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Allison Harten

Jul 23
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Trust Helps Celebrate the Completion of the Log Wall Stabilization Project

By Explore Your Park, History, News

July 11, 2025, marked the celebration of the completion of the Log Wall, a historic drylaid stone wall, stabilization near the Carderock Recreation Area. This major $11.4M infrastructure project was made possible through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. The stabilization focused on an approximately 1,015 linear foot long historic drylaid stone wall, which varies in height up to 35 feet tall. The wall was originally constructed between 1828 and 1831 and is often referred to as the “Log Wall,” as found in an 1890 Engineer’s Report.

The project began in 2023, following the formation of sinkholes in 2015 and 2016 above the Log Wall. These sinkholes led to the dewatering and sandbagging of the canal to preserve its structural integrity. The resulting damage left a vital section of the towpath at risk of failure, disrupting the park’s continuity and recreational opportunities. Additionally, the sinkholes increased the vulnerability of the Potomac Interceptor Combined Sewer to potential failures. Installed in the 1960s, this sewer system transports approximately 60 million gallons of combined sewage daily beneath the towpath to a treatment facility in Washington, D.C. A failure of the Log Wall could result in a leak or break in the sewer system, potentially releasing 60 million gallons of raw, untreated sewage into the Potomac River, causing widespread catastrophic damage to the ecosystem and human health.

Photo credit: NPS

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Jul 23
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Celebrating National Water Quality Month

By Blog, Nature

As summer heats up, our canal community frequents the Potomac River to cool off and make the most of long, sunny days. Flowing through diverse landscapes and ecosystems, the Potomac River showcases natural wonders such as the rushing Mather Gorge and the languid stretches at Big Slackwater. Just as the river shapes the land, our land use impacts the health and quality of the Potomac. This Water Quality Month, we are highlighting the park’s vital role as a filtration system for the Potomac River, as well as how our choices influence the ecosystems we love.

Photo by Francis Grant-Suttie

The Potomac Conservancy scores the Potomac River’s health a “B” grade due to lingering pollution from urban and agricultural runoff, wastewater, and industrial waste. This marks a significant improvement from the “D” it received in 2011, but there is still room for growth. Runoff, a significant source of pollution, occurs when rainwater travels over surfaces, collecting pollutants before entering the river. Because it doesn’t have one source, runoff pollution can be challenging to manage. Contaminants like bacteria, fertilizers, sediment, trash, and oil find their way into rivers as a result. However, runoff can be reduced by vegetation adjacent to the river, also known as a riparian buffer.

In this case, the C&O Canal National Historical Park acts as a riparian buffer for the majority of the Potomac River’s Maryland border. Since the park’s

establishment, the regrowth of forests and riverside vegetation has helped slow, filter, and store water. The park’s riparian buffer provides incalculable benefits to us, considering that the Potomac supplies nearly 90% of the DC metro area’s drinking water. Without it, safe and clean drinking water would be more costly and time-consuming to produce.

Muddy water flowing into the Potomac River after a high rain event. Photo by John Wolz

Water quality is crucial for the natural resources within the C&O Canal. Plants and wildlife rely on clean water to thrive in ecosystems across the park. By altering our agricultural practices, restoring native ecosystems and trees, and protecting healthy streams, we can help improve the health of the Potomac River and create a safer park for recreation, relaxation, and learning.

Photo by Geoff Patterson

Photo by Nicholas Clements

Jul 17
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Restoring the Gold Mine Forest

By MD, Nature, News

As the largest intact Piedmont forest in Maryland, the Gold Mine Tract in the C&O Canal National Historical Park holds special significance for park visitors and regional conservationists. Situated in the highly developed urban area of Potomac, MD, the 600-acre Gold Mine Tract provides unparalleled access to trails and recreational opportunities. This protected forest is also critical for wildlife species that depend on extensive, interconnected habitat to survive. As such vital areas continue to disappear, wildlife populations, including interior forest birds, begin to decline due to unmet habitat needs.

Photo credit: Francis Grant-Suttie

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Jun 16
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Shaping the Future Through Canal Classrooms

By Canal Classrooms, News, Volunteer

On Wednesday mornings, Eddie Rivas wakes up early, putting on his uniform — tan pants and a bright orange polo shirt. He grabs his hat, backpack, and lunch, and is out the door before 9 am. Surprisingly, Eddie is not headed to school; he is on his way to the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Since 2016, Eddie has been a member of the Canal Classrooms Corps, teaching countless students about the park’s canal system, ecology, and natural history.

Photos by NPS and Trust Staff

The Canal Classrooms program, offered since 2013 and supported by the C&O Canal Trust, currently provides experiential learning opportunities to K-12 students in Montgomery, Washington, and Allegany Counties in Maryland. This is accomplished via STEAM-based curricula (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) taught by the Canal Classrooms Corps (CCC), a cadre of retired teachers, local educators, professionals, and volunteers. To date, over 70,000 students have participated in Canal Classrooms, including many who attend Title 1 schools. Read More

Jun 16
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Make a Difference this Plastic Free July

By Explore Your Park, Nature, Volunteer

What do water bottles, bike parts, snack wrappers, and plastic bags have in common? They all frequently end up as trash in the C&O Canal! To date, the Trust has removed 4,725 pounds of trash and invasive plants from the park with the help of volunteers and corporate partners. As park visitation and discarded trash surges in the summer months, we are challenging visitors and community members to join us in Plastic Free July!

