Our Rivers
The South, West, and Rhode
Arundel Rivers Federation serves as the watershed organization for three rivers in the southern portion of Anne Arundel County in Maryland. The South, West, and Rhode Rivers are very special places with rich Native American and colonial history and to this day retain strong agricultural and maritime heritage.
Today, the South, West, and Rhode Rivers are treasured for their recreational aspects as a great place for all to boat, kayak, fish, swim, birdwatch, and hike!
The South, West, and Rhode Rivers are brackish water rivers, meaning they are a mix of fresh water and ocean saltwater flowing up the Chesapeake Bay. These brackish rivers, play a vital role in the ecosystem, because they are so productive. In other words, estuaries support an abundance of wildlife.
​Our rivers historically supported large areas of marsh and underwater grass, a vital habitat that we are working every day to restore. Historically, The South, West, and Rhode were important nurseries, where the young of many different species could find protection from larger predators. Unfortunately, development and the resulting stormwater runoff has led to vastly reduced amounts of marsh and underwater grasses in our rivers. They no longer provide the nurseries for wildlife they did in the 1950’s.
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