Chapter 20. Patuxent River
Regulation .01 Patuxent River.LinkCopy Citation
The Patuxent River encompasses all the waters of the Patuxent River and its tributaries westerly of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.15’ N., Long. 76° 25.27’ W., then running 120° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 18.57’ N., Long. 76° 23.97’ W.
Regulation .02 Upper Patuxent River.LinkCopy Citation
The Upper Patuxent River encompasses the area shoreward of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 38.428’ N., Long. 76° 41.642’ W., then running 90° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 38.428’ N., Long. 76° 41.610’ W., then running 193° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 38.377’ N., Long. 76° 41.625’ W., then running 270° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 38.377’ N., Long. 76° 41.657’ W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year. These coordinates are approximately 100 feet downriver and 200 feet upriver of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission pier, and extend approximately 150 feet from the shoreline.
Regulation .03 Patuxent River South Shore.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The Patuxent River south shore areas, with their corresponding speed limits, are set forth in §§B—F of this regulation.
B.
Cuckold Creek.
(1)
Areas.
(a)
All of the waters upstream of a line beginning at a point at or near Lat. 38° 20.988 N., Long. 76° 30.857 W., then running 344° True to a point at or near Lat. 38° 21.257 N., Long. 76° 30.953 W.
(b)
All of the waters enclosed by a line beginning at a point at or near Lat. 38°20.345' N., Long. 76°30.118' W., then running 294° True to a point at or near Lat. 38°20.392' N., Long. 76°30.252' W., then running along the shore to a point at or near Lat. 38°20.580' N., Long. 76°30.200' W., then running 29° True to a point at or near Lat. 38°20.688' N., Long. 76°30.125' W., then running along the shore to a point at or near Lat. 38°20.563' N., Long. 76°30.020' W., then running 116° True to a point defined by Lat. 38°20.518' N., Long. 76°29.905' W., then running 194° True to a point defined by Lat. 38°20.410' N., Long. 76°29.940' W., then running 247° True to a point at or near Lat. 38°20.380' N., Long. 76°30.028' W., then running along the shore to the point of beginning.
(2)
Speed Limits.
(a)
The speed limit for the area described in §B(1)(a) of this regulation is 6 knots Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
(b)
The speed limit for the area described in §B(1)(b) of this regulation is 6 knots Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays during the boating season.
C.
Lewis Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 18.752’ N., Long. 76° 28.607’ W., then running 65° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 18.763’ N., Long. 76° 28.575’ 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.
Mill Creek—St. Mary’s County encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 20.007’ N., Long. 76° 30.345’ W., then running 323° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 20.123’ N., Long. 76° 30.455’ 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.
E.
Town Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 18.987’ N., Long. 76° 28.675’ W., then running 212° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 18.845’ N., Long. 76° 28.788’ W., and running to the head of the creek, including all tributaries. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.
F.
Chalk Point Canal encompasses the entire canal south of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 33.822’ N., Long. 76° 40.797’ W., then running 158° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 33.790’ N., Long. 76° 40.780’ W., and from there to the head of the canal. This area has a minimum wake zone all year.
G.
Sam Abell Cove encompasses the area beginning at a point at the east side of the mouth of Sam Abell Cove, at or near Lat. 38° 19.955’ N., Long. 76° 30.228’ W., then running 299° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 20.007’ N., Long. 76° 30.345’ W., and running to the head of the cove. This area has a 6-knot speed limit on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, all year.
Regulation .04 Patuxent River North Shore.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The Patuxent River north shore areas, with their corresponding speed limits, are set forth in §§B—G of this regulation.
B.
Back Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.503’ N., Long. 76° 27.352’ W., then running 185° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.348’ N., Long. 76° 27.368’ W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.
C.
Mill Creek—Calvert County encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.597’ N., Long. 76° 27.125’ W., then running 103° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.570’ N., Long. 76° 26.980’ W., and running to the head of the creek, including St. Johns Creek. This area excludes Leason Cove, beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.880’ N., Long. 76° 26.245’ W., then running 47° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.923’ N., Long. 76° 26.185’ W. This area has a restricted 6-knot speed limit all year.
D.
