- 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.
Authority: Natural Resources Article, §§8-703 and 8-704, Annotated Code of Maryland
Effective date: February 3, 1992 (19:2 Md. R. 153)
Regulation .01 amended effective March 17, 2014 (41:5 Md. R. 342)
Regulation .02B amended effective March 17, 2014 (41:5 Md. R. 342)
Regulation .03 amended effective March 17, 2014 (41:5 Md. R. 342)
Regulation .03A amended effective June 6, 2000 (27:12 Md. R. 1138)
Regulation .03B amended effective May 24, 1993 (20:10 Md. R. 850); April 11, 2005 (32:7 Md. R. 678)
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)
Regulation .03D amended effective May 24, 1993 (20:10 Md. R. 850)
Regulation .03E adopted effective June 5, 1995 (22:11 Md. R. 819)
Regulation .03F adopted effective June 26, 2000 (27:12 Md. R. 1138)
Regulation .04 amended effective March 17, 2014 (41:5 Md. R. 342)
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
Regulation .04B amended effective June 3, 1996 (23:11 Md. R. 809); March 9, 2009 (36:5 Md. R. 422)
Regulation .05 adopted effective August 4, 2025 (52:15 Md. R. 811)