Bush Creek Subbasin
The Bush Creek Subbasin or watershed is 36 square miles in size and is one of three subbasins within the Bush River Basin along with the Church Creek Subbasin and the Otter Point Creek Subbasin. 33% of the watershed is forested, 40% is developed and 27% of the land is used for agriculture. The tributaries to Bush Creek include Bynum Run approximately 23 square miles and James Run approximately 11 square miles. The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names maintains a database of stream names and is responsible for reviewing/approving requests for name additions and modifications.
Many of these names have historic significance. Situated within the Bush Creek Subbasin is the location of the signing of the Bush Declaration. It is believed to be the first declaration of independence made by a representative body in America, predating the Declaration of Independence by about a year. In 1775, three days before Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech, a committee of 34 duly elected prominent Harford County citizens met at the old brick tavern at Bush and signed the Bush Declaration. The last few words of the declaration, “at the risque of our lives and fortunes” are used within the Harford County seal.
The Bush Declaration Natural Resources Management Area, located near the signing of this historic document, is over 250 acres in size. The land is owned by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and serves to protect the riparian buffers along Bynum Run and James Run, including an extensive area of wetlands.
The headwaters to Bynum Run begin at Friends Park in Forest Hill, drain past the Rock Spring Shopping Center, continue south past South Hampton Middle School and Bynum Pond, past the Maryland Golf and Country Club and join James Run south of the intersection of MD Routes 7 and 136 at Bush Creek.
|
