A walk along the Potomac

May 2, 2026 -- The C&O Canal runs along the Potomac River. The towpath is a 184.5 mile dirt and stone trail that stretches from Georgetown to Cumberland. The Potomac River is one of the most scenic rivers in the eastern US.  Ty and I enjoy scenic walks along the Potomac River near various spots of the canal. Today, we went to Dam 4 (in Sharpsburg). The weather was perfect.

On the towpath

The Big Slackwater

Nature bouquet

Along the shore

A friend along the trail

Pink posies

C& O Canal Dam #4

c. 1832-1835

Spring flowers

Shoreline

Leaves

Ty at the top of the dam

Foot prints in the sand

Full bloom

Squirrel shenanigans 

There are seven dams along the C&O Canal.  Dam 4 is 800 feet long and 20 feet high.  It was built between 1832 and 1835 and created a 3.5-mile long section called Big Slackwater, where boats could navigate the Potomac River directly rather than in a separate canal channel. Confederate forces attempted to damage the dam on June 10, 1861. The dam operates today as a hydro-electric power producer.