ANACOSTIA RIVER WATER TRAIL GUIDE A Voyage Through Time: From Captain John Smith to the Modern Day EXPLORE THE ANACOSTIA RIVER BY CAR, BIKE, FOOT, OR WATER. RIVER SAFETY GUIDELINES ANACOSTIA RIVER PANEL REFERENCE MAP Always, always wear a lifejacket NORTHEAST BRANCH Check the Tide Near Bladensburg, MD, the Anacostia ANC has a 3-foot tidal difference, one of NORTHWEST BRANCH the largest tidal differences on the Chesapeake Bay. There are many places KENILWORTH AV / RT 201 ANNAPOLIS RD on the Anacostia only accessible at high tide. It is always best to explore streams PANEL 1 and wetlands on an incoming tide, to BLADENSBURG RD ensure enough water for the return trip. Take the tide into consideration when estimating paddle times. For tide tables, go to www.saltwatertides.com. RHODE ISLAND AVE GEORGIA AVE GEORGIA Be Prepared BLADENSBURG RD RT 50/NEW0/NEW YORYORK AVEAVE Check the weather forecast before setting ORKRK AVEAVE out and bring the appropriate clothing and NEW YORK AVE amount of water. In the summer, watch PANEL 2 out for severe afternoon thunderstorms. In the spring and fall, temperatures and winds can fl uctuate dramatically so bring KENILWORTH AVE extra layers of clothing. N CAPITOL ST BENNING RD G RD Water Quality While the water quality of the Anacostia River has improved dramatically in the last E CAPITOLC STS SE INDEPENDENCE AVE two decades, it is still unsafe to swim in the E CAPITOL ST river. Levels of fecal bacteria are particularly PANEL 3 high within 24 hours after a signifi cant storm event (1/2 inch or more of rain). TIA DR SE 11TH ST ANACOSTIA DR SE L Fish Consumption Advisories T PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE Maryland and the District of Columbia S CAPITOL ST SE have issued fi sh consumption advisories OSTIA FREEWAY / RT 295 PANEL 4 WASHINGTON, DC for the Anacostia River for: MARYLAND ANACOSTIAANACOS FREEWAY / RT 295 - American eel - Brown bullhead catfi sh ANACOSTIA RIVER WASHINGTON CHANNEL WASHINGTON - Carp CHANNEL WASHINGTON POTOMAC RIVER POTOMAC - Small and largemouth bass RIVER POTOMAC - Channel catfi sh ANACOSTIA FRWY - Sunfi sh Most advisories are linked to PCBs, methylmercury and pesticides. The DC Department of Health urges limited consumption of Anacostia River fi sh and the practice of catch and release is encouraged. Anglers are urged to always skin the fi sh, trim away fat and cook fi sh to drain away fat because chemical contaminants concentrate in the fat of the fi sh. Leave no trace: leave only footprints. Anacostia River Tide Stations Canoe Paddling Times (Approximate) Take only memories and photos! + Benning Bridge, DC With Tide: 3 miles per hour + Anacostia Bridge, DC Against Tide: 2 miles per hour www.saltwatertides.com ANACOSTIA RIVER WATER TRAIL GUIDE Celebrating America’s History Restoring Washington’s Waterway When Captain John Smith, president of The Anacostia River is slowly rebounding Jamestown colony, soldier and explorer after centuries of pollution overload from sailed up the Anacostia in the summer industrial, residential and agricultural of 1608, he described an abundant land, sources. Sewage overfl ows are being well-forested and rich with wetlands. It is eliminated, stronger stormwater regulations The Anacostia Watershed Society estimated that only 25% of the forests he are addressing harmful sediments, and (AWS) is a local, 501(c)(3) non-profi t saw on the Anacostia still remain. Smith toxics from heavy industrial uses in the environmental organization that is said the fi sh were so plentiful that he and 1900s are slowly being trapped under working to protect and restore the his handful of men actually tried to catch layers of river mud. Anacostia River and its watershed. them with frying pans! Hundreds of acres of wetlands are being AWS seeks to fulfi ll its mandate In 2007, to commemorate Captain John restored, miles of forested buffers now of a swimmable and fi shable river Smith’s amazing explorations of the line the river, and other natural fi lters such through its programs of education, Chesapeake Bay, Congress established as aquatic grasses, mussels and clams action and advocacy. America’s fi rst national water trail. The are starting to re-emerge. The challenges Captain John Smith Chesapeake National remain daunting, but signs of the river’s Historic Trail includes the lower portion of rebirth are appearing. MONTGOMERY the Anacostia River. Efforts are currently COUNTY, MD underway to have the upper portion of the ANACOSTIA WATERSHED Anacostia also recognized by the National Park Service. The Anacostia River played POTOMAC RIVER a major role in shaping American Indian PRINCE culture, the founding of our nation’s capital GEORGES DC and the military outcomes in the War of 1812. COUNTY, MD ANACOSTIA RIVER VA Safety This section of the Anacostia has ANACOSTIA WATERSHED PANEL 1 a 3-foot tidal difference, one of the largest tide differences anywhere in the Chesapeake. Watch out when TO COLLEGE PARK exploring creeks that you don’t P 1 get stuck! To check the tides go to Magruder Park www.saltwatertides.com. 1. Magruder Park P A 32-acre park located in Hyattsville, MD with boardwalk trails meandering through a native wetland. Bike and car accessible. 