The Patapsco River is one of the most important rivers in Maryland. The river flows from Western Maryland thru Liberty Reservoir, Patapsco Valley State Park, and Baltimore Harbor before emptying into the Chesapeake Bay.
The Upper Patapsco River consists of numerous small woodland streams that converge to become the north and south branches of the river.
Once an important spawning habitat for shad and other migratory fish, much of the upper river declined due to centuries of dam construction and other impacts.
In recent decades, restoration projects on the upper Patapsco have removed several obsolete dams that blocked or restricted fish passage.
The North Branch Patapsco feeds into Liberty Reservoir, one of Maryland’s largest man-made impoundments. Below the Liberty Reservoir dam, the river converges with the South Branch and flows through Patapsco Valley State Park.
As the river gains momentum, it passes through historic Ellicott City on its way towards Baltimore.
At Baltimore, the Patapsco River passes thru the Inner Harbor, Baltimore Harbor, and on towards the Chesapeake.
Along its tidal section, the river is joined by Bear, Jones, North Point, Curtis, Stony, Rock, Main, Back, and Bodkin Creeks.