Chapter 01. Potomac River Safety
Regulation .01 Purpose.LinkCopy Citation
The purpose of these regulations is to foster water safety for recreational uses of certain particularly hazardous portions of the Potomac River by establishing zones and public safety restrictions where certain recreational activities are considered unsafe.
Regulation .02 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The following terms have the meanings indicated.
B.
Terms Defined.
(1)
“Boating”, for the purposes of this chapter, means any recreational or other use of the Potomac River involving a vessel, including swimming or wading in association with a vessel.
(2)
Recreational Use.
(a)
“Recreational use” means activities on the Potomac River, including swimming, bathing, wading, diving, tubing, rafting, and other uses involving contact with the water.
(b)
“Recreational use” does not include:
(i)
Boating, if each person involved is wearing the U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device required by law or regulation;
(ii)
Fishing, when a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device is worn;
(iii)
Life-saving efforts;
(iv)
Swimming or wading as part of a training course having the prior written approval of the Department of Natural Resources or U.S. Park Service.
(3)
Vessel.
(a)
“Vessel” means each description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water or ice, including ice boats. The term includes the vessel's motor, spars, sails, and accessories.
(b)
“Vessel” does not include a:
(i)
Seaplane;
(ii)
Raft with single inflation compartment;
(iii)
Tube.
Regulation .03 Prohibited Areas.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Zone A. A person may not enter the Potomac River for the purpose of recreational use in that portion of the Potomac River downstream of a line beginning at a point 200 yards above the crest of Aqueduct Dam at or near Lat. 39° 0.157' N., Long. 77° 14.850' W., then running 326° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 0.565' N., Long. 77° 15.197' W., and upstream of a line beginning at the base of Stubblefield Falls, at or near Lat. 38° 58.232' N., Long. 77° 11.458' W., then running 235° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 58.037' N., Long. 77° 11.822' W.
B.
Zone B. A person may not enter the Potomac River for the purpose of recreational use in that portion of the Potomac River downstream of a line beginning at a point 100 yards above the crest of Dam No. 1 at or near Lat. 38° 57.003' N., Long. 77° 7.635' W., then running 253° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 56.925' N., Long. 77° 7.967' W. and upstream of the Maryland-District Columbia line, beginning at a point at or near Lat. 38° 56.256' N., Long. 77° 6.940' W., then running 225° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 55.478' N., Long. 77° 7.934' W.
Regulation .04 Written Approval.LinkCopy Citation
Written approval for swimming or wading as part of a training course may be applied for by contacting the:
A.
National Park Service at the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia 22101; or
B.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Boating Services, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.
Regulation .05 Failure to Comply with Lawful Order.LinkCopy Citation
A person with or without the written approval described in Regulation .04 of this chapter may not willfully fail or refuse to comply promptly with any lawful or reasonable order or direction of any Natural Resources Police Officer or any law enforcement officer in connection with the enforcement, of Natural Resources Article, §§1-601—1-605, Annotated Code of Maryland or these regulations.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Natural Resources Article, §1-603, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date: September 7, 1987 (14:18 Md. R. 1964)
History: Regulation .03 amended effective June 24, 2013 (40:12 Md. R. 1041)
History: Regulation .04B amended effective September 3, 1990 (17:17 Md. R. 2078)