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List of tributaries of the Potomac River facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Potomac River is a really important river in the eastern United States. It flows for about 383 miles (616 kilometers) from its start in West Virginia all the way to the Chesapeake Bay. Think of it as a big highway for water!

But a big river like the Potomac doesn't flow alone. It gets water from many smaller rivers and streams that join it along its journey. These smaller rivers and streams are called tributaries. A tributary is like a side road that leads to the main highway. They all help make the Potomac River bigger and stronger.

This list shows you some of the main tributaries that feed into the Potomac River, starting from where the Potomac begins and moving downstream towards the ocean.

Journey Down the Potomac: Its Amazing Tributaries

As the Potomac River flows, many streams and rivers join it. Each one adds its own water, making the Potomac grow bigger and bigger. Here are some of the important ones you'll find along the way:

Tributaries Near the Source

The Potomac starts with two main branches, and soon after, other streams begin to join.

Tributaries in the Middle Section

As the Potomac gets wider, it collects water from more well-known rivers and creeks.

  • Opequon Creek (Virginia/West Virginia)
  • Downey Branch (Maryland)
  • Marsh Run (Maryland)
  • Town Run (West Virginia)
  • Rattlesnake Run (West Virginia)
  • Antietam Creek (Maryland/Pennsylvania)
  • Elks Run (West Virginia)
  • Shenandoah River (Virginia/West Virginia) - This is a very large and famous tributary!
  • Piney Run (Virginia)
  • Israel Creek (Maryland)
  • Dutchman Creek (Virginia)
  • Quarter Branch (Virginia)
  • Little Catoctin Creek (Maryland)
  • Catoctin Creek (Maryland)
  • Catoctin Creek (Virginia)
  • Tuscarora Creek (Maryland)
  • Monocacy River (Maryland/Pennsylvania)
  • Little Monocacy River (Maryland)
  • Limestone Branch (Virginia)
  • Broad Run (Maryland)
  • Goose Creek (Virginia)
  • Broad Run (Virginia)
  • Horsepen Branch (Maryland)
  • Sugarland Run (Virginia)
  • Seneca Creek (Maryland)
  • Old Sugarland Run (Virginia)
  • Muddy Branch (Maryland)
  • Nichols Run (Virginia)
  • Watts Branch (Maryland)
  • Limekiln Branch (Maryland)
  • Carroll Branch (Maryland)
  • Pond Run (Virginia)
  • Clarks Branch (Virginia)
  • Mine Run Branch (Virginia)
  • Difficult Run (Virginia)
  • Bullneck Run (Virginia)
  • Rock Run (Maryland)
  • Scott Run (Virginia)
  • Dead Run (Virginia)
  • Turkey Run (Virginia)
  • Cabin John Creek (Maryland)
  • Wisteria Run [unofficial name] (Virginia)
  • Minnehaha Branch (Maryland)
  • Little Falls Branch (Maryland)
  • Pimmit Run (Virginia)
  • Gulf Branch (Virginia)
  • Donaldson Run (Virginia)
  • Windy Run (Virginia)
  • Spout Run (Virginia)

Tributaries Near Washington D.C. and Beyond

As the Potomac reaches the area around Washington, D.C., more important waterways join it, including some that flow through the city itself.

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