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Work Alert, local detour in place near the Potomac Aqueduct on the Capital Crescent Trail. See the map and learn more about the Potomac River Tunnel | DC Water.
Work Alert, DC Water is conducting repairs to the Potomac Interceptor near Little Falls. Information can be found on their website: Potomac Interceptor | DC Water
Open, Parking lot & towpath. Visitors may experience short delays on the towpath as equipment is moved. Please respect signs and flaggers.
Work Alert, DC Water is managing a sanitary sewer overflow from the Potomac Interceptor near Lock 10. Visitors in the Lock 10 area may notice odors from the overflow. Information can be found on their website: Potomac Interceptor Collapse | DC Water
DC Water has continued to progress its designs for necessary repair and rehabilitation work on the Potomac Interceptor sewer system. Based on recent system condition inspections and advances in technological applications available to address the pipeline, DC Water is working to adjust its planned repair work to focus on priority sections. Proposed future repair and rehabilitation of various sections of the Potomac Interceptor sewer system within the national park will be reviewed by the NPS and assessed for potential impacts to natural resources, historic properties, and visitor use and enjoyment. As proposed repairs are provided to the NPS, it will be posted on separate project pages on ParkPlanning.nps.gov:
Work Alert, DC Water is conducting repairs to the Potomac Interceptor near Lock 22. Visitors in the Lock 22 area may experience delays on Pennyfield Lock Road. Information can be found on their website: Potomac Interceptor | DC Water
Learn More. For conditions at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, including Maryland Heights.
Detour, Byron Bridge. The stairway at Byron Bridge is closed.Shuttle activated on July 27, 2026. Learn more about the project.
Towpath Below Dargan Bend Boat Ramp (MP 64.4)
Towpath Detour. Due to a washout half a mile below the boat ramp, the pedestrian footbridge has been relocated 100 feet upstream from its original location along the towpath. Follow a designated pathway from the towpath, across the footbridge and stream, and back onto the towpath.
Including Sharpsburg, MD; Downsville, MD; Williamsport, MD
Snyders Landing (MP 76.6)
Open, Boat ramp
Taylors Landing (MP 80.9)
Open, Boat ramp
Big Slackwater Area (MP 84.4)
Open, Boat ramp
Open, Boat dock
Open,Restrooms
McMahons Mill Area (MP 88.1)
Open,Parking lot
High Water Detour - During high water events the towpath between milepost 84.4 and milepost 89.1 may be covered in water. A detour is posted on local roads. Obey closure signs. Learn more.
Several National Park Service Commercial Use Authorization holders have shuttle services available. Reservations, fees, and arrangements must be made directly with those businesses. For more information please call:
River & Trail Outfitters
301-834-9950
river@rivertrail.com www.rivertrail.com/
Changed, towpath access. Access the towpath from Cushwa Basin requires navigating a steep set of stairs or taking gravel rail-trail to crossing. Learn more about Alternate Parking and Towpath Access Points.
Milepost 100–150
Including Clear Spring, MD; Hancock, MD; Little Orleans, MD
Towpath Detour, Miles 106 - 106.8, Detour from the towpath across the canal to Dam No. 5 Road. Follow the shoulder of Dam No. 5 Road on a temporary mulch trail. Use a temporary wooden stairway to rejoin the towpath upstream of the project.
Towpath Detour,The bridge across Polly Pond Creek is closed. Park users should use the signed towpath detour directs them to the Western Maryland Rail Trail, which runs alongside the towpath. To take the detour, leave the towpath at Lock 56 (mile 136.2) using the causeway across the canal. Then, travel about 2 miles along the Western Maryland Rail Trail until you reach the bridge over Lock 55 (mile 134.1).
Well water is generally available in across the park from mid-April (around the 15th) to mid-November (around the 15th).
Since spring 2023, the well water in hiker-biker campsites have been signed non-potable. Water from wells at paid campgrounds remains potable and safe for drinking, cooking, or washing. This change occurred to ensure a more reliable water source for visitors in the park. Due to testing and treatment requirements, the park can maintain potable water in a targeted number of wells in fee campgrounds.Current state of potable water in the park:
Drive-In Campgrounds: Well water within the drive-in campgrounds is potable and treated with iodine - do NOT drink if you have any iodine allergies or if you are on medication for an overactive thyroid. In general, well water is clean and able to be used without additional treatment. However, as a general precaution for wells located in a flood zone, you are advised to boil or treat the water before use for your own protection.
Hiker-Biker Campsites: Non-potable water is available in hiker-biker campsites. Please plan to filter, chemically treat, or boil the water before use for your own protection.
Park Buildings: Visitor Centers, park buildings, and comfort stations water is potable. Water in all these areas is provided by the nearby municipality and does not require drinking water sampling by the park. Please note that the Swains Lock campsite draws on the same municipal water as the Swains Lockhouse and will remain potable.
Winter Well Conditions: Typically around mid-November, water faucets in all camping areas throughout the park are turned off for the season. This gives the pipes a chance to dry out and prevents water inside the pipes from freezing, expanding, and causing the pipes to crack or burst in the cold. Campsites are still open to the public, but visitors should plan to bring their own water supply. Faucets are turned back on in the spring.
Water availability is subject to change. Always bring plenty of water with you as a backup option. Please plan your trip accordingly.
