Sharpshin Island facts for kids
Sharpshin Island (also known as "Sharkskin Island" on some maps) is a cool island. You can find it in the Potomac River in Maryland. It's a neat spot to explore nature and see wildlife.
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Exploring Sharpshin Island
Sharpshin Island is located close to Riley's Lock. This lock is number 24 on the C&O Canal. The island is less than a mile upstream from the lock. "Upstream" means it's further up the river, against the current.
Island Shape and Size
The island is about 200 yards long. That's about the length of two football fields! It's also very narrow. At its widest point, it's only about 50 feet across. That's like the length of a school bus.
Landing and Campsite
Sharpshin Island has a flat, sandy beach at one end. This is a good spot to land a boat. It's about 50 feet downstream from the island's head. The "head" is the upstream end of the island. If you walk towards the middle of the island, you might find a small campsite. It even has a fire ring!
Nearby Areas
The head of Sharpshin Island is across from a boat ramp. This ramp is on the Virginia side of the river. Many people launch power boats and jet skis from here. You can also launch boats from Riley's Lock. Dulles Airport is also pretty close by. You might see planes flying high overhead. They are usually too high to be noisy.
Wildlife on Sharpshin Island
Sharpshin Island is home to many plants and animals. These are typical for the Potomac River area.
Animals You Might See
You can often spot Painted turtles sunning themselves. Look for great blue herons flying over the water. Canada geese and ducks often swim by. If you are lucky, you might hear an owl at night. You could even see a white-tailed deer swimming to the mainland!
Plants to Watch Out For
Be careful if you visit Sharpshin Island. Poison ivy grows there a lot. If you are allergic, it's a good idea to know what it looks like. This way, you can avoid touching it.
