News Release
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Contact: Christiana Hanson, 301-491-6265
On Saturday evening, a construction barge carrying an excavator and other equipment broke loose and was held in the Potomac River for a short time. This afternoon, a second barge broke loose as well. Both floated downriver toward Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
The larger barge is currently held in place at the remnants of Dam 3, and the smaller of the two barges has been caught in the hydraulic roller below Dam 4. Contractors are monitoring to ensure that they remain in place.
Both barges are upstream from Harpers Ferry, which alleviates some concern that they could impact area bridges. The bridges between Loudoun County and Maryland remain open. National Park Service and multiple agencies have responded and continue to monitor this situation.
Although the river has crested upstream from the Harpers Ferry area, it is still running at minor flood levels. Water levels are higher than usual in the Potomac after a weekend of persistent rain. At Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, the pedestrian bridge is cleared and locked on both sides for the night, pending lower water levels. [UPDATE: The pedestrian bridge re-opened as of 5/9/22] Visitors to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park should check the park website or social media channels for the status of the pedestrian bridge.
Visitors to C&O Canal National Historical Park should check the park website for information about current conditions and closures. As always, be careful when venturing outdoors. Even now that the rain has passed, water levels in area rivers and streams, including the Potomac River, are still high along the C&O towpath, and trees have fallen across the park. Trails along the river may be impassable or closed. High water may impact low areas of the park, and conditions may change unexpectedly. Be aware of possible debris on the towpath, flooding, washouts, and falling trees.
UPDATE 5/9/22:
The barges are still in place on the remnants of Potomac Dam No. 3 and in the water currents directly adjacent to & below Potomac Dam No. 4. The contractor is on-site, and they will continue to monitor the barges 24/7.
It is likely that as river flows continue to lessen, the smaller barge, currently being held by the water currents at Potomac Dam No. 4 will be released. Contractors are planning for this possibility. We will continue to support the contractor and work with other partners, including the states of Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia, to coordinate plans to secure and remove the barges and equipment from the river as soon as conditions permit safely doing so.
While water levels continue to drop after the rain from this weekend, the removal operation will not occur overnight. This will be a multi-week effort. We ask that members of the public keep their distance from this activity and use caution. In the water, do not approach with other vessels or attempt to board the barges. In areas of the towpath do not cross washouts or high-water areas. High water may continue to impact low areas of the park, and conditions may change unexpectedly. Be aware of possible debris on the towpath, flooding, washouts, and falling trees.
The extent of damages has not been confirmed at this time. NPS staff have not yet been able to complete damage assessments as the river is still at elevated water levels. Once it is safe to do so, NPS staff and the contractor will assess multiple areas where the barges impacted objects and structures along the river. At this time, our priority is to safely ensure that the barges are secure, then we will assess the damage.
UPDATE 5/10/22:
The barges are still in place on the remnants of Potomac Dam No. 3 and in the water currents directly adjacent to & below Potomac Dam No. 4. The contractor is on-site, and they will continue to monitor the barges 24/7.
Equipment has come off the deck of the smaller barge currently held in the water currents at Potomac Dam No. 4. This includes a mini-excavator, sand sacks, a cement and a lime pallet, a 20-foot gangway, a mortar mixer, and a variety of hand tools. At present, there is a generator for the spuds still on the barge being held on the deck by the hydraulic hoses.
At this time, contractors are still compiling a detailed inventory of what may still be onboard the larger barge. However, the contractor believes that all the major items (large excavator, crane mats, and majority of other items) appears to still be intact and on the barge.
Coordination with Maryland Department of the Environment has been initiated for potential spill response, waterway impacts, and other implications for equipment and materials that are in the Potomac River. The NPS will continue to support the contractor and work with other partners, including the states of Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia, to coordinate plans to secure and remove the barges and equipment from the river as soon as conditions permit safely doing so.
UPDATE 5/12/22:
Today, the Potomac River flows lessened to a point where the smaller barge, held by the water currents at Potomac Dam No. 4, was able to be safely pulled away from the dam. The contractor used a towable tug and two supporting boats to attach to the barge. The barge was briefly moved to the Maryland side of the river where, thanks to the calmer conditions, the crew was able to secure the generator which remained on the deck. From there, the barge was pulled approximately a half mile down river to a private resident’s river shore on the West Virginia side. The barge is secured with multiple lines at this location and awaiting equipment arrival to disassemble and demobilize.
The contractor is currently developing a plan to recover the equipment that came off the deck of the smaller barge. Coordination with Maryland Department of the Environment has been initiated for potential spill response, waterway impacts, and other implications for equipment and materials that are in the Potomac River.
The larger barge is still in place on the remnants of Potomac Dam No. 3. The contractor is actively developing a recovery plan and remains on-site, continuing to monitor the barges 24/7.
UPDATE 6/14/22:
Contractors have finalized a plan and will initiate recovery operations to remove the larger barge currently in place on the remnants of Potomac Dam No. 3 beginning this week. The contractor estimates that it will take at least four weeks to remove the barge. Removal efforts are weather dependent and may be delayed or prolonged by rain or flooding.
The smaller barge, previously held by the water currents at Potomac Dam No. 4, was safely pulled away from the dam on May 12 and has been completely removed from the river. The excavator and other smaller equipment that came off the deck of the smaller barge are visible with the water levels down. The contractor is currently developing a plan to recover the equipment that came off the deck of the smaller barge.
To ensure public safety during the removal of the larger barge, signed closures will be in place during the retrieval process. The Potomac Street Extension/Armory Canal Trail will be closed to the public at the trail's south end (gated), and access to Potomac Street off Bakerton Road will be closed to the public. All river users are recommended to stay as far to the Maryland shore (referred to as river left when looking downstream) as possible to avoid this area. Please do not approach with other vessels or attempt to board the barges.
Where did the barges come from?
Both barges are related to construction at McMahon’s Mill where the park is working to rehabilitate a historic stone retaining wall and stabilize the towpath along a 0.9-mile stretch between McMahons Mill (mile 88) and Lock 42 (mile 89) in Williamsport, Maryland. The barges are loaded with stones and equipment to shore up the C&O Canal Towpath along the Potomac River near McMahon’s Mill, approximately three miles north of Dam 4.
How big are the barges?
One is 120 feet x 40 feet (the larger barge at Dam 3) and the other is 60 feet x 50 feet (the smaller barge at Dam 4).
Last updated: June 14, 2022