2. Anacostia Watershed Society Headquarters of the local non-profi t Colmar Manor Wetlands environmental and community organization whose mission it is to restore the Anacostia 2 Anacostia Watershed Society to a state of being fi shable and swimmable. 3 Bladensburg Waterfront Park 3. Bladensburg Waterfront Park 0 mi The park features a public boat ramp, fl oating dock access for paddlers, canoe and kayak rentals, and access to regional bike trails. During colonial days, captains reported 40 feet of water at this once busy seaport. Clear-cutting of forests upstream caused Colmar Manor Athletic Fields the river to silt in, so now only paddlers and PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND skiffs can navigate this section of the river. WASHINGTON, DC Dueling Creek 4 ANA 11 Wetlands N 0 1,000 2,000 feet 4. ANA 11 Wetlands A former landfi ll, this marshy river fi lter and wildlife habitat area was constructed in 2008 as wetland mitigation by the Maryland Legend State Highway Administration. Point Features Line Features BIKE PATH Boat Launch with Gas Station John Smith Voyage Canoe Launch/Paddle Take Out Existing Bike Trail FOOT PATH Public Motor and Canoe Launch Scenic Road P Parking Facilities Marsh Boardwalk ANACOSTIA RIVER Canoe Trail ANACOSTIA WATERSHED PANEL 2 1.Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens NORTHEASTNORTNORNONOROORTRTRTHEAHHEASHEEASEAEAASSTTBRTB BRANCHBRBRAANCHANCANNCNCHNCHCH NORTHWESTNORORRTRTHHWEHWWEWEESSTTBTBR BRANCHBBRRAANCHANANCNCNCHNCCHH A secret beauty spot in Washington with a rich wetland habitat, including lotuses, lilies and forest wildfl owers. Accessible to paddlers at high tide only. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND WASHINGTON, DC 1 mi Lower Beaver Dam Creek 2. Kenilworth Marsh In 1993, the National Park Service and the 1 Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Army Corps of Engineers, among others, restored over 30 acres of wetland. Explore this marsh extensively at high tide or walk along the boardwalk between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 2 Kenilworth Marsh High Tide Access Only 2 mi National Arboretum 3 4 Kenilworth Park Athletic Fields 3. National Arboretum Hickey Run The 440 acres is fi lled with a wide variety of plants and trees being studied by scientists. Kingman Marsh Access Point 5 Watts Branch A winding path leads to the “Asian Valley,” offering dramatic views and a paradise of plants. A fl oating dock allows access to the arboretum, open 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily. Langston 6 Golf Course 3 mi N 0 1,000 2,000 feet 4. Kenilworth Park Athletic Fields Wetlands This park sits on a recycled landfi ll and Wetlands provide food, fi ltering, fl ood control, features public open space and playing fi elds. and habitat. Captain John Smith wrote that a major food staple for the Native Americans Area Features were the tubers of Tuckahoe (Arrow Arum), 5. Watts Branch Wetlands which once again grow along the Anacostia. This stream fl ows through the longest city park in the District, Marvin Gaye Park, Water named for the famous African American Public Green Space singer who spent his boyhood here. 6. Langston Golf Course The course opened in 1939 to provide access to golf recreation for African Americans. ANACOSTIA WATERSHED PANEL 3 1. Heritage and Kingman Islands The US Army Corps of Engineers created these islands at the turn of the 20th century. Both islands can be circumnavigated at high tide. 3 mi 2. Kingman Lake Now an excellent habitat for numerous bird and fi sh species and other reptiles and mammals, the US Army Corps of Engineers completed a 45-acre restoration project here. There is a low-clearance board walk across the lake that provides foot access to Kingman Island. Kingman Island 1 Heritage Island 1 RFK Stadium Kingman Lake 2 Osprey Nesting Platform 3 3. Osprey Nesting Platform This nesting site was built by local second 4 mi graders to help provide habitat for the once Kingman Marsh Access Point endangered osprey, a type of fi sh hawk that migrates annually to South America. 4 Anacostia Park Boat Ramp 5 mi Anacostia Park 4. Anacostia Park Boat Ramp 5 Anacostia Community Boat House This concrete ramp is paddle and powerboat accessible and is located on the northern end of Anacostia Park, a two-mile long park operated by the National Park Service. It is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. 0 1,000 2,000 feet N Legend 5. Anacostia Community Boat House Point Features Line Features Boat Launch with Gas Station John Smith Voyage Canoe Launch/Paddle Take Out Existing Bike Trail Public Motor and Canoe Launch Scenic Road P Parking Facilities Marsh Boardwalk Canoe Trail ANACOSTIA WATERSHED PANEL 4 1.