• Historic Shot of Canal Boat on the Canal

    Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

    National Historical Park DC,MD,WV

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »
  • Paw Paw Tunnel Towpath Open

    The rockslide at Paw Paw Tunnel towpath has been cleared. The towpath is now open for hikers and bikers.

  • Georgetown Boat Rides Suspended

    Boat rides at Georgetown are suspended until further notice. For a mule-drawn boat ride please contact Great Falls Tavern.

Monocacy River Boat Ramp Temporarily Closed

Subscribe RSS Icon | What is RSS
Date: October 12, 2010
Contact: Mike Seibert, Chief of Maintenance, 301.714.2239

Dickerson, MD. - The Monocacy River boat ramp will be closed weekdays from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. during the debris removal process at the Monocacy Aqueduct, located in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Recently, maintenance staff cleared debris from the two outer arches of the Monocacy Aqueduct, allowing boats to safely pass from the Monocacy River to the Potomac River. Garcete Construction was awarded the debris removal contract and has begun work to clear the remaining debris. Park staff anticipates more arches will open soon.

During the debris removal process visitors should use care when passing through the work zone and anticipate increased traffic on Mouth of Monocacy Road.For more information, please contact Mike Seibert, Chief of Maintenance Division, at (301) 714-2239.

-NPS-

Did You Know?

Photo upstream entrance Paw Paw Tunnel.

The Paw Paw Tunnel is 3,118 feet long and is lined with almost six million bricks.  The 2/3 mile long tunnel saved the canal builders almost six miles of construction along the Paw Paw bends of the Potomac River.  The project took twelve years to complete.  The tunnel was only wide enough for single lane traffic.