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

Inlet Locks

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Inlet Locks Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 20, 2019

1. Inlet Locks Marker

Inscription. Seven dams and one steam pump were built along the river to funnel water into the canal. In times of drought or low water, usually during the height of summer, river levels dropped dramatically. The canal could not get enough water from the river and the boat traffic would stop. This caused a loss of revenue for the canal company and the loss of a living for boat captains.

As a young man, George Washington surveyed the Potomac Valley and discovered its riches. Part of the Patowmack Canal, which he championed, ran from here to the Abner Cloud House at mile 3.1.

Dam 1, at Little Falls, diverted water to this inlet lock, water the canal from Lock 5 to Georgetown.

Inlet Lock
Dams and inlet locks were the engineering devices used to provide water for the canal.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series list.

Location. 38° 56.366′ N, 77° 7.305′ W. Marker is in Bethesda, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Chesapeake

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and Ohio Canal Towpath, on the right when traveling south. The marker is nearest to C&O Canal Lock 5. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6104 Ridge Road, Bethesda MD 20816, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, Northwest 4 (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Georgetown Branch Railroad (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lockhouse 6 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Auxiliary Battery (approx. 0.4 miles away in Virginia); Fort Marcy (approx. 0.4 miles away in Virginia); Fort Marcy, Virginia (approx. 0.4 miles away in Virginia); The Dalecarlia Tunnel (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chestnut Blight (approx. half a mile away in District of Columbia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bethesda.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 20, 2019

2. Inlet Locks Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 250 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.