Chapter 19. Patapsco River
Regulation .01 Patapsco River.LinkCopy Citation
The Patapsco River encompasses all the waters of the Patapsco River and its tributaries westerly of a line beginning at North Point, at or near Lat. 39° 11.72’ N., Long. 76° 26.52’ W., then running 172° (True) to Bodkin Point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.95’ N., Long. 76° 25.83’ W.
Regulation .02 Upper Patapsco River.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The Upper Patapsco River area, with its corresponding speed limit, is set forth in §B of this regulation.
B.
Middle Branch encompasses the area upstream of a line beginning at, Harbor Hospital at or near Lat. 39° 15.003’ N., Long. 76° 36.702’ W., then running 11° (True) to Ferry Point, at or near Lat. 39° 15.357’ N., Long. 76° 36.610’ W., and running to the head of the branch. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.
Regulation .03 Patapsco River South Shore.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The Patapsco River south shore areas, with their corresponding speed limits, are set forth in §§B—F of this regulation.
B.
Bodkin Creek.
(1)
Wharf Creek and Locust Cove encompass the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.362’ N., Long. 76° 26.678’ W., then running 311° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.445’ N., Long. 76° 26.800’ W., and running to the head of the creeks. This area has a 6-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
(2)
Main Creek:
(a)
The downstream zone encompasses the area west of a line beginning at Orchard Point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.440’ N., Long. 76° 26.800’ W., then running 37° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.593’ N., Long. 76° 26.655’ W., then running 332° (True) to a Spit Point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.657’ N., Long. 76° 26.698’ W., and running upstream to a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.749’ N., Long. 76° 27.244’ W., then running 117° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.658’ N., Long. 76° 27.019’ W. The speed limits shall be:
(i)
6-knots at all times during, the boating season; and
(ii)
6-knots, Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays during the nonboating season.
(b)
The upstream zone encompasses the area west of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.749’ N., Long. 76° 27.244’ W., then running 117° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.658’ N., Long. 76° 27.019’ W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
(3)
Back Creek encompasses the area beginning at Back Creek Point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.983’ N., Long. 76° 26.827’ W., then running 196° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.888’ N., Long. 76° 26.862’ W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has a 6-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
(4)
Bodkin Creek entrance channel encompasses the area beginning at a point at or near Lat. 39° 7.972’ N., Long. 76° 26.333’ W., then running 333° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 7.987’ N., Long. 76° 26.343’ W., then running 60° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 0.045’ N., Long. 76° 26.212’ W., then running 69° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 8.072’ N., Long. 76° 26.123’ W., then running 17° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 8.088’ N., Long. 76° 26.117’ W., then running 45° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 8.158’ N., Long. 76° 26.027’ W., then running 142° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 8.145’ N., Long. 76° 26.013’ W., then running 226° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 8.080’ N., Long. 76° 26.098’ W., then running 198° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 8.060’ N., Long. 76° 26.107’ W., then running 248° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 8.030’ N., Long. 76° 26.203’ W., then running 240° (True) to the point of beginning. This channel has a 6-knot speed limit during the boating season only.
C.
Rock Creek.
(1)
Outer Rock Creek encompasses all of the waters of Rock Creek beginning at a point on the shore at the south side of the entrance, at or near Lat. 39° 9.302’ N., Long. 76° 29.975’ W., then running 347° True to a point on the north shore of the entrance of Rock Creek at or near Lat. 39° 9.547’ N., Long. 76° 30.048’ W., then running upstream to a line beginning at a point on the shore at the N. entrance of Wall Cove, at or near Lat. 39°09.257’N., Long. 76° 30.050’ W., then running 224° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 9.098’ N., Long. 76° 30.246’ W., then running 279° (True) to Water Oak Point, at or near Lat. 39° 9.132’ N., Long. 76° 30.533’ W., then running 329° True to a point on the shore at the N. side of Rock Creek, at or near Lat. 39°09.240’N., Long. 76°30.618’W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays during the boating season.
(2)
Inner Rock Creek encompasses all of the waters of Rock Creek upstream of a line beginning at Water Oak Point, at or near Lat. 39° 9.132’ N., Long. 76° 30.533’ W., then running 329° (True) to a point, at or near the shore at the N. side of Rock Creek, at or near Lat. 39° 9.240’ N., Long. 76° 30.618’ W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit at all times during the boating season.
(3)
Wall Cove and Tar Cove encompasses the area upstream of a line beginning at a point on the shore at the N. entrance of Wall Cove, at or near Lat. 39° 9.257’ N., Long. 76° 30.050’ W., then running 224° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 9.098’ N., Long. 76° 30.246’ W., then running 279° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 9.132’ N., Long. 76° 30.533’ W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit at all times during the boating season.
D.
Stoney Creek.
(1)
The bridge area encompasses the Route 173 bridge from 50 yards northeast of the bridge to a distance 150 yards southwest of the bridge which encompasses the area upstream of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 9.853’ N., Long. 76° 31.560’ W., then running 127° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 9.765’ N., Long. 76° 31.410’ W., and downstream of a line beginning at point, at or near Lat. 39° 9.785’ N., Long. 76° 31.650’ W., then running 127° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 9.668’ N., Long. 76° 31.453’ W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.
(2)
The Upper Stoney Creek encompasses the area upstream of a line beginning 150 yards southwest of the Route 173 bridge, at or near Lat. 39° 9.785’ N., Long. 76° 31.650’ W., then running 127° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 9.668’ N., Long. 76° 31.453’ W. All water from this line to the head of the creek, including Nabbs Creek, has a 6-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
E.
