(The Anacostia, in turn, feeds into the Potomac River and eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean via Chesapeake Bay.)

[2] From its source to the confluence with the Northwest Branch, the creek crosses through the communities of Silver Spring, Wheaton, Takoma Park, Carole Highlands, Chillum and Hyattsville.

In these towns, the banks of the creek are in many stretches maintained as public parkland, with grassy lawns and playing fields.

[6] Non-native introduced species living in Sligo Creek include Faxonius virilis, the virile crayfish.

At the time of the Civil War, Sligo had a toll gate on the 7th Street Pike, an inn and a post office.

[9] Over the years, Sligo Creek has served many purposes for area residents, including powering grist mills and as a drinking water source.

[14] Another prominent folk guitarist, Al Petteway, composed "Sligo Creek" while living in the Takoma Park area.

This Scots-influenced guitar tune was later featured as the theme song of The National Parks, a PBS miniseries directed by Ken Burns.

[15] The creek, where her son and his friends played as children, was part of the inspiration for Katherine Paterson's Newbery Medal award-winning book Bridge to Terabithia.