Creek
• Tar Cove
• Hunters Harbor

On the south shore, some of the important creeks and coves are:

• Old Man Creek
• Tar Hill Cove
• Cattail Creek
• Cypress Creek
• Dividing Creek
• Mill Creek
• Deep Creek

These smaller waterways add to the beauty and complexity of the Magothy River system.