Prohibited Area — Venice Beach. The Venice Beach designated beach area encompasses those waters of the Patapsco River extending 300 feet offshore from a line beginning at the foot of Hill Top Road, at or near Lat. 39° 9.312’ N., Long. 76° 28.290’ W., then running 47° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 9.345’ N., Long. 76° 28.243’ W., then running 134° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 9.330’ N., Long. 76° 28.223’ W., then running 219° (True) to a point on the shore, at or near Lat. 39° 9.292’ N., Long. 76° 28.263’ W.
F.
Cox Creek encompasses the area beginning at the mouth of the Creek on the east shore, at or near Lat. 39° 10.538’ N., Long. 76° 31.388’ W., then running 270° (True) to a point on the west shore, at or near Lat. 39° 10.538’ N., Long. 76° 31.405’ W., and running to the head of the Creek. This area has a:
(1)
35-knot speed limit, sunrise to sunset all year; and
(2)
25-knot speed limit, sunset to sunrise all year.
Regulation .04 Patapsco River North Shore.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The Patapsco River north shore areas, with their corresponding speed limits, are set forth in §§B—E of this regulation.
B.
Bear Creek.
(1)
Upper Bear Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 15.085’ N., Long. 76° 29.320’ W., then running 94° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 15.080’ N., Long. 76° 29.222’ W., then running 193° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 14.875’ N., Long. 76° 29.283’ W., and running to the head of the creek, including all tributaries. This area has a 6-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
(2)
Bullneck Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 14.963’ N., Long. 76° 29.845’ W., then running 190° (True) to a point, or near Lat. 39° 14.815’ N., Long. 76° 29.878’ W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has a 6-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
(3)
Bear Creek Bridges encompasses the area beginning at a point 50 yards downstream of the Penninsula Expressway Bridge, at or near Lat. 39° 14.795’ N., Long. 76° 29.315’ W., then running 294° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 14.890’N., Long. 76° 29.593’ W., and downstream of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 15.085’ N., Long. 76° 29.320’ W., then running 94° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 15.080’ N., Long. 76° 29.222’ W., then running 195° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 14.907’ N., Long. 76° 29.283’ W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.
(4)
Peach Orchard Cove encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 14.398’ N., Long. 76° 29.928’ W., then running 33° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 14.537’ N., Long. 76° 29.813’ W., and running to the head of the Cove. This area has a 6-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
C.
Jones Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 13.192’ N., Long. 76° 27.525’ W., then running 265° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 13.182’ N., Long. 76° 27.660’ W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has a 6-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
D.
North Point Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 13.030’ N., Long. 76° 26.535’ W., then running 331° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 13.145’ N., Long. 76° 26.617’ W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has a 6-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
E.
Northwest Branch encompasses the area beginning at the range light at Fort McHenry, at or near Lat. 39° 15.833’ N., Long. 76° 34.652’ W., then running 96° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 15.803’ N., Long. 76° 34.300’ W., and running to the head of the branch. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.
Regulation .05 Patapsco River — Francis Scott Key Bridge Construction Areas.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The speed limit for the areas described in this regulation is 6 knots at all times.
B.
East Area. The east construction area encompasses all of the waters of the Patapsco River enclosed by a line beginning at a point defined by Lat. 39°12.892' N, Long. 76°31.423' W; then running 321° True to a point defined by Lat. 39°13.276' N, Long. 76°31.827' W; then running 46° True to a point defined by Lat. 39°13.575' N, Long. 76°31.428' W; then running 141° True to a point defined by Lat. 39°13.191' N, Long. 76°31.025' W; then running 226° True to the point of beginning.
C.
West Area. The west construction area encompasses all of the waters of the Patapsco River enclosed by a line beginning at a point defined by Lat. 39°12.574' N, Long. 76°31.828' W; then running 320° True to a point defined by Lat. 39°12.953' N, Long. 76°32.238' W; then running 45° True to a point defined by Lat. 39°13.158' N, Long. 76°31.976' W; then running 141° True to a point defined by Lat. 39°12.773' N, Long. 76°31.572' W; then running 225° True to the point of beginning.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Natural Resources Article, §§8-703 and 8-704, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date: February 3, 1992 (19:2 Md. R. 153)
History: Regulation .01 amended effective March 17, 2014 (41:5 Md. R. 342)
History: Regulation .02B amended effective March 17, 2014 (41:5 Md. R. 342)
History: Regulation .03 amended effective March 17, 2014 (41:5 Md. R. 342)
History: Regulation .03A amended effective June 6, 2000 (27:12 Md. R. 1138)
History: Regulation .03B amended effective May 24, 1993 (20:10 Md. R. 850); April 11, 2005 (32:7 Md. R. 678)
History: Regulation .03C amended effective October 8, 2007 (34:20 Md. R. 1736); March 9, 2009 (36:5 Md. R. 422); October 29, 2012 (39:21 Md. R. 1378)
History: Regulation .03D amended effective May 24, 1993 (20:10 Md. R. 850)
History: Regulation .03E adopted effective June 5, 1995 (22:11 Md. R. 819)
History: Regulation .03F adopted effective June 26, 2000 (27:12 Md. R. 1138)
History: Regulation .04 amended effective March 17, 2014 (41:5 Md. R. 342)
History: Regulation .04B amended as an emergency provision effective April 7, 1995 (22:9 Md. R. 641); emergency status extended at 22:20 Md. R. 1539; emergency status expired April 7, 1996
History: Regulation .04B amended effective June 3, 1996 (23:11 Md. R. 809); March 9, 2009 (36:5 Md. R. 422)
History: Regulation .05 adopted effective August 4, 2025 (52:15 Md. R. 811)