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

MISSING

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Watering the Canal

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 15, 2009

1. Watering the Canal Marker

Inscription. Why are there two locks here? While they may look similar, the two locks played very different roles in the operation of the canal. The lock in front of you is Inlet Lock 2. The lock behind you is Lift Lock 23. Lift locks raised and lowered boats to overcome changes in elevation. Inlet locks controlled the amount of water let into the canal. Dams funneled water to the inlet locks. Dam 2 diverted water from the Potomac River to this inlet lock, watering the canal from Lock 23 all the way to Lock 5 and Dam 1 at Little Falls.

Life and success on the canal depended on water. To ensure a steady supply of water, the canal company built seven dams and a stream pump along the river. In times of drought or low water, usually during the height of summer, river levels could drop dramatically. When the canal could not get enough water from the river, boat traffic stopped. This caused a loss of revenue for the canal company and the loss of a living for the boat captains.

Erected by C&O Canal National Historical Park - National Park Service - 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.

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Marker is missing. It was located near 39° 4.018′ N, 77° 19.728′ W. Marker was near Seneca, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker could be reached from Violette's Lock Road, on the right when traveling south. Located at the Rowser's Ford/Violette's Lock section (mile 22) of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Germantown MD 20874, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this location, measured as the crow flies. Rowser’s Ford (approx. 0.6 miles away); Seneca (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Rowser’s Ford (approx. 0.7 miles away); Washington's Canal (approx. 0.7 miles away in Virginia); Seneca: “Average Man’s Resort” (approx. ¾ mile away); Seneca Creek: “A Raging River” (approx. ¾ mile away); A Veteran’s Life in Montgomery County (approx. 1.1 miles away); Seneca Mills During the Civil War (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seneca.

More about this marker. The background of the marker is a Satellite view of Dam 2, Inlet Lock 2 and Lift Lock 23. Water flows from right to left. To the lower right is a photo of Kate and Alfred Violette who were the last locktenders at Lock 23. Today the area bears their name. On the lower left is a set of illustrations that show

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 15, 2009

2. Watering the Canal Marker

how the locks worked to aid the passage of canal boats.

Also see . . . Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. National Park Service site. (Submitted on August 30, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 15, 2009

3. Lock #23

Looking to the upstream end of the lock.

Downstream Entrance to the Lock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 15, 2009

4. Downstream Entrance to the Lock

Looking from the towpath at the lock gate. The lock stands several feet taller than the downstream towpath, highlighting the change in elevation at this point.

Lockgates on Lock #23 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 15, 2009

5. Lockgates on Lock #23

Inlet Lock #2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 15, 2009

6. Inlet Lock #2

Looking at the basin of the Inlet Lock, note the closed lock gates.

Inlet Lock #2 Gates image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 15, 2009

7. Inlet Lock #2 Gates

Satellite Photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 15, 2013

8. Satellite Photo

Inlet Lock 2 above and Lift Lock 23 below.
Close-up of photo on the marker

The Violettes image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 15, 2013

9. The Violettes

Kate and Alfred Violette were the last locktenders at Lock 23. Today the area bears their name.
Close-up of photo on the marker

How a Lift Lock Works -- 1 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 15, 2013

10. How a Lift Lock Works -- 1

A boat heading downstream enters the lock. Mules are unhitched and the lock tender closes the upstream gates.
Close-up of picutre on marker

How a Lift Lock Works -- 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 15, 2013

11. How a Lift Lock Works -- 2

The lock tender opens the downstream paddles. Water flows out and the boat is lowered.
close-up of picture on marker

How a Lift Lock Works -- 3 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 15, 2013

12. How a Lift Lock Works -- 3

With water levels equal, the lock tender opens the downstream gates. The mules are hitched and the boat moves on.
Close-up of picture on marker

Two Turtles in the Lock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 15, 2013

13. Two Turtles in the Lock

A pair of Red Bellied Turtles swim in Lift Lock 23.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,294 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 30, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on May 15, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.