American River Trails
The
Lower Potomac, Anacostia, Patuxent and Wicomico rivers are among the major
waterways in the region, but hundreds of smaller streams, creeks and rivers
abound providing numerous opportunities for recreational boating.
Anacostia River Watershed
176
square mile area of land encompasses most of the eastern half of the District
of Columbia and large portions of Prince George’s County and Montgomery County
in Maryland. The Anacostia has 13 major tributary creeks and streams many with
their own sub-watershed citizen advocacy groups; it starts near Bladensburg,
MD, and runs for 8.5 miles before meeting the Potomac River at Hains Point in
Washington, DC.
A Watershed is where Water Flows
into a River or other body of water; we
all Live inside a Watershed
Anacostia River Trails and
Port Towns the word is derived from the Nacotchtank Indian
word anaquash; it means village trading center. In the 18th century the
port at Bladensburg, Maryland, was 40 feet deep and served as a major center
for colonial shipping fleets. Today, at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, site of
the old port, the water often measures 3 feet deep or less. In the 18th
century, the Anacostia River flowed through 2,500 acres of tidal wetlands.
Today, less than 150 acres of wetland remain.
Wildlife
the
Anacostia River supports 188 species of birds and nearly 50 species of fish.
Some of the animals you can see in and along the river include: bald eagles,
beavers, white perch, ospreys, striped bass, cormorants, crayfish, herons,
turtles, egrets, otters, herring, red fox, shad, kingfishers, and bullhead
catfish.
Pollution and its Effect
of Fish Species each year, Washington's antiquated
combined sewer system dumps over 2 billion gallons of raw sewage and storm
water directly into the river. Recent efforts have begun to reduce this
overflow volume. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), more than 20,000 tons of trash and debris enter the
Anacostia's waters each year. Between 1989 and 2009, AWS volunteers collected
and removed more than 850 tons of trash from the watershed. Experts estimate
that approximately two-thirds (2⁄3) of brown bullhead catfish in the Anacostia
River have tumors. The bullhead is an environmental indicator species for the
Anacostia.
Explore the Anacostia and
Participate in Our Watershed Management Training Programs
The North Branch
Allegany
County, Western Maryland. Start and End Point: The route begins in Westernport
and ends in Cumberland. Distance: 32 miles.
Upper Potomac River
Washington,
Frederick, and Allegany Maryland + Jefferson County West Virginia. Start and
End Point: The route begins in Shepherdstown, West Virginia and ends in
Cumberland Maryland. Distance: 115 miles.
Middle Potomac River
Located
in Montgomery, Frederick, an Washington Counties. Start and End Point:
Georgetown, Washington D.C. to Williamsport, Maryland. Distance: 92 miles.
The
Potomac River and the Chesapeake and Ohio C&O Canal feature recreational
fishing, biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing and camping.
Lower Potomac River
Prince
Georges, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. 115 miles of the lower Potomac River
from Washington DC to Chesapeake Bay.
Planning
Your Trip assumes
uniquely local dimensions in the places you visit, rooted in the local economy,
history and traditions. TEMA develops personalized
itineraries based
on your preferences; we leverage an in-depth knowledge of your
destinations with superior client service throughout your trip.
For travel in Northern Virginia, Washington DC
and North Carolina your anchors are Richmond, Fredericksburg and Manassas.
Other Southern Maryland
Trails Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties.
The region of Southern Maryland is a peninsula bordered by the Potomac River to
the west and the Chesapeake Bay to the east. Predominantly rural with areas
with dense population and suburban development closer to the Washington D.C.
area. Steep cliffs can be found along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline and along
areas of the Potomac River. Most of the streams, creeks and rivers experience
tidal influences and have brackish water - a mix of fresh and salt water.
Charles County Water
Trails along Mattawoman Creek, the lower Potomac River, Port Tobacco River and
Nanjemoy Creek.
Point Lookout
Water
Trails Point Lookout State Park - the southernmost tip of St. Mary’s County
where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay. The State Park offers a
variety of paddling experiences that range from an hour or two to all-day
excursions with overnight camping options on the Point Lookout peninsula.
Kingfisher Canoe Trail
Prince
Georges County, Anacostia River. Set in a very urban environment, this trail
features some surprisingly natural areas as it passes by the Kenilworth Marsh
and Aquatic Gardens and the National Arboretum. The trail begins at the
Bladensburg public boat ramp and continues down the river to end at the
Anacostia Park boat ramp.
Patuxent River Water Trail
Anne
Arundel, Prince Georges, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. 110 miles
long. Many public parks and launching sites for recreational boating provide
additional access for visitors to enjoy the river’s resources.
Connect with Tema for Potomac River
Itineraries
Knowledge Tourism
tema@arezza.net skype arezza1 arezza.org