Potomac River Flood Watch Revised

Update, 11 a.m.: The National Park Service has revised it's closings for the C&O Canal National Historical Park due to a new river forecast. 

Visitor centers are open, but campgrounds and Olmsted Island in Great Falls remain closed. The towpath is also open, but visitors will not be able to access the river, according to National Park Service Ranger Kelly Fox.

The revised forecast predicts a water stage crest of 10.2 feet on Friday morning.

Update, Sept. 7, 10:30 a.m.: The C&O Canal National Historical Park has closed the towpath, visitor centers and all lockhouses, in preparation of major flooding, effective immediately.

The C&O Canal Trust has also postponed , to be rescheduled after river waters recede. 

The park asks visitors to respect park closures and use cation when near the river.

Original Story, Sept. 6: The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the Potomac River near Little Falls, affecting Montgomery County from Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning.

Moderate flooding is possible and the NWS recommends making preparations at this time. 

At 11 a.m. Tuesday the water stage read 3.5 feet. The river is expected to reach flood stage at 10 feet by Tuesday evening. Significant portions of the C&O towpath may experience flooding by Friday when the water stage is expected to reach 13 feet.