A barred owl watches passersby in birding hotspot near Riley ’ s Lock , an engineering feat , pictured at right .
Thanks to the woodlands and marshes lining the Potomac River , the area between Pennyfield and Riley ’ s locks is also home to a diverse variety of migrating , nesting , and overwintering birds . This area has been identified by eBird as the number one birding hotspot in Montgomery County , with over 275 species of birds reported . Bald eagles often nest in the trees here , while herons , hawks , and ducks are common sights .
The Canal ’ s Historic Treasures
The C & O Canal is a testament to 19th-century engineering prowess . Locks , with their intricate system of gates and chambers , raised and lowered boats to navigate the canal ’ s changing elevations , while aqueducts carried the boats across rivers and streams . These structures join culverts , the towpath , and the canal basin itself as remnants of an ingenious transportation artery .
At Riley ’ s Lock 24 , visitors can see the only instance on the C & O Canal where a lock and an aqueduct are merged . At this spot , the
canal ’ s path experiences a significant change in elevation as it intersected with Seneca Creek . In order to cross the creek and adjust the canal ’ s level , engineers creatively integrated a lock and an aqueduct into a single structure .
Making the structure even more unique is the fact that , along with neighboring lockhouse 24 , the lock / aqueduct combination was constructed of Seneca red sandstone . This material is recognizable for its distinctive rusty red color , resulting from iron oxide seeping into the sandstone . Mined just west of here , the sandstone was also used to build Smithsonian Castle .
Nearby Edwards Ferry at Lock 25 once supported a thriving canal community with residents dependent on the canal and the ferry for their livelihoods . Both provided crucial transportation links to other settlements along the canal , while the ferry also facilitated trade , commerce , and social interaction across the river in Virginia . Today , the ruins of Jarboe ’ s store beside the lockhouse offer a tangible connection to the commerce once conducted there .
At Lockhouse 21 , the Swain family spent generations living and working on the canal . The family ’ s connection began with John T . Swain , Sr ., who helped construct the canal and worked as a boatman . His sons followed in his footsteps , becoming boatmen and captains themselves .
When the canal closed in 1924 , the family adapted to the changing times by operating a concession stand , renting boats , and becoming integral to the area ’ s transition into a recreational destination .
The Canal ’ s Recreation Treasures
Once the C & O Canal transitioned to the National Park Service in 1971 , its primary usage became recreational . Accessible from every entry point , the flat towpath is perfect for leisurely strolls . The river and the canal itself offer excellent opportunities for paddling the canal ’ s calm waters or the Potomac ’ s more challenging rapids . Cycling is also extremely popular . Because of the towpath ’ s
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