Discover the Potomac Gorge: A National Treasure On the outskirts of Washington, D.C., the Potomac River passes through a landscape of surprising beauty and ecological significance. Here, over many millennia, an unusual combination of natural forces has produced a unique corridor known as the Potomac Gorge. This 15-mile river stretch is one of the country’s most biologically diverse areas, home to more than 1,400 plant species. Scientists have identified at least 30 distinct natural vegetation communities, several of which are globally rare and imperiled. The Gorge also supports a rich array of animal life, from rare invertebrates to the bald eagle and fish like the American shad. In total, the Potomac Gorge provides habitat to more than 200 rare plant species and natural communities, making it one of the most important natural areas in the eastern United States. © Gary P. Fleming P. Fleming © Gary © Gary P. Fleming The heart of the Potomac Gorge is also known as Mather Gorge, named This riverside prairie at Great Falls, Virginia, results from periodic river flooding, after Stephen T. Mather, first director of the National Park Service. a natural disturbance that creates and sustains rare habitats. © Gary P. Fleming Fleming P. © Gary Payne © Harvey P. Fleming © Gary LeClere © Jeff © Gary P. Fleming P. Fleming © Gary Flowering dogwood, a native forest understory species in our Specially adapted to withstand river The Potomac Gorge is home to Clinging precariously to the cliff’s edge, Brightly colored in its immature form, a reptile known as the region, is being decimated by an introduced fungal disease. flooding and scouring, rare plants like myriad bird species, from mig- Virginia pine is a characteristic species of five-lined skink is a regular sight in the Potomac Gorge. riverbank goldenrod take root and ratory songbirds to our national the rare bedrock terrace woodland of Great survive in rock crevices. emblem, the bald eagle. Falls and Bear Island. WHAT IS THE POTOMAC GORGE? BE SAFE AND Over thousands of years, natural forces at dangerous rapids known as Great Falls — the of the longest, steepest fall zones on FOLLOW THE PARK RULES work in the Potomac Gorge have created a water level drops 60 feet in a half-mile stretch. the Atlantic slope. Despite its location in deep, narrow valley. Here, rainwater the Washington, D.C. metro region, the • It is unlawful to enter the Potomac River While a fall zone is characteristic of many gathered from an approximately 11,500- Potomac Gorge has one of the and C&O Canal from National Park lands U.S. east coast rivers, the Potomac has one square mile area upstream is funneled continent’s most intact fall zones, for wading, swimming, or bathing. The river through a constricted passageway, where unaffected by major dams and largely is extremely dangerous at all water levels, plants have adapted the ability to survive in unspoiled by riverfront development. especially near dams, falls, and rapids. the face of intense flood scouring. River currents are strong and unpredictable. Large rainstorms and melting snows A crossroads for plants and animals, this upriver regularly produce powerful •Stay on marked trails. Bicycles and area also supports many different habitats, flooding in the Gorge. At times, horses are allowed only on designated including scoured bedrock river terraces, floodwaters rise high enough to wash trails. Check with each park for specific mature upland woods, rich floodplain over the Gorge’s 50–foot cliffs, but even rules before you visit. forests, streams, and wetlands. lesser floods can scour the river’s • Pet owners must keep dogs on leash in It is this diversity of life that makes the ancient bedrock terraces, filling side all park areas and must remove their pets’ Gorge a nationally significant conservation channels and inland ravines. Moreover, waste. Dogs are prohibited on Olmsted area. floods wash away years or decades of Island, Bear Island, and the Billy Goat Trail plant growth, rearrange soils and plants, The Potomac Gorge is located in the “fall Section A. and deposit new sediments and seeds zone,” where the river passes from the in their place. • Damaging, disturbing, collecting, or hard, erosion-resistant bedrock of the removing natural, cultural, archaeological, Piedmont to the softer, sandy deposits of The Potomac Gorge is a dynamic, and paleontological resources is prohibited. the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Over this 15–mile Wiegand © R.H. highly disturbed environment, yet this corridor, the river drops from an elevation The unique geology, geography, and hydrology of the disturbance is a natural process and • Keep off archaeological and historic re- of 140 feet to 10 feet above sea level. At its Potomac Gorge produce its array of rare species and critical to the extraordinary natural sources unless explicitly permitted by parks. steepest point — the fast-flowing, diversity of the Gorge. natural communities. • Keep wildlife wild; don’t feed the animals. • Poisonous snakes and other wildlife live WHO OWNS AND CARES