Solomons Harbor encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.387’ N., Long. 76° 27.005’ W., then running 189° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.170’ N., Long. 76° 27.048’ W., then running 270° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.170’ N., Long. 76° 27.137’ W., and running upstream to a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.570’ N., Long. 76° 26.980’ W., then running 283° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.597’ N., Long. 76° 27.125’ W., and running along the shore to a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.503’ N., Long. 76° 27.352’ W., then running 185° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.348’ N., Long. 76° 27.368’ W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.
E.
St. Leonard Creek.
(1)
All of the waters of upper St. Leonard’s Creek north of a line beginning at a point on the east shore of St. Leonard’s Creek, at or near Lat. 38° 24.980’ N., Long. 76° 29.103’ W., then running 256° (True) to a point on the west shore of St. Leonard’s Creek, at or near Lat. 38° 24.953’ N., Long. 76° 29.245’ W., and east of a line beginning at a point on the south shore of an unnamed cove of St. Leonard’s Creek, at or near Lat. 38° 25.222’ N., Long. 76° 29.007’ W., then running 346° (True) to a point on the north shore off the unnamed cove, at or near Lat. 38° 25.303’ N., Long. 76° 29.033’ W., and south of a line beginning at a point on the east shore of St. Leonard’s Creek, at or near Lat. 38° 25.437’ N., Long. 76° 29.247’ W., then running 270° (True) to a point on the west shore of St. Leonard’s Creek, at or near Lat. 38°25.437’N., Long. 76° 29.567’ W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.
(2)
All of the waters of lower St. Leonard’s Creek upstream of a line beginning at a point on the shore of Peterson Point at or near Lat. 38°23.341’N., Long. 76°30.370’W., then running 108° (True) to a point on the east shore of St. Leonard’s Creek, at or near Lat. 38°23.226’N., Long. 76°29.928’W., and downstream of a line beginning at a point on the east shore of St. Leonard’s Creek, at or near Lat. 38°24.980’N., Long. 76°29.103’W., then running 256° (True) to a point on the west shore of St. Leonard’s Creek, at or near Lat. 38°24.953’N., Long. 76°29.245’W. This area has a 35-knot daytime and a 25-knot nighttime speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays during the boating season.
F.
Hungerford Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 20.970’ N., Long. 76° 28.238’ W., then running 104° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 20.965’ N., Long. 76° 28.213’ W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has a minimum wake zone all year.
G.
Leason Cove—Calvert County encompasses the area upstream of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.880’ N., Long. 76° 26.245’ W., then running 47° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 19.923’ N., Long. 76° 26.185’ W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.
H.
Upper Island Creek.
(1)
The western Island Creek headwaters encompass the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 25.703’ N., Long. 76° 32.558’ W., then running 90° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 25.703’ N., Long. 76° 32.457’ W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has an idle speed limit for all personal watercraft all year.
(2)
The eastern Island Creek headwaters encompass the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 25.590’ N., Long. 76° 32.152’ W., then running 180° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 25.530’ N., Long. 76° 32.152’ W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has an idle speed limit for all personal watercraft all year.
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 .02 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 March 14, 1994 (21:5 Md. R. 403)
History: Regulation .03B amended effective April 13, 2026 (53:7 Md. R. 326)
History: Regulation .03D amended effective May 27, 2002 (29:10 Md. R. 825)
History: Regulation .03E amended effective March 30, 1992 (19:6 Md. R. 672)
History: Regulation .03F adopted effective March 14, 1994 (21:5 Md. R. 403)
History: Regulation .03G adopted effective May 27, 2002 (29:10 Md. R. 825)
History: Regulation .04 amended effective March 17, 2014 (41:5 Md. R. 342)
History: Regulation .04A amended and F adopted effective June 5, 1995 (22:11 Md. R. 820)
History: Regulation .04A, G adopted effective May 18, 1998 (25:10 Md. R. 745)
History: Regulation .04C, D amended effective August 19, 2002 (29:16 Md. R. 1287)
History: Regulation .04E amended effective August 22, 2011 (38:17 Md. R. 1012)
History: Regulation .04H adopted effective August 2, 2004 (31:15 Md. R. 1185)