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Visit a section of river between Rock Creek and Alexandria...
Rock Creek
Aqueduct Bridge Site
Roosevelt Island
Arlington National Cemetery
Anacostia River
Alexandria, Va.
Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant
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Immediately below Georgetown Rock Creek joins the Potomac after flowing through Suburban Maryland and Rock Creek Park. Here the river has truly entered its tidal range. At times pushing back against the waters rushing down over Little Falls and at others flowing down as the tide drains toward the Chesapeake, the river takes on a new rhythm. Striped Bass are often caught beneath the area's bridges and even the occasional Blue Crab follows the tides this far from the Chesapeake Bay.
George Washington chose the head of the Potomac River estuary as the site for the nation's capital, calling the river "the centre of the union." Initially a swampy wilderness, the federal city grew slowly during its first century. As commerce on the river increased and populations grew, the Washington we know today replaced the swamp. As navigation to Georgetown grew difficult due to increasing sedimentation, Alexandria became the major port on the river. After World War II, the population increased quickly and spilled over into the adjacent towns and counties. Bridges carried populations back and forth over the river and the river's role in commerce diminished.
Today's dense population causes significant stress on our environment. Efforts are underway to clean up the Anacostia River, Rock Creek and other smaller tributaries that run through our urban neighborhoods. At the same time, many greenways and parks along the river remain. A wealth of migratory birds still pass through each year and many resident species are common in areas like Rock Creek Park and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. In the shadow of the Washington Monument, Osprey are seen gliding over the river and water fowl forage in the wetlands of Roosevelt Island. |
