Anacostia River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anacostia River |
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Anacostia River adjacent to the United States National Arboretum
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Anacostia River Watershed
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland, District of Columbia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Bladensburg, Maryland 38°56′33″N 76°56′38″W / 38.94250°N 76.94389°W |
| River mouth | Potomac River Washington, D.C. 3 ft (0.91 m) 38°51′13″N 77°01′13″W / 38.85361°N 77.02028°W |
| Length | 8.4 mi (13.5 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 176 sq mi (460 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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The Anacostia River is a river in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It starts in Prince George's County, Maryland. From there, it flows into Washington, D.C..
In D.C., the Anacostia River joins the Washington Channel before flowing into the larger Potomac River. The Anacostia River is about 8.7 miles (14.0 km) long. Its name comes from the Nacotchtank people, a Native American group who lived along the river's banks long ago.
For many years, the Anacostia River faced serious pollution problems. People often called it "D.C.'s forgotten river" because of this. However, in recent times, many groups have worked together. These include private organizations, local businesses, and the governments of D.C., Maryland, and the U.S. federal government. They are all trying to clean up the river and protect its important natural areas.
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Where the Anacostia River Flows
The main part of the Anacostia River begins where two smaller rivers meet. These are the Northwest Branch and the Northeast Branch. This meeting point is just north of Cottage City, Maryland.
Many smaller streams flow into these branches and the main river. Some of these include Sligo Creek, Paint Branch, and Watts Branch. These streams bring water from the surrounding land into the Anacostia.
The Anacostia River Watershed
A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a single river or body of water. The Anacostia River's watershed covers about 176 square miles (456 km²).
This area includes parts of eastern Montgomery County and northern Prince George's County in Maryland. It also covers most of the eastern half of Washington, D.C. Protecting the watershed helps keep the river healthy.
History of the Anacostia River
Captain John Smith explored the Anacostia River in 1608. He was looking for the main part of the Potomac River. His journals say that the Anacostan people living there welcomed him.
For a long time, the river was known as the "Eastern Branch of the Potomac River." Later, it officially received its current name, Anacostia.
In the 1800s, the Washington City Canal was built. It connected the Anacostia River to other waterways. This canal was used for shipping goods. During the American Civil War, forts were built south of the river. These forts protected the Washington Navy Yard from attacks.
Cleaning Up the Anacostia River
The Anacostia River has faced many pollution challenges. However, a lot of work is being done to make it cleaner and safer for everyone.
Sewage Pollution and Solutions
One major problem has been raw sewage flowing into the river. This happens during heavy rainstorms. The city's old combined sewer system mixes rainwater with sewage. When it rains too much, this mix overflows into the river.
This sewage contains harmful bacteria and other germs. It can make people sick and harm fish and other wildlife. It also reduces the amount of oxygen in the water, which can cause large numbers of fish to die.
Studies have shown that people who use the river for fun activities, like kayaking, can be exposed to this polluted water. This can affect their health. To fix this, the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (DCWASA) is building a huge system of underground tunnels.
These tunnels will store the sewage and stormwater during heavy rains. This will stop 98 percent of the overflows into the Anacostia River. The first part of this tunnel system opened in 2018. The rest is planned to be finished by 2023.
Controlling Litter
Litter is another big problem for the river. In 2009, a special floating device called a Bandalong Litter Trap was placed in Watts Branch. This is a stream that flows into the Anacostia.
This trap helps collect trash floating in the water. In its first year, it removed over 500 pounds (227 kg) of litter each month! This helps keep the river cleaner and safer for animals.
Mussels Helping to Clean the River
Since 2018, thousands of mussels have been placed in the Anacostia River. This is part of an exciting project to clean the water. Mussels are natural filter feeders. This means they clean water by filtering out tiny particles as they eat.
The Anacostia Watershed Society believes these mussels have already cleaned millions of gallons of water. The project started with 9,000 mussels. Because it was so successful, the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) provided a grant to add 35,000 more mussels.
This project is very important, especially after heavy rains bring more dirt and waste into the river. The river's health has improved, but there's still work to do. Swimming in the Anacostia River has been against the law since 1971. However, city officials hope to change this. They are thinking about building public swimming areas by 2025.
Fun Things to Do Along the Anacostia River
The Anacostia River offers many great places for outdoor activities. The Bladensburg Waterfront Park is a popular spot. Here, you can rent boats and bikes. There's also a public boat ramp and dock.
Many rowing teams, including those from the University of Maryland and The Catholic University of America, use the park. Local high schools also practice rowing here.
The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail is a paved path along the river. It's great for walking, running, and biking. When finished, it will be about 28 miles (45 km) long. The trail connects to many interesting places, like the United States National Arboretum and Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. You can also reach Nationals Park and the Maine Avenue Fish Market from the trail.
Images for kids
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The Anacostia River during a flood in 1936.
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The Washington Navy Yard and nearby area around 1960.
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An aerial view of Southeast D.C. in 2009, showing the Anacostia River.
See also
In Spanish: Río Anacostia para niños
