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Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical ParkPhoto of inside of Monocacy Aqueduct.
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Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Floods
Photo of flood of January 1996 at lockhouse six
NPS Photo
The C&O Canal has been damaged by many floods over the years.

The C&O Canal parallels the Potomac River; therefore it has always been susceptible to flooding. Devastation from floods eventually put the canal out of business as a commercial operation. 

 

Flood information

Flood photographs
Photo canal boat exiting lock 20.  

Did You Know?
Most freight boats on the C&O Canal were approximately 95 feet long and 14.5 feet wide while most locks were 100 feet long and 15 feet wide. This left boat captains little margin for error as they steered their boats into the locks, trying to avoid the $5.00 fine for damaging lock masonry.

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Last Updated: July 23, 2006 at 19:46 EST