FOR THE POTOMAC GORGE? in the park. Watch where you put your hands and feet, particularly in rocky areas. We’re all responsible for the Gorge. Much of Public parkland in the Gorge includes the public infrastructure runs through the Gorge the Potomac Gorge’s 15–mile shoreline is National Park Service’s Chesapeake & Ohio — including water, sewer, gas, and power • Hunting and trapping in park areas are public parkland, where park managers Canal National Historical Park and George lines — providing critical services to the D.C. prohibited; fishing is subject to state or D.C. protect natural and cultural resources and Washington Memorial Parkway, which metro region population. While much of the licensing regulations. provide recreational opportunities for current administers Turkey Run Park, Great Falls Gorge’s immediate riverfront property is • Camping and campfires are permitted and future generations to enjoy. The river Park, and Glen Echo Park. In Virginia, the “protected” by being publicly owned and not only in designated areas. itself belongs to the State of Maryland, Fairfax County Park Authority oversees vulnerable to private development, it still extending back to colonial times. However, Riverbend Park and Scotts Run Nature faces a number of threats. • Alcohol, firearms, and metal detectors are responsibility for long-term stewardship of the Preserve, and there are several county prohibited in park areas. Gorge belongs to all who visit or live around stream valley parks on both sides of the river. this important natural area. Two private nonprofit conservation groups are active in the Gorge. The Nature Conservancy co–owns Bear Island, home of the popular Billy Goat Trail, with the National SELECTED Park Service. Potomac Conservancy owns ATTRACTIONS Minnie’s Island and administers the C&O Canal’s Lockhouse 8 Learning Center. George Washington Memorial Parkway Other public and private lands are included in Great Falls Park (VA) the nearly 10,000–acre area that’s the focus Hiking, picnicking, kayaking, rock of conservation action in the Potomac Gorge. climbing, bicycling, and horseback Many homes and businesses exist in and riding. around the Gorge, as well as schools, 703-285-2965 © R.H. Wiegand R.H. © Courtesy National Park Service Service Park National Courtesy hospitals, and other institutions. Important www.nps.gov/gwmp/grfa Paddlers putting in from the Turkey Run Park Park rangers guide visitors at Great Falls. Angler’s Inn access area. Hiking, picnicking, spring wildflowers. 703-289-2500 WHAT ARE THE THREATS TO THE POTOMAC GORGE? www.nps.gov/gwmp/vapa/turkey.htm Several factors threaten the natural resources This oasis in the middle of an urban environ- Fort Marcy & Theodore Roosevelt Island of the Gorge. More than 250 introduced ment faces ongoing threats from human Hiking and historic interpretation. nonnative species, including garlic mustard, activity as well. Stresses include expanding 703-289-2500 Japanese honeysuckle, and kudzu crowd residential and commercial development, www.nps.gov/gwmp/home.htm out native plants. The region's large deer road and utility construction, and increased Glen Echo Park population harms natural areas by demand for water. Within the parks, high Dance, theater, and art classes. overeating native vegetation, altering natural levels of visitor use create pressure to build Call 301-492-6229 habitats, and preventing tree regeneration. additional infrastructure, such as parking www.nps.gov/glec Introduced plant diseases like dogwood lots. And insensitive recreational practices Clara Barton National Historic Site anthracnose also take a toll on native can destroy natural areas by trampling Home of American Red Cross founder. vegetation. vegetation, fragmenting habitats, and Call 301-492-6245 © Gary P. Fleming Fleming P. © Gary © Sally Claggett/USDA Forest Service Forest Service Claggett/USDA Sally © promoting the spread of invasive species. www.nps.gov/clba Kudzu White-tailed deer HOW CAN WE PROTECT THE POTOMAC GORGE? C&O Canal National Historical Park As one of the more than restore the parks’ resources. Be safe and For more information, get the Good Neighbor Georgetown Visitor Center two million people who follow the park rules. Above all, practice Handbook: A Guide to River Friendly Living in Canal towpath open to hiking and visit the Potomac Gorge “Leave No Trace” sensitive recreational use the Middle Potomac Region, on The Nature biking. each year, please do your principles (see opposite side). Conservancy’s website at www.nature.org/ 202-653-5190 part to help protect this goodneighbor or Potomac Conservancy’s site, www.nps.gov/choh If you live in the greater Washington, D.C. exceptional place. Dis- www.potomac.org. The handbook’s topics Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center region, you also have an important role to cover the Gorge’s special include landscaping with native species, Sixteen hiking trails; conditions and play. There are many things you can do in natural and historical controlling invasive nonnative species, difficulty vary.