On ►Lock 3 (MM 0.5) - Potable On ►Fletchers Cove - Lower Parking (MM 3.2) - Potable
On ►Fletchers Cove - Upper Parking (MM 3.2) - Potable On ►Lock 5 (MM 5) - Potable
On ►Lock 10 (MM 8.8) - Potable On ►Carderock Recreation Area (MM 10.5) - Potable
On ►Marsden Tract Campground (MM 11.5) - Potable
On ►Anglers Access (MM 12.2) - Potable On ►Great Falls Tavern Restrooms (MM 14.3) - Potable On ►Swains Lockhouse (MM 16.6) - Potable
Off ►Swains Hiker-Biker (MM 16.7) - Potable
Off ►Seneca Creek/Rileys (MM 22.8) - Potable On Horsepen Branch Hiker-Biker (MM 26.1) On Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker (MM 30.5)
On Turtle Run Hiker-Biker (MM 34.4)
On Marble Quarrry Hiker-Biker (MM 38.2)
On Indian Flats Hiker-Biker (MM 42.4)
On Calico Rocks Hiker-Biker (MM 47.7)
On Bald Eagle Island Hiker-Biker (MM 50.3)
On Lock 34 (MM 61.5)
On Huckleberry Hill Hiker-Biker (MM 62.9)
On ►Antietam Creek Campground (MM 69.6) - Potable
On Killiansburg Cave Hiker-Biker (MM 75.4)
On Horseshoe Bend Hiker-Biker (MM 79.7)
On Big Woods Hiker-Biker (MM 82.4)
On Opequon Junction Hiker-Biker (MM 90.8)
On Cumberland Valley Hiker-Biker (MM 95.2)
On ►Cushwa Basin Restrooms (MM 99.7) - Potable
On Jordan Junction Hiker-Biker (MM 101.2)
On Four Locks Picnic Area (MM 108.9)
On North Mountain Hiker-Biker (MM 109.2)
On ►McCoys Ferry Campground (MM 110) - Potable
On Licking Creek Hiker-Biker (MM 116)
On Little Pool Hiker-Biker (MM 120.7)
On White Rock Hiker-Biker (MM 126.5)
On Leopards Mill Hiker-Biker (MM 129.9)
On Cacapon Junction Hiker-Biker (MM 133.6)
On Indigo Neck Hiker-Biker (MM 139.2)
On ►Fifteen Mile Creek Campground (MM 140.9) - Potable On Devils Alley Hiker-Biker (MM 144.5)
On Stickpile Hill Hiker-Biker (MM 149.3)
On Sorrel Ridge Hiker-Biker (MM 154.1)
On Paw Paw Tunnel (MM 155.2)
On ►Paw Paw Campground (MM 156.1) - Potable
On Purslane Run Hiker-Biker (MM 156.9)
On Town Creek Hiker-Biker (MM 162.1)
On Potomac Forks Hiker-Biker (MM 164.8)
On Pigmans Ferry Hiker-Biker (MM 169.1)
On ►Spring Gap Campground (MM 173.3) - Potable
On Irons Mountain Hiker-Biker (MM 175.3)
On Evitts Creek Hiker-Biker (MM 180.1)
On ►Cumberland Visitor Center (MM 184.5) - Potable
The park currently actively manages water levels within two main sections of the lower portions of the canal: between Lock 4 (MP 0.54) and Lock 5/Inlet Lock 1 (MP 5.02) and between Lock 17 (MP 13.99) and Lock 23/Inlet Lock 2 (22.12). Below, the term “watered”* refers to the canal when it is holding water. The term, “de-watered”* refers to the canal when it is not holding water. When de-watered, it can be assumed the water level will not support boating in the canal. *Water levels can change unexpectedly.
Seasonal de-watering: The canal is de-watered each fall as part of the park’s normal preparations for winter. De-watering the canal to prepare for winter is something the C&O Canal Company also did during the canal's operating years! All watered areas of the canal are de-watered to help protect the stone masonry against negative impacts from freezing conditions. Water usually returns to the canal in early spring. It is normal for water levels to fluctuate as the canal is de-watered or re-watered.
Water level fluctuation: A number of factors including construction projects, maintenance activities, and weather may all cause water levels in the lower portions of the canal to vary throughout the year. This can affect a variety of activities throughout these areas.
Last Update: 9/28/2026
Current Status Between Locks 3-4: De-watered
Current Status Between Locks 4-5: De-watered
Current Status Between Locks 5-6: De-watered
Current Status at Widewater: Watered
Current Status Between Locks 17-19: Watered
Current Status Between Locks 19-20: Watered
Current Status Between Locks 20-21: Watered
Current Status Between Locks 21-22: Watered
Current Status Between Locks 22-23: De-watered
Current Status Between Lock 44 - Conococheague Aqueduct: De-watered
Raging Potomac River well above flood stage at Great Falls Overlook, summer 2018
Section A of the Billy Goat Trail often closes due to flooding. Under normal conditions, the trail is closed when the gauge at Little Falls reaches 5 feet and reopens when the gauge falls to 4.8 feet. However, under certain circumstances, the trail may be closed at lower levels. Please call the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center at 301-739-4200 during regular business hours for the latest information on trail closures.
