Cabin John Creek
Tributary stream of the Potomac River in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cabin John Creek is a tributary stream of the Potomac River in Montgomery County, Maryland. The watershed covers an area of 26 square miles (67 km2). The headwaters of the creek originate in the city of Rockville, and the creek flows southward for 10.9 miles (17.5 km)[2] to the Potomac River.[3]
| Cabin John Creek | |
|---|---|
| |
  Mouth of Cabin John Creek | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| County | Montgomery County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Rockville |
| • coordinates | 39.0759418°N 77.1533132°W |
| Mouth | Potomac River |
• location | Glen Echo |
• coordinates | 38.969833°N 77.146368°W |
• elevation | 56 ft (17 m)[1] |
| Length | 10.9 mi (17.5 km) |
Basin size | 26 sq mi (67 km2) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Potomac River |
History
Early land records in 1715 cite Captain John's Run, now Cabin John Creek. The toponym "Cabin John" is thought to be a corruption of the name "Captain John", but the origin of the name remains unresolved.[4]
Course
The headwaters of the creek originate in the city of Rockville. The Cabin John Stream Valley Trail[5] follows the course of the creek for 8.8 miles (14.2 km), passing through Cabin John Regional Park[6] and Cabin John Local Park.[7] The Union Arch Bridge carries MacArthur Boulevard and the Washington Aqueduct over the stream about 1/4 mile before the creek flows through a culvert under the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and empties into the Potomac River near Cabin John, Maryland.
Water pollution
The Cabin John Creek watershed is highly developed, and as a result the water quality in the creek main stem and several tributaries is degraded.[8] Montgomery County Government is implementing a long-term plan to improve water quality throughout the area, including stormwater management and stream restoration projects.[9] As of 2021 the county has installed restoration projects on the Booze Creek and Buck Branch tributaries.[10][11]