Back River Watershed
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| The Back River watershed is located along the southeast side of Baltimore County. |
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| Back River is a tidal river and is home to many waterfront communities and recreational opportunities. The Herring Run is the major tributary stream to the Back River. |
Back River watershed encompasses 73 miles of streams located in urban and suburban portions of southeastern Baltimore County and includes the northeastern quadrant of Baltimore City. Approximately two-thirds of the watershed is located within Baltimore County and includes the stream systems of Herring Run, Red House Run, and Stemmers Run. The watershed is mostly comprised of older, established communities including Rosedale, Overlea, Parkville, Stoneleigh, Loch Raven Village, and portions of Essex.
It is home to numerous marinas and County waterfront parks, including Cox’s Point Park and Rocky Point Park that feature public picnic areas, boat ramps and fishing piers. It is also home to Rocky Point Golf Course and the historic Ballestone Manor House featuring seasonal exhibits, Civil War reenactments, and displays of Early American Art. Also located in this watershed is the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant that treats 180 million gallons of sewage each day for 1.3 million residents of Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
The watershed is currently 70 percent built-out and much of the existing development occurred in the 60s and 70s. Because this development predates current stormwater management regulations, there are limited opportunities for stormwater management controls. Through the Baltimore County Waterway Improvement Program, many water quality retrofit, shoreline enhancement and stream restoration projects have been implemented and many more are planned.
In addition, the County monitors the need for maintenance dredging in the tributaries of Back River. Baltimore County is also working on a waterway debris removal project at the headwaters of Back River to capture trash and debris from the Herring Run and Red House Run watersheds.
Final SWAP is available!
Thank you to all that were involved in the development of the Tidal Back River Small Watershed Action Plan. Hundreds of neighbors attended stakeholder meetings, clean-up events and signed up for action projects including stormdrain marking, rain barrels, rain gardens, Growing Home trees, and recycling. Below is the final plan and the presentations from all of the stakeholder meetings.
Tidal Back River SWAP
- Volume 1 (PDF) outlines the actions identified as part of the strategy
- Volume 2 (PDF) contains the results of the field and GIS data assessments
January 27 Stakeholder Meeting
October 7 Stakeholder Meeting
- SWAP Update (PDF)
July 8 Stakeholder Meeting
- Watersheds: What, Why, How? (PDF)
- Tidal Back River - Watershed Conditions (PDF)
- Back River Restoration and "Let's Talk Trash" (PDF)
Small Watershed Action Plan (SWAP)
A SWAP identifies strategies to bring a small watershed into compliance with water quality criteria. Strategies go beyond traditional government capital projects and include actions in partnership with local watershed associations, citizen awareness campaigns and volunteer activities. Read below a fact sheet on the develop of a SWAP.
- SWAP fact sheet (PDF) describes strategies and actions that could become part of the SWAP report.
The development of a SWAP has been completed for the Upper Back River watershed and will help to guide restoration projects in your neighborhood.
- Volume 1 (PDF) outlines the actions identified as part of the strategy
- Volume 2 (PDF) contains the results of the field and GIS data assessments
Watershed Management Plan
The Back River Watershed Management Plan was completed in January of 1997. The executive summary includes a discussion of the water quality problems and sources of pollution. Strategies for improving the water quality in the watershed are provided, including estimated costs. The executive summary (PDF) is available for download from this web site.
Lower Back River Neck Ecological Study
An ecological resource study of the Lower Back River Neck peninsula is available. The study includes assessments of the plant community, wetlands, wildlife, shoreline, and stream conditions. This study is part of the Back River Neck Rural Legacy program and selected sections may be downloaded. The full report is available in local libraries.
Volunteer Activities
To participate in watershed activities, contact your local watershed association. For the Tidal Back River watershed, contact the Back River Restoration Committee or the Friends of Bread and Cheese Creek. For the portions upstream contact the Herring Run Watershed Association.
Contact Information
Watershed management Program
Phone: 410-887-5683
Fax: 410-887-3510
E-Mail: watersheds@baltimorecountymd.gov
Revised June 3, 2010
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