The
Elk River is a tidal
tributary of the
Chesapeake Bay on the
Eastern Shore of Maryland and on the northern edge of the
Delmarva Peninsula. It is about long. As the most northeastern extension of the Chesapeake Bay
estuary, it has served as one entrance to the
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal since the 19th century. The canal and river now serve as one boundary of the
Elk Neck Peninsula. The river flows through
Cecil County,
Maryland, with its
watershed extending into
New Castle County,
Delaware and
Chester County,
Pennsylvania.
Elkton, the
county seat of Cecil County, is located at its head. Its total watershed area is (including the
Bohemia River), with of open water, so its watershed is 15% open water. It is south and east of the
North East River, and north of the
Sassafras River.