What is Plastic Free July?

Plastic Free July is a global movement to reduce plastic waste. It focuses on sharing solutions to reduce plastic waste in your local community to create a cleaner and healthier world.  It aims to reduce waste globally by the collective actions of many individuals and communities across the world.

Ways to reduce your plastic waste in the park:

  1. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle

Using a reusable water bottle avoids single-use plastic water bottles that often end up as trash in the park. By planning ahead and identifying refill stations, you can help eliminate this plastic waste. Don’t have a reusable water bottle? You can repurpose a glass jar or bottle for your visit.

  1. Pack lunch in a reusable container

If you’re bringing lunch or a snack to the park, consider packing it in a reusable container. This avoids single-use plastics and wrappers that can get easily left behind and create trash.

  1. Choose canned drinks over plastic bottles

Aluminum cans are more easily recycled than plastic bottles. If you’re bringing a bottled drink to the park, consider choosing something a can over a plastic bottle. Remember to pack out your trash and recycle your can!

  1. Bring a reusable bag

Pack your supplies in a backpack, cloth bag, or fanny pack! Avoiding single-use plastic shopping bags on your trip will help reduce trash in the park.

If you are not able to take any of these actions, that’s okay! The most important thing to remember is to pack out any plastic or trash you bring into the park and dispose of it properly at home. By simply not leaving trash in the park, you are playing a critical role in reducing plastic waste in the park.

Looking to go the extra mile? Consider volunteering with the Trust to amplify your impact! We have many opportunities throughout the year to remove trash and invasive species in various locations along the towpath. Last year, our volunteers removed over 20,000 pounds of trash and invasive vegetation. Check out our volunteer opportunities here: https://www.canaltrust.org/programs/volunteer-programs/

Photos by Trust Staff

Jun 02
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Invasive Species Removal at Great Falls Tavern

By Uncategorized

Media Release

May 21
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How to Build a Canal: Engineering in the park

By Explore Your Park, Historic Figure, History, Stories

Photo provided by National Park Service

Building a 184.5 mile canal doesn’t just happen in a day; it requires meticulous planning. Engineers played an essential role in designing, planning, and building the park. With over 1,300 historic structures, a variety of engineers and experts were needed to turn George Washington’s dream into a reality. To unlock the transportation potential of the Potomac River, aqueducts, culverts, locks and lockhouses, a canal prism, the towpath, and more were built. Canal engineers were the masterminds behind the construction and maintenance of such structures.

The Vision of C&O Canal Engineers

United by the goal of connecting the Chesapeake Bay to the Ohio River, C&O Canal engineers brought their expertise and experience to complete the decades-long construction of the canal. Chief Engineer Benjamin Wright was recruited by the Chesapeake and Ohio Company after his success with the Erie Canal. Known as the Father of American Engineering, Wright learned much of his craft from his uncle who helped train him in surveying techniques. He designed plans for many of the historic structures we love today, including the Monocacy Aqueduct, before stepping down as Chief Engineer in 1831, paving the way for another C&O engineer.

Tower Lock at Great Falls. Photo provided by National Park Service

Charles Fisk rose to the title of Chief Engineer in 1837, after joining the project as an assistant engineer almost ten years prior. Fisk is the only C&O Canal engineer who served throughout the entire construction of the C&O Canal and was heavily involved with the construction, maintenance, and operations of dams. A Yale graduate, Fisk was dedicated to creating high-quality, durable structures and continued to reside in Washington, D.C., even after the canal’s completion.

Before the C&O Company began their work on the canal, the Patowmack Company focused on building navigable skirting canals on the Potomac River around some of its formidable rapids. However, this system incurred excessive costs that proved unsustainable, leading to its eventual abandonment. The skirt canals also required engineers, including supervisory engineer Captain George Pointer. Captain Pointer was a formerly enslaved person who worked for the Patowmack Company. He participated in the first project survey of the Potomac River and continued to work for the company even after he bought his freedom. After he retired, Captain Pointer spent the rest of his life living near Lock 6.

Georgetown Preservation Projects. Photo by Trust Staff

Continuing the Legacy

Today, many engineers honor the legacy of Captain George Pointer, Charles Fisk, and Benjamin Wright. As the C&O Canal approaches the 200th anniversary of its groundbreaking, it requires increased care to remain a safe and beautiful space to recreate and preserve the history of our region and our country. National Park Service staff are currently working on engineering projects throughout the park, including stabilizing Dam 5, rehabilitating the towpath, stabilizing Log Wall, and multiple Georgetown preservation projects. These projects help protect and preserve the structures that the canal’s first engineers worked so hard to build, engraving their stories in the continued history of the park.

