Potomac River

The Potomac River flows from the Appalachian Mountains to Chesapeake Bay, forming much of the boundary between Maryland and Virginia and passing through Washington, D.C.

Chesapeake Bay: The largest estuary in the United States, where freshwater rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean. The Potomac empties into this estuary, carrying runoff from its watershed.
Great Falls of the Potomac River: A series of rapids and waterfalls on the Potomac River northwest of Washington, D.C. The falls mark a dramatic change in elevation along the river.
Washington Aqueduct: A water-supply system that carries Potomac River water to Washington, D.C. It makes the river a major source of drinking water for the capital.
Appalachian Mountains: A mountain range extending from eastern Canada through the eastern United States to Alabama. The Potomac rises in the Appalachians before flowing east toward the coast.
Potomac River watershed: The area of land drained by the Potomac River and its tributaries. Its boundaries show which communities and landscapes supply water to the river.
Harpers Ferry: A historic town in West Virginia at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. The two rivers meet at a strategic passage through the Appalachians.
Maryland–Virginia boundary: The state boundary separating Maryland and Virginia, which follows much of the Potomac River. The river's channel and banks have long shaped disputes over the boundary.
Atlantic Coastal Plain: A low-lying region along the Atlantic coast of North America. The river enters this plain as it approaches Chesapeake Bay.
North Branch Potomac River: The principal upstream branch of the Potomac River, rising in West Virginia and Maryland. It forms part of the river's headwaters before joining the South Branch.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal: A nineteenth-century canal that follows the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland. Its towpath and locks preserve a record of river-based transport and industry.

Linked from 2 pages

John Brown's raid on Harpers FerryRelated: The raiders’ route across the river connected their Maryland staging area to the armory.