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.

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)

Left Abutment of Potomac Dam No. 5, upstream of dam, as Viewed from the Potomac River.
NPS | Professional Services Division – C&O Canal National Historical Park

Potomac Dam No. 5 – Left Abutment Stabilization

The park plans to rehabilitate the Left Abutment of the historic Potomac Dam No. 5 near mile 106.8 of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Clear Spring, Maryland. The projects consist of stabilizing a historic stone dam abutment and associated components

Learn more about the project on our Potomac Dam 5 Left Abutment project page.

Existing Four Locks Boat Ramp, as viewed from the Potomac River.
NPS | Professional Services Division – C&O Canal National Historical Park

The park plans to improve the Four Locks Boating Access near mile marker 108.9 of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Clear Spring, Maryland. Generally, the projects consists of rehabilitating the deteriorated boat ramp structure and increasing accessibility for boaters.

Learn more about the project on our Four Locks Boating Access Improvement project page.

Existing Byron Bridge Stairway 1 — Existing Byron Bridge Stairway Connecting the Byron Bridge Walkway to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath
NPS | Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park - Professional Services Division

Replace Existing Stairway at Byron Bridge

National Park Service (NPS) plans to rehabilitate the existing metal stairway connecting the Goodloe Byron Memorial Footbridge (Byron Bridge) to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park towpath (mile 60.6). The pedestrian walkway over the Potomac River connects Harpers Ferry National Historical Park with the C&O Canal NHP. The stairway and pedestrian walkway also carry the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, and other regional trail systems.

Learn more about the project on our Replace Existing Stairway at Byron Bridge project page.

Allegany County, MD (Mile 136-184.5)

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). 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.

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

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.