What can you do at the Potomac River?

Head to the Key Bridge Boathouse for kayaking and paddleboarding. Located in Georgetown on the Potomac River, Key Bridge Boathouse is a great place to go for on-the-water adventures. Rent a kayak, canoe or even a standup paddleboard and make the river your personal playground.

Why is it illegal to swim in the Potomac River?

It is illegal to go swimming in the Great Falls area of the Potomac River, an area also known as Mather Gorge. There are still extremely strong currents under the water that can pull the unaware swimmer down into the river’s depths.

Can you swim in the Potomac River in Virginia?

Still, the goal of some who are dedicated to the river is to make it swimmable and fishable by 2025. “It’s still illegal to swim in any body of water in DC,” Sherard says, “but if it had been legal, there were days it would have been safe to swim in the Anacostia this summer.”

What is the Potomac River famous for?

The Potomac, noted for its beauty, is also rich in historical significance. Mount Vernon, home of George Washington, is on its banks below Washington, D.C. The river’s name derives from “Patawomeck,” as it was recorded by the colonist John Smith in 1608; its origin and meaning are unknown.

Is Washington DC on the water?

Washington DC’s location between the Potomac and Anacostia rivers as they journey past riverfront communities along the Virginia and Maryland shoreline, opens interesting opportunities to see DC from the water. …

How far can you sail up the Potomac?

We called it the “D.C. Commute,” a knock-off name for our 100-mile cruise up the Potomac River to the Nation’s Capital. From the 12 mile wide mouth of the river to the D.C. basin anchorage took our small fleet of sailboats about five days.

Are there sharks in the Potomac River?

Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) TRICK: Yes, their are sharks in the Potomac River! As their name suggests, bull sharks are big and quite aggressive. Just last year, a fisherman caught a 310-pound, 8.6 foot long bull in the river.

Why is the Potomac River so dirty?

Stormwater. In past decades, sewage treatment plants were a major cause of bacterial loads in the river. This kind of pollution frequently affects the Anacostia River and Rock Creek, and can affect the adjacent segment of the Potomac.

Why is the Anacostia River so dirty?

One of the major pollution sources is raw sewage, with a half-billion gallons ending up in the river annually, due to outdated and poor-functioning sewer systems. These discharges contain bacteria at levels thousands of times more toxic than permitted by public health standards.

Are there sharks in Potomac River?

TRICK: Yes, their are sharks in the Potomac River! As their name suggests, bull sharks are big and quite aggressive. Just last year, a fisherman caught a 310-pound, 8.6 foot long bull in the river. Bull sharks are unique in that, though they live mostly in saltwater, they can tolerate freshwater.

Can you eat fish from the Potomac River?

DOEE’s 2016 Fish Consumption Advisory, out today, recommends that residents not consume eel, carp, or striped bass caught in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers “because they are most contaminated by chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),” which over time can increase one’s risk of cancer as well as potentially …

Why is DC Water so bad?

If you think water in the District tastes a little weird, there are good reasons for that: A combination of factors make D.C. water kind of funky. Washington’s drinking water comes from the Potomac. And unlike most cities, chloramine — not chlorine — is used to disinfect it.

What to do on the Potomac River in Arlington VA?

Bring a picnic lunch, Frisbee or a bike and discover beautiful views. This paved trail along the Potomac River is large, wide open and has stunning views of the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and U.S. Capitol running south from Key Bridge to George Washington’s famed estate, Mount Vernon.

Are there any tours of the Potomac River?

The Basics. Visitors to the DC area can experience the Potomac River right from the surface of the water aboard a river cruise. Hop aboard a water taxi, a Washington monuments cruise, a sunset dinner cruise, a DC duck tour, or even a cherry blossom sail in springtime.

What to do at Great Falls of the Potomac?

It’s always a thrill to watch kayakers navigate the Great Falls of the Potomac. Kayaking is especially popular during the summer when the water levels are more manageable. Even then, Great Falls kayaking is only for experts who have the skill and training to navigate the treacherous rapids and falls.

Where is the Potomac River in Washington DC?

Potomac is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, on the banks of the Potomac River. It is effectively a suburb of Washington D.C. and many residents work in Washington.

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