• Historic Shot of Canal Boat on the Canal

    Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

    National Historical Park DC,MD,WV

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

Did You Know?

Photo C&O Canal mules in 2004.

A mule is a hybrid animal, a mix of a female horse (a mare) and a male donkey (a jack).  Remember, "M" for mom, "M" for mare and "D" for dad, "D" for donkey. Switching the parents will produce a hinny.  The mule is the superior work animal, preferred by canal boat captains on the C&O Canal.