Greatly disturbed by the Winter Flooding of January 1996, Explorer Post 1192/Girl Scout Troop 2993 worked with the U.S. Park Rangers and members of the C&O Canal Conservancy on a Canal Clean Up Day around the Monocacy Aqueduct (near Lock 42). Our volunteer efforts were sparked by our fond memories of numerous scouting trips on the canal's towpath -- hiking, biking, and generally having a jolly time.
This page presents:
The C & O Canal began as a project that would connect the Chesapeake Bay and Ohio. The construction originally began in 1828. It never quite reached Ohio, but 184.5 miles were completed from Washington, DC to Cumberland, Maryland. The towpath on one side of the canal enabled flatboats to be pulled along by strong mules. Locks were used, allowing the boats to move upstream and downstream, in level sections.
Eventually in 1961, the canal had been out of use for years and was in major disrepair, but a group of dedicated citizens (most notably Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas' letters to the Washington Post) rallied support for it as as an historical and recreational site. It is now The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park.
For decades it has been a major recreational resource, and millions of people have enjoyed it for biking, hiking, jogging, strolling, fishing, and generally enjoying life, learning about local history and observing nature. The January 1996 flooding was severe (with rangers estimating that over 80% of the canal and the towpath were under water) and caused enormous damage. Efforts by the Park Service and volunteers have successfully opened most of the towpath's length, but additional work remains to be completed.
The girls hauled wood, cleared garbage and storm debris, lifted large, heavy rocks and tires,
and worked to open that region of the park.
Despite the effectiveness of the girls' work, there is much remaining work to be done. To do Your Part in the restoration of our Fine Historical Towpath, contact: The Canal Page or The Potomac Conservancy. To find a way to volunteer, contact their volunteer page.
Over the years, we have explored several sections of the 184.5 mile towpath.
In April of 1992, the troop hiked the Billy Goat Trail.
Then in the July of that year, we biked along the canal as a summer activity with G.S. Troop 602 and in June of 1993, a couple of our troop members were docents at Riley's Lockhouse (Lock 24), a special project of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital.
In April, 1994, we had an overnight at the Harpers Ferry Hostel
(301/834-7652) (near milepost 61) and biked 38 miles, from Harpers Ferry,
West Virginia to Antiedam and from White's Ferry up to the Monocacy Aqueduct (milepost 42) for a Sunday picnic.
The Monocacy Aqueduct in 1994
Last updated October 5, 1997, links corrected 2/18/02.