Great Falls near Potomac in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Lift Lock
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 10, 1994
1. A Lift Lock Marker
When a river, such as the Potomac, was too swift or shallow for navigation, shippers built canals with lift locks along the river course. The C & O Canal consists of flat stretches of water connected by lift locks. The use of locks enabled the canal to match the rivers gradient.
Water was permitted to flow into, or out of, the lock by opening or closing a paddle at the bottom of each lock gate.
(Inscriptions on the left)
1. A boat heading downstream enters the lock. The mules are unhitched and let downstream.
2. The lock gates are closed.
3. The downstream paddles are opened, water flows out, and the boat is lowered.
4. With water levels equal, mules are hitched, and the lock gates are opened, the boat continues downstream.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series list.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 0.013′ N, 77° 14.905′ W. Marker was near Potomac, Maryland, in Montgomery County.
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Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Great Falls Tavern (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Great Falls Tavern (a few steps from this marker); Washington Aqueduct (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Great Falls (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Creating a National Park (about 400 feet away); A Geologic Barrier (about 700 feet away); Fighting Floods (about 700 feet away); Olmsted Island (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Potomac.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Boats Passing By (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 10, 1994
2. A Lift Lock-C & O Canal
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 10, 1994
3. Canal Boat
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 10, 1994
4. Potomac River at Great Falls
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 10, 1994
5. Potomac River at Great Falls
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 10, 1994
6. Sign at the entrance to C & O Canal National Historical Park
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 727 times since then and 9 times this year. Last updated on March 22, 2022, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 7, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
