| Rock Creek (potomac River) |
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Information AboutRock Creek (potomac River) |
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Rock Creek is a free-flowing Tributary of the Potomac River , which empties into the Atlantic Ocean via Chesapeake Bay . The Creek is approximately 33 Mile s (53.1 Km ) long, with a drainage area of about 76.5 Mi&2 (198 Km&2 ). The last quarter mile (402 Meter s) of the creek is affected by tidal activity. The creek rises from a spring near Laytonsville in Montgomery County , Maryland , and joins with the Potomac near Georgetown and the Watergate in Washington, D.C. About 9 miles (14.5 km) of the creek flow though Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., where it is fed by eight small creeks — including Piney Branch, Pinehurst Branch, Broad Branch, Soapstone Branch, and Luzon Branch — and numerous storm sewers. About 21 percent of the creek's Watershed is in Washington, D.C. Total land usage in the watershed is 896 Acres (3.6 km&2) of wetlands or water, 22,272 acres (90 km&2) of residential and commercial areas, 15,488 acres (63 km&2) of forest or grasslands, and 10,304 acres (42 km&2) of agricultural areas. The creek has a fairly steep gradient with rapid changes in elevation. The man made Lake Needwood is located on the creek, north of Rockville . In December 2003 , the National Park Service announced plans to remove or bypass eight fish barriers in the creek, including adding a Fish Ladder to bypass the historic 1905 Peirce Mill Dam, modifying historic Fords , and removing abandoned Sewage lines and fords. The effort is designed to restore American Shad , River Herring , and other migratory fish to the creek and their historic upriver Spawning grounds. TRIBUTARIES OF ROCK CREEK ''In order from the mouth upstream'' In DC:
In Maryland:
SEE ALSO
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