The Potomac River

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

Economic Development Entrepreneurs

Tourism Energy Water Transit

Knowledge Tourism

         tema@arezza.net     skype arezza1   arezza.org

Geography Community and Climate Change

Thesis Increased urbanization and mass migrations over the last century are key to understanding human factors in climate change; these are best understood by a careful reading of history and geography in your community. Regions of the Earth that are successfully addressing environmental problems should assist other communities, regardless of their location, set an example and provide knowledge and expertise.

Geography as defined by Halford Mackinder, bridges the gap between arts and science; it connects history and culture with the environment. Man and not nature initiates activities but nature in large measure controls -Fernand Braudel. Those working in harmony with environmental influences will triumph over those who strive against them - WH Parker. Human nature is motivated by fear, self interest and honor – Thucydides.

Sustainable Communities are created by addressing resource protection, climate change, air and water quality and availability, human health and well-being.

  

My Community the Washington DC, Potomac River and Middle Atlantic Region of the United States is characterized by a highly educated and knowledgeable citizenry that is very sensitive to environmental issues and is engaged locally and regionally.

Key Issues Affecting Climate Change

urbanization, traffic gridlock, population increases, community migrations

agricultural runoffs from rivers and tributaries into

Chesapeake Bay and the Maryland Eastern Shore

farming in the outlying Chesapeake region and urban area water quality issues have led to bacteria in the waters, resulting in swimming bans in the bay, rivers and the ocean.

budget limitations  have led to reduced inspection of watersheds, hence less maintenance and increases in storm water failures allowing tens of thousands of pounds of nutrients to enter the waterways.

education there is still a disconnect between the scientific community and the public at large; climate issues are still not part of mainstream thinking and daily life even in socially and economically sophisticated communities.  

Local Solutions to Climate Change Governments at all levels are engineering political solutions:

o   an agreement between EPA and Agricultural Organizations to implement pollution reduction programs aimed at restoring the Bay to health by 2025, and

o   local food production and consumption, a plastic bag tax, green roofs, bike and car sharing programs, light rail and other forms of public transport

Real success in mitigating climate change will be achieved when environmentally sound practices are adopted by a majority of the local population; in democratic societies, this can be achieved when small businesses and entrepreneurs – join government, nonprofit and volunteer groups in this effort.

Issues are taken more seriously when your lively hood depends on it. Hence, information, education and training lead to sustainable wealth creation.

Global Solutions to Climate Change At the dawn of the 20^th Century only 14 percent of the world’s population lived in cities; by 2025, 75 percent will be in urban settings. There are already 468 cities with over a million in population; 40 of these cities have more than 10 million residents.

These circumstances lead to continued economic, social, security, environment and climate problems. Increasingly there is a devolution from supranational and national to regional and local institutions to tackle these issue.

The more fortunate communities have an obligation to share their know-how, expertise and experience in climate change; it is in their interest to do so.

Connect with Tema

and tell us about your community and projects

Local Knowledge – Global Reach

Economic Development Entrepreneurs

Tourism Energy Water Transit

tema@arezza.net  skype arezza1