To view current and recently completed projects, visit: https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/park-project.htm

May 21
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Celebrate National Camping Month!

By Camp, Eat/Drink, Explore Your Park, MD, Nature, Planning Your Visit

Every June, the banks of the Potomac River come alive with chatter and life as the days warm and lengthen towards summer. Attracted by the cool water and abundant foliage, life gathers to enjoy the pleasures of being outdoors – including us humans! We return to the C&O Canal campgrounds to spend our evenings retelling our favorite park stories and planning the next day’s adventures. As we set up tents and build campfires, it’s time for one of our favorite camping activities: dinner. To celebrate National Camping Month this June, we are sharing some of our favorite campfire recipes to try on your next trip to the park.

For those traveling light, these recipe ideas will require minimal equipment. Delicious meals can be easily achieved with just a bit of foil and a few ingredients. A campfire classic, foil packet meals are made by wrapping your ingredients in foil and placing the packet in coals of your fire. Make sure to bring tongs to safely remove and place your packet. Check out these meal ideas!

Foil Packet Recipes:

  • Ham and Cheese: Looking for a breakfast recipe or want breakfast for dinner? Make campfire ham and cheese hash browns! Use precooked, frozen hash browns, ham and some cheddar cheese for this recipe. Add your preferred seasonings and garnishes and wrap it all together. You can even mix in an egg if you want!
  • Banana Boat: Banana boats can be made many ways. With the peel still on, split a banana down the middle without cutting through the other side and leaving the ends intact. Then add your fillings, wrap in foil, and place in the fire to melt! Some filling ideas are chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers; strawberries, Nutella, and hazelnuts; peanut butter and chocolate chips. Let us know your favorite combo!
  • Pizza Cones: Ice cream cones can be the perfect addition to your next campfire. Layer cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni in a sugar cone, wrap, and stick in the fire. Turn this into a dessert by adding chocolate, marshmallows, and strawberries instead.

Forgot your foil? Try these recipes on a stick!

  • Skewers: Almost anything has the potential to be cooked on a stick. Meat cubes, vegetables, and potatoes all get a smoky camp flavor over the fire. For an extra flavor boost, marinate your skewers and keep them in a cooler until it’s time to cook.
  • French Toast: Have extra bread or rolls lying around? Cut your bread into cubes and soak in your regular egg and milk mixture (cinnamon can be a good addition). Place your battered bread on a stick and roast over the fire.
  • Crescent Rolls: Wrap a crescent roll around a stick for a toasty campfire snack! Elevate your crescent roll experience by wrapping your crescent roll around a stick about the same width as a hotdog. Roast a hotdog and place it in your crescent roll for a sandwich!

      • Honorable mention: the Spider dog. Cut an X on each side of your hotdog, leaving room in the middle to place it on your stick. You should have 8 “arms” on your hotdog. Roast your hotdog lengthwise over the fire. The ends of the hotdog should get crispy and curl. Please note: Our staff has reported mixed results with this technique. While delicious and crispy when executed correctly, there is a strong possibility of losing spider arms if the cuts are not made carefully and evenly. Please use caution with this recipe!

Looking for a place to try out these campfire recipes? Visit a hiker-biker campsite, reserve a spot in a campground, or stay in a Canal Quarters lockhouse. Please remember that fires are only allowed in designated fire rings/pits and pack out all of your trash after your stay. It is the responsibility of every park visitor to recreate safely and to protect the park for future adventures

May 21
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Williamsport Canal Community Days 2025

By Canal Community Days, News, Volunteer

Williamsport Cushwa Basin by Beth Sherwood.

Situated at the meeting point of the Potomac River and Conococheague Creek, Williamsport holds a significant place in American and C&O Canal history. Before it was a Canal Town, Williamsport was used as a trading location and transportation hub for groups of Indigenous people.  As European settlers moved westward, they too recognized the area’s potential to move goods east and west on the Potomac, and north to what would become Hagerstown. The growing nation developed Williamsport into a center for commerce and trade, first through the C&O Canal and later via railroads and trolleys. It remained a critical juncture for moving people and goods through World War II, when its prosperity began to decline. Aided by the establishment of the C&O Canal National Historical Park and new highway systems, Williamsport now flourishes as a vital C&O Canal Town and a hub for tourism. Read More

May 21
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A Story of Continued Resilience

By Nature, News

The C&O Canal is a testament to American ingenuity and commitment, withstanding flooding, heavy visitor usage, and the test of time. To keep the park safe, beautiful, and welcoming, it has taken the dedication of National Park Service staff, hundreds of volunteers, donors, and community partners. Recently, from May 14 to 16, the park faced a significant flood event that caused damage and debris due to high waters and strong winds. Many picnic areas, trails, and campgrounds were affected, including a section of the towpath that washed out. While it’s disheartening to witness the park’s damage, this flood event is just one of many from which we have and will recover.

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