Lock #1, Patowmack Canal, Great Falls ,Virginia - Waterway Locks, Planes and Lifts on Waymarking.com

George Washington instigated plans to link the east coast with the Ohio River valley via the Potomac River. Delegates from Virginia and Maryland, meeting at Washington's home in 1785 established the Patowmack Company and drew up the Mount Vernon Compact, providing for free trade on the river. Washington took the office of president and presided over the project until he became the nation's chief executive.

The Potomac River, which drops over 600 feet in its 200 mile route to the sea presented numerous navigational obstacles. To bypass the Great Falls of the Potomac, with a drop of 80 feet in a mile, major canal construction was required. Construction of the Patowmack canal began in 1785 but was not completed for 17 years. Cutting a canal through rock cliffs and building locks was difficult work in the late 18th century. The canal construction is believed to be the first use in America of black powder blasting for engineering.

Thousands of boats passed through the canal and the town of Matildaville, which sprang up by the locks to house workers during construction grew to include markets, gristmill, sawmill, foundry, inn, ice house, workers' barracks, boarding houses, and small homes.

But the canal was never sound financially. Construction costs had been enormous, high water restricted use of the Potomac route much of the year and tolls collected could not cover the company debt. The bankrupt company turned over its assets to the newly formed Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company and the Patowmack Canal was abandoned in 1830. Matildaville was deserted soon after.

The remnants of the canal and its five locks are preserved within Great Falls National Park. Lock #1, the uppermost, was 18 feet deep. Visitors to the park can view the stone walls of the lock which are located a short walk from the park visitor center and picnic area.

Waterway Name: Patowmack Canal Connected Points: By passes the falls of the Potomac River in Northeastern Virginia. Type: Lock Date Opened: 01/01/1802 Date Closed (if applicable): 01/01/1830 Elevation Difference (meters): 5.00 Site Status: Remnants Web Site: [Web Link]

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