Potomac in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Floods

Photographed By F. Robby, August 25, 2013

1. The Floods Marker

Inscription. Structures such as this stop-lock were designed to divert flood waters from the canal. Wooden planks were dropped in to slots, forming a dam which diverted rushing waters along a stone levee and back into the Potomac.

Although this stop-lock was a local success, the canal as a whole suffered great damage from periodic floods which became more frequent and violent as land was cleared for farms and towns along the Upper Potomac. By World War I, traffic and revenues on the canal had dwindled to a point where it was touch-and-go to continue operations. After violent spring floods wrecked miles of canal and towpath in 1924, the "old ditch" was closed for good in all but the Georgetown area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 38° 59.625′ N, 77° 14.737′ W. Marker is in Potomac, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached from MacArthur Blvd, 1.2 miles west of Falls Road (Route 189). Marker is on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath, about a half mile south of the Great Falls Tavern, and just north of the stop-lock described on the marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854, Potomac MD 20854, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker. Mather Gorge (approx. 0.2 miles away in Virginia); Great Falls Canal and Locks (approx. 0.3 miles away in Virginia); The Company House (approx. 0.3 miles away in Virginia); Fighting Floods (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Geologic Barrier (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Patowmack Canal (approx. 0.4 miles away in Virginia); Matildaville (approx. 0.4 miles away in Virginia); Olmsted Island (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Potomac.

Photographed By F. Robby, August 25, 2013

2. The Floods Marker

The Floods Marker and Stop-Lock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By F. Robby, August 25, 2013

3. The Floods Marker and Stop-Lock

The bridge in the distance spans the stop-lock, also the head end of the scenic Billy Goat Trail along the Potomac River.

Potomac River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By F. Robby, August 25, 2013

4. Potomac River

View of the Potomac River from the canal path, just a few yards north of The Floods marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 356 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 1, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.