High-Resolution Image

Anacostia Watershed, enlarged from the thumbnail map of the state of Maryland shown at upper right. At lower left is the confluence (joining) of the Anacostia River with the Potomac River. Upstream from the confluence, in Prince Georges County, just outside the D.C. border, is the confluence of the Northwest (NW) and Northeast (NE) branches of the Anacostia River. Further upstream, the NE branch has its origins in Brier Ditch, Indian and Beaverdam Creeks, and the Paint Branch and Little Paint Branch tributaries. Also upstream from the NW-NE confluence, the NW branch originates from Sligo Creek on the west side, and the main NW branch, which comes from several tributaries in the NW corner of the Montgomery County part of the watershed, flows down across Colesville, crosses beneath the Beltway (495), entering Prince Georges County, where it flows past the western edge of College Park, finally meeting Sligo Creek in Hyattsville. CHEARS has adopted a 2-mile segment of the NW Branch Anacostia, from a point near where it crosses the county border, near the intersection of New Hamshire Avenue and Piney Branch Road, downstream about a mile past Adelphi Mill (where this photo was taken), and further downstream another mile, across University Avenue near Shoppers Food Warehouse and Adelphi Park, to Lane Manor Park, where the sign in this photo stands. CHEARS Earth Squad will be assessing the needs of this trail, monitoring water quality, setting improvement goals, and drawing the attention of our citizens to the natural beauties there.