Magothy River Water Trail
The Magothy River Association (MRA) has announced that the Magothy River Water Trail map is now available online through the
MRA website. The water trail map project, funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is unique in several ways. First, the project features 17 video links, which provide wonderful views of the creeks and coves of the Magothy along with hints on what to see and how to navigate through those waterways. A number of the coves are marked as “hidden gems,” as they are hidden from view unless you know where to enter, but are well worth exploring. More video links will be added this year.
Another innovation is the link from the videos to the MRA’s Living History project, a work in progress. MRA is actively recruiting longtime residents of the Magothy River watershed to tell their stories and share their photos of life on the river in the past. An example can be found in the Broad Creek video, with its link to Sybil Looper Chandler’s story of the home she built on the river in the 1950s. Through the Cattail Creek video, viewers can link to Scott Jay’s thoroughly entertaining stories of Severna Park in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Residents with stories that they would like share should contact MRA president Paul Spadaro at
[email protected].
A mileage chart is posted on the map to assist paddlers in determining distances from one point to another. In addition, the map shows marinas as well as the two public parks from which kayaks can be launched: Beachwood Park and Spriggs Farm. Kiosks containing an enlarged version of the map as well as free printed copies have recently been constructed at the two sites by MRA volunteers.
According to Spadaro, “Our goal in creating this innovative water trail map is to create new stewards of the river by enabling them to explore the hidden coves and creeks of the Magothy and discover its beauty. Our hope is that the stewards will protect our river now and in the future.”
Captain John Smith National Historic Trail
The Captain John Smith National Historic Trail, based on the explorer’s map and written accounts of his 1607 exploration of the Bay, is the nation’s first all-water national historic trail. The trail, administered by the National Park Service, connects with 16 National Wildlife Refuges, 12 National-Parks, and three other National Trails. The Chesapeake Conservancy has partnered with the National Park Service to map the trail and provide virtual tours.
Chesapeake Conservancy Resources
Take a
virtual tour of some of the trail’s scenic rivers, scope out the access site you plan to use, or just soak in the beauty from your screen with the perspective of a paddler. 15 sites are currently mapped: the Elk, James, Nanticoke, Northeast, Patapsco, Potomac, Rappahannock, Sassafras, Susquehanna, Susquehanna-West Branch, York, and Werowocomoco Rivers, as well as Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Fones Cliffs on the Rappahannock, and Mallows Bay on the Potomac River.
The Chesapeake Conservancy, National Park Service, and Chesapeake Bay Foundation have developed a free, online
Boater’s Guide to introduce paddlers to the best places to access the trail. Gain practical information about trailheads, trip itineraries, and water conditions interwoven with the historical context of the Chesapeake’s waters. View the guide online or on mobile.
Smart Buoys mark the trail and provide instant information to travelers. See where the buoys are located and find out how to access both historic information and current weather conditions, or download the Smartbuoy App to view the buoy’s real-time information from your smartphone.
Check out the interactive
Chesapeake Photo Tour map, produced by the National Geographic Society, for a visual history tour of the Chesapeake Bay.
Find all of these resources at
chesapeakeconservancy.org.