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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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The Anacostia watershed drains most of the Maryland suburbs northeast of Washington. The river is short, but heavily populated—and for years, heavily polluted in its lower reaches. Nonetheless, the Anacostia has several important recreational areas. Although the Anacostia (formerly known as the Eastern Branch) has always been an important part of planning for the Nation's Capital, it has not fared well. The river was an essential part of L'Enfant's plan, and other plans as well, but the Anacostia area has long been neglected in favor of more affluent regions to the north and west. Intensive farming cleared forest land, leading to erosion and siltation. By the 1830s, the port of Bladensburg, once one of the East Coast's largest, was closed due to siltation. Land development led to increased erosion and reduced the fish life of the river. Channels were dredged to keep the stream open for navigation and flood control, but that led to further damage of the fisheries. The river itself was a conduit for sewage and refuse of the city until construction of the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant further downstream. The Anacostia continues to suffer the overflows of old combined sewers, which empty into the river during periods of heavy rain. The Anacostia remains, however, an area with great potential for renewal. Restoration efforts have focused on reducing the high levels of pollution from runoff, creating new wetlands, rebuilding stormwater control structures, and improving fish spawning habitats.
Parts of the upper watershed of the Anacostia River are considered important trout fisheries. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources classifies two tributaries, Paint Branch and Northwest Branch in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens—Established in 1912, the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens began as a small exhibit of water lilies along the Anacostia. Today, 12 acres of ponds include rare water plants and plants native to the Washington area. The ponds were created by dams on the Anacostia. The park is one of the least visited sites in Washington-a feature that guarantees solitude and quiet. The site was originally developed by Civil War veteran Walter Shaw, who imported varieties of lilies to show and sell. The federal government purchased the area for a park in 1938, and renamed it Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. It remains the only national park site devoted to water plants. Best seasons for viewing water lilies are in mid-June; for lotus blossoms and tropical plants, from late July to early August.
The gardens are open 7 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Mornings are preferred for viewing night-blooming plants. The area has garden walks on summer weekends and holidays at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Evening walks are scheduled during the summer months.
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, National Capital Parks East, 1900 Anacostia Drive S.E., Washington, DC 20020. Telephone: 202-426-6905. Greenhouse: 202-426-6906.
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