Potomac River, river in the east central United States, rising in North and South branches in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.

What you need to know about the January 2026 Potomac Interceptor sewage spill and how you can demand accountability and action.

Minor: 10 ft Action: 5 ft Potomac River near Washington DC (Little Falls) NWSLI: BRKM2, Reach ID: 4512772 OBSERVED FORECAST 2.90 ft 2.90 ft Zoom 1d 2d 7d 14d All 13 May 2026 → 21 May 2026 Zoom 12 am May 14 12 am May 15 12 am May 16 12 am May 17 12 am May 18 12 am May 19 12 am May 20 12 am May 21 20 Apr 20 Apr 27 Apr 27 Apr 4 May 4 May 11 May 11 May 18 May 18 May 0 2 4 6 8 10 ⏱ 2.92 ft 10. ...

President Bill Clinton designated the Potomac as an American Heritage River in 1998, which, for five years, allowed communities along the rivers to access federal resources to help revitalize their rivers, riverfronts, and local economies.

Often called “The Nation’s River,” the Potomac is both a natural force and a cultural landmark, flowing through five states and the capital, shaping American history along its 380-mile journey to the Chesapeake Bay.

The Potomac River is a unique resource connecting communities across its landscape to recreational opportunities and lessons about the nation’s history. Taking part in activities like hiking, paddling, biking, and birdwatching are ways that people can enjoy what the river has to offer.