The Potomac River (/ p ə ˈ t oʊ m ə k / ⓘ) in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States flows from the Potomac Highlands in West Virginia to Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. It is 405 miles (652 km) long, [4] with a drainage area of 14,700 square miles (38,000 km 2), [5] and is the fourth-largest river along the East Coast of the United States.

On January 29, 2025, a United States Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air with American Airlines Flight 5342 (operated by PSA Airlines as American Eagle), [a] a Bombardier CRJ700 airliner, over the Potomac River, about half a mile (800 m) short of runway 33 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.All 67 people aboard the two aircraft were ...

2 days ago · A crane retrieves part of the wreckage from the Potomac River, in the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter, by Ronald Reagan Washington National ...

6 days ago · The river is navigable to Washington, D.C., above which it descends from the Piedmont in a series of rapids and falls, including Great Falls, a cataract about 35 feet (11 metres) high. The Potomac, noted for its beauty, is also rich in historical significance.

Sep 2, 2020 · It’s a mighty 383 miles long, it slices through the heart of our region, and it supplies most of our drinking water. Yet ask residents what they most love about Washington, and the Potomac River probably doesn’t pop to mind first. “I think a lot of people overlook the river,” says Garrett Peck, author of The Potomac River: A History ...

Dec 7, 2022 · The Potomac River is 652 km (405 miles) in length and has a drainage basin of 38,000 km 2 (14,700 square miles), which makes it the fourth largest river on the United States’ Atlantic Coast. It runs from Fairfax Stone, West Virginia to Chesapeak Bay.

Originating in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia and drawing from the hills of Virginia and Maryland, which are collectively recognized as the Potomac River Highlands, the river offers a diversity of culture, history, and wildlife as it channels the border between those states and Washington, DC, on its 380-mile run to the Tidewater at ...

May 16, 2024 · It highlights the river's significance for regional development, and also its rich vegetation and diverse wildlife found along the riverbanks demonstrate the Potomac's essential role in preserving regional ecosystems.

Family-friendly outdoor water activities like boat tours, kayaks, paddleboarding and fountains make a splash in Washington, DC. The District’s two rivers, the Potomac and the Anacostia, shine brightly once the warm weather of spring and summer settles on the city.

May 29, 2019 · Its location on the banks of the Potomac River along DC’s Southwest waterfront is the ideal departure point for the Wharf Water Taxi to travel to and from National Harbor, Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria. The 25-minute ride to each destination has scenic views.