The watershed area is 20.8 square miles (54 km2) and includes portions of the communities of Spencerville, Cloverly, Fairland, Colesville, White Oak and College Park, Maryland.

[4] Contrasting this, counties that border the watershed's southern-flowing direction (Montgomery and Prince George's), offer the least amount of developed areas.

The Paint Branch tributary stream is classified according to the state of Maryland’s Department of the Environment as Use I and Use III waters.

[5] Thus, in the upper parts of the Paint Branch stream, naturally reproducing brown trout are one of the most significant aquatic species in the community.

[7] The other is part of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System in Prince Georges County and goes from Lake Artemesia to Cherry Hill Road.