Inlet Locks

Seven dams and one steam pump were built along the river to funnel water into the canal. During drought or low water, usually at the height of summer, river levels dropped dramatically, the canal could not get enough water from the river, and boat traffic stopped, causing a loss of revenue for the canal company and the loss of a living for boat captains. As a young man, George Washington surveyed the Potomac Valley and discovered its riches. Part of the Patowmack Canal, which he championed, ran from here to the Abner Cloud House at mile 3.1. Dam 1 at Little Falls diverted water to this inlet lock, supplying the canal with water from Lock 5 to Georgetown. Inlet lock dams and inlet locks were the engineering devices used to provide water for the canal.

Brookmont, Maryland · United States