Park Project Page

Current Projects

 

Georgetown, DC and Montgomery County, MD (Mile 0-42)

 

The downstream portion of the drylaid stone retaining wall that is part of the project (towpath at top of wall)

NPS | C&O Canal NHP Engineering Services Team (Reed)

Stabilize Drylaid Stone Wall at Mile Marker 11 (Log Wall)

The park plans to stabilize an approximately 1,015 linear foot long historic drylaid stone wall, which varies in height up to 35 feet tall. The project’s main goals include maintaining the “Towpath Continuity” of the 184.5-mile-long primary trail system in the park; restoring the flow of water within the canal prism; reducing risks to adjacent infrastructure; and performing stabilization (reduction of sediment load) of some limited reaches of the tributaries emptying into the canal within the project area.

Learn more about the project on our Stabilize Drylaid Stone Wall at Mile Marker 11 (Log Wall) project page.

 

Accumulated sediment within the C&O Canal prism upstream of Lock 20 that will be removed as part of this project.

NPS | Engineering Services Team

Rehabilitation of Levels 20, 21, & 22

The project is located between milepost 14.3 (Lock 20) and milepost 22.1 (Lock 23 & Inlet Lock 2). The primary objective of the sediment and debris removal is to improve the hydraulic connectivity of the canal along this reach, referred to as levels 20, 21, and 22.

Over time, sediment and debris have accumulated within the project area to the point where it has disrupted canal water flow and impacted many of the park's critical mission components, such as interpretation, operations, maintenance, environmental, & recreation. The mission areas are expected to be improved after completion of this project. Learn more about the project on our Rehabilitation of Levels 20, 21, and 22 project page.

 

Frederick and Washington County, MD (Mile 42-136)

 

The dry-laid stone wall to be repaired as part of this project.  This wall is located on the berm (north) side of the canal and directly supports public traffic on Harpers Ferry Road.

NPS | Joe Reed, Park Engineer

Repairs to Level 33 Dry-Laid Stone Wall

The park plans to reconstruct a historic dry-laid stone wall on Level 33 of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal just across the Potomac River from Harpers Ferry, WV. This wall is located approximately at Mile Marker 61.5 on the C&O Canal and directly supports public traffic on Harpers Ferry Road. The wall is showing significant signs of instability and stone loss, causing distress on the supported public roadway.

Completion of the project will minimize the probability of future instability and reduce the risk of loss for the cultural & natural resources that are influenced by this substantial engineered feature. Learn more about the project on our Repairs to Level 33 Dry-Laid Stone Wall project page.

 

Allegany County, MD (Mile 136-184.5)

 

An aerial view of the Paw Paw Tunnel boardwalk, following completion of the rock scaling portion of the project

NPS Photo

Paw Paw Tunnel Rock Scaling and Pinning Project

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal) is conducting a rock scaling project along the towpath at the northern or downstream portal of the Paw Paw Tunnel (Mile 155.2).

Go to our Paw Paw Tunnel Rock Scaling and Pinning Project page for more information on the project and its scope.

 

Newly resurfaced section of towpath at the Monocacy Aqueduct in Montgomery County.

NPS Photo

Towpath Resurfacing Project

Visitors will see towpath resurfacing taking place throughout the park over the course of five to ten years. These improvements will create a smoother, safer visit for the park's nearly 5 million annual visitors. For more information and current work areas, please visit our Towpath Resurfacing Project page.

 

Recently Completed

 

A view of the towpath along the McMahons Mill project area

NPS Photo | Joe Reed, Park Engineer

Reconstruct/Stabilize Historic Stone Wall & Towpath McMahons Mill to Lock 42

Complete!
Learn more about the project on our Reconstruct/Stabilize Historic Stone Wall & Towpath McMahons Mill to Lock 42 project page.

 

The pedestrian bridge spanning the Seneca Creek Aqueduct that is to be replaced as part of this project.

NPS | Joe Reed, Park Engineer

Replacement of Pedestrian Bridge at Seneca Creek Aqueduct

Complete!

Learn more about the project on our Replacement of Pedestrian Bridge at Seneca Creek Aqueduct project page.