The estuary extends from Essex, Maryland, southeast for about 8.8 miles (14.2 km)[1] to the Chesapeake Bay.

The watershed area is 39,075 acres (15,813 ha) and includes Essex Skypark Airport and the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The Maryland Department of the Environment has listed water quality impairments in the mainstem river for chlordane (a pesticide),[3] and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus).

[4] The Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management (DEPRM) has classified Bread and Cheese Creek as having a “Very High Priority” for stormwater management actions, due to the large amount of trash and sediment found in it.

The county recommends implementing a number of remedial activities to control urban runoff pollution, including "downspout disconnection, storm drain marking, buffer improvement, alley retrofit, street sweeping, tree planting and public education.