News Release

Lowering of water levels in Cushwa Basin

Date: October 20, 2020
Contact: Christiana Hanson, 301-491-6265

Williamsport, MD — Weather permitting, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park will lower water levels in the Cushwa Basin in Williamsport the week of October 20 for the winter months. The park will lower the water levels to prevent freeze thaw damage to the newly restored Conococheague Aqueduct and to facilitate inspection and any necessary repairs to the aqueduct.

Park staff will use existing structures on the canal, including outlets that drain the water into the nearby Potomac River, to lower the water level. While the aqueduct will be fully dewatered, the basin water levels will not be drained entirely, leaving substantial water in the basin and canal for wildlife. Visitors are welcome to observe this drawdown.

The seasonal drawdowns and re-watering are part of the park’s normal operations and are dependent on the weather. Dates and times of the drawdown and the return to normal water levels may fluctuate.