Potomac River
Formed from branches in the West Virginia and Virginia highlands, the Potomac flows past Cumberland, Hancock, Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown, over the falls above Washington, D.C., then widens into a tidal estuary to the Chesapeake.
Course of the river, simplified. Map data from Natural Earth (public domain).
Weather at the Potomac River (National Weather Service) ↗
River facts
| Length | 405 miles |
|---|---|
| Source | North Branch at Fairfax Stone, WV; South Branch near Hightown, VA |
| Mouth | Chesapeake Bay between Point Lookout, MD and Smith Point, VA |
| States | Maryland, Virginia |
Jennings Randolph Dam on the North Branch, plus Dam No. 4 and Little Falls Dam on the main stem.
Boat ramps, launches and bait shops
Detailed ramp, bait shop and lock-and-dam listings for the Potomac River are coming soon. Until then, these searches open Google Maps along the river:
- Boat ramps on the Potomac River in Maryland ↗ · Bait shops near the Potomac River in Maryland ↗
- Boat ramps on the Potomac River in Virginia ↗ · Bait shops near the Potomac River in Virginia ↗
Fishing regulations
Check the state agency for river-specific rules, seasons and limits before you fish:
- Maryland: Maryland Department of Natural Resources ↗
- Virginia: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources ↗
Facts from Potomac River (Wikipedia) ↗