River Access
CCA works at preserving and extending paddling access to local rivers and streams. Our efforts include improving C&O Canal access, keeping Seneca Creek clear, advocating for a better Goose Creek put-in and steps around the dam, and working with others to preserve accesses to Harpers Ferry whitewater.
Our River Access Committee focuses on moves by the authorities and corporations (the C&O Canal Park, Loudoun Parks, and the CSX RR) in Georgetown, Montgomery & Loudoun Counties, and Harpers Ferry that deeply affect our ability to get to the Potomac and tributaries.
Recent Projects
Blockhouse Point Proposal 2025.09.05.pdf
Blockhouse Point Presentation.pdf
CCA Access Goals:
1. Get the lower C&O Canal re-watered sooner rather than later to facilitate paddling on the river (the Little Falls and Violettes/ GW Canal paddle-back loops)
2. Improve physical access for the elderly, disabled veterans and beginning paddlers at popular access points (Lock 5, Lock 10, Sandy Beach, Anglers, Violettes)
3. Press for better access to Goose Creek.
4. Reverse the CSX RR’s blocking the Weverton crossing near Harpers Ferry. We're in discussions, too, with natural allies like Team River Runner and the Washington Canoe Club.
Contact Access Committee Chair David Cottingham (dcottingham7@icloud.com) if you would like to become involved.
Achievements and Projects.
Our most prominent access achievement was in 2019 at Trump Golf Club across from Violettes Lock. CCA sued the US Coast Guard in 2018 over their blocking the river and won.
Canoers Declare Victory In Trump Golf Course Dispute, Gaining Potomac Access _ WAMU
Canoe v. Trump: Local Paddlers Sue Over Potomac Access Next To President’s Golf Course
Cruiser_2019_07_Summer
CCA Wins ACA Green Paddle Award for 2019
Goose Creek Access Analysis and Recommendations
C&O Canal Presentation 2020
CCA to MDDOT on Bridge-11-29-2021.pdf
Washington, DC Area
Fletcher's Cove
Supporting the proposed renovation of the entrance to the area. Cruiser_2019_03_March_April
C&O Canal Re-watering C&O Canal Maps C&O Canal Presentation 2020
John Snitzer and Barb Brown followed up several informal contacts with the C&O NHP by meeting in early 2018 with its Superintendent Kevin Brandt and his deputy John Noel at Park HQ up in Hagerstown to discuss how we might cooperate to see that boater interests were taken into account as the Park moves ahead with its $7 million project to refill portions of the Canal between Violettes Lock and Georgetown. We continue to be engaged with them.
Sandy Beach Steps
Critical boaters' descent from Lock 17 to the Potomac's Mather Gorge
Goose Creek
Prime beginner river, closed since 9/11. We explored likely put-ins, where a facility comparable to the Kephart Landing take-out is in the wind, but found no construction. However, we did find a way to the Goose Reservoir, at Sycolin Road and Golf Course Rapid. We’ve run many trips this season (Oct 2019). 2020 - In covid time - just messing about in Golf Course Rapid (200 cfs/ 2 ft is the minimum) - an up-and-back trip. Cruiser_2018_03_March_April
Violettes Lock/ GW Canal Loop
Got the C&O Canal Park to restore water to the Pennyfield-Violettes reach - making this a one-car loop again. In the GW Canal in VA we're constantly engaged, working with Calleva to clear recurring log jams.
Lock 10 - improving takeout
Seneca Creek - Work with Seneca Creek State Park to clear this nearby family-friendly stream of logs - a job that needs monitoring as well as muscle. Cruiser_2018_09_Sept_Oct Also, support the State Park at Black Rock Mill on parking restrictions.
Harper's Ferry, WV Area
Weverton RR Crossing
This is the lower take-out in Maryland for boaters running the Needles section of the Potomac and the Staircase section of the Shenandoah past Harpers Ferry. In early Feb, 2018, soon after a meeting of stakeholders, CCA, which was not present, heard that the CSX RR had put up signs warning boaters and hikers that the RR had declared Weverton to be a “private crossing.” And CSX removed the white posts telling its engineers to sound warning blasts in approaching the crossing. This crossing is used by 20,000 people each year, including users of the Appalachian Trail. CCA and other organizations are working hard to counter this, which could drastically cut access to a beloved intermediate paddle.
Weverton Rail Crossing Feasibility Study
CCA's Response to the Weverton Feasibility Study
David Cottingham - Comments on Weverton Feasibility Study
Comment on Weverton Study from Elizabeth Watson
Additional Harpers Ferry accesses include: Sandy Hook MD. Millville, WV; Bakerton, WV; Potoma Wayside Landing & Parking, VA; Beach access at Harpers Ferry itself, and a portage route around the dam upstream of Millville on the Shenandoah.