Park Project Page

Current Projects

 

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

 
Georgetown Projects Timeline
Timeline of Georgetown Projects

NPS

Georgetown Construction Projects

Learn about all of the upcoming projects in the Georgetown section of C&O Canal NHP.
 
An asphalt roadway with severe erosion and surface damages
2019 Existing erosion of roadway at Fletchers Cove Access Road. The completion of the repair work will improve safety and restore the sustainability of the roadway.

NPS | Joe Reed, Park Engineer

Repairs to Fletchers Cove Access Road

During a 2019 flash flood rainfall event, the existing stormwater drainage system was overcome, causing damage to National Park Service infrastructure. This project will repair stormwater drainage features (swales, pipes, drainage channels, and underdrain systems), stabilize bridges and roadways supporting traffic along the access road to the lower Fletchers Cove Parking Lot, and repave damaged road surfaces.

Learn more about the project on our Repairs to Fletchers Cove Access Road project page.
 
A dry-stacked stone wall runs along the right side of the image with the river parallel to it on the left side
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.

 
A dewatered canal prism with a small stream of remaining water running through the middle and trees in the background
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)

 
A large, dry-laid stone wall supporting a road above it with the grassy canal prism in the foreground
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.

 
A body of water lays before masonry ruins left from a culvert and bridge that washed out.
The remnants of Culvert 82 over Little Catoctin Creek that will be spanned by a new bridge as part of this project.

NPS | Susannah Noppenberger, Park Engineer

Replacement of Culvert 82 Bridge

The park plans to replace the bridge over the remnants of Culvert 82 (mile 51.51) at Little Catoctin Creek. The previous bridge was washed out during a flash flood event in May 2018 . A temporary low water crossing bridge was installed by the National Park Service (NPS) in 2019. This temporary bridge will remain open as the detour route for the duration of this project. At the conclusion of the project, the temporary bridge will be removed.

Learn more about the project on our Replacement of Culvert 82 Bridge project page.

 

Allegany County, MD (Mile 136-184.5)

 
Newly resurfaced towpath at the Monocacy Aqueduct (MM 42.2)
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.
 
A concrete and wood vehicle bridge crosses the grassy canal prism
The existing bridge at Fifteen Mile Creek that is to be replaced as part of this project.

NPS | Joe Reed, Park Engineer

Replace Edwards Ferry, Dargan, & Fifteen Mile Creek Bridges

The park plans to replace three public vehicle bridges at Edwards Ferry Boat Ramp (mile 30.8), Dargan Bend Recreation Area (mile 64.9), and Fifteen Mile Creek Campground (mile 140.8). Both bridges at Dargan Bend and Fifteen Mile Creek show signs of deterioration and have reached the end of their service life. As a reminder, users should abide by any posted load restrictions when crossing any bridges in the park. At Edwards Ferry, the temporary bridge, previously installed as an interim repair measure, will be removed and replaced with a permanent structure during this project.

Learn more about the project on our Replace Edwards Ferry, Dargan, and Fifteen Mile Creek Bridges project page.

 

Recently Completed

 
A birds-eye view of a boardwalk pathway coming from the Paw Paw Tunnel.
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

Complete!

Learn more about the project on aur Paw Paw Tunnel Rock Scaling and Pinning Project page.
 
A pathway running between a river and a stone cliff
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.

 
A red stone aqueduct spanning a creek with one failed arch and a bridge replacing it.
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.

Last updated: November 29, 2023

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Contact Info

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142 W. Potomac St.
Williamsport, MD 21795

Phone:

301-739-4200

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