"We passed many shallow creekes, but the first we found Navigable for a ship, we called Bolus (Patapsco), for that the clay in many places under the clifts by the high water marke, did grow up in red and white knots as gum out of trees."  - Captain John Smith, 1608

Today ships are a common sight on the Patapsco River, which is home to one of the top ports in the world, the Baltimore Harbor. The shipping channels for this busy port are clearly visible on NOAA charts for the area.

Visit the buoy from Fort Smallwood.

Be sure to check the weather forecast before you head out.

For more information on the history of the area surrounding the Patapsco buoy, please visit:

• Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources

For more in depth analysis please visit data tools.