# COMAR Title 08 — Department of Natural Resources

## Subtitle 18 — Boating — Speed Limits and Operation of Vessels

### Chapter 21 — Potomac River

**Authority:** Natural Resources Article, §§8-703 and 8-704, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: February 3, 1992 (19:2 Md. R. 153)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended effective July 7, 2014 (41:13 Md. R. 751)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02 amended effective July 7, 2014 (41:13 Md. R. 751)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02A amended effective May 23, 1994 (21:10 Md. R. 843)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02B amended effective July 9, 2012 (39:13 Md. R. 785)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02D—J adopted effective May 23, 1994 (21:10 Md. R. 843)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03 amended effective July 7, 2014 (41:13 Md. R. 751)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03F adopted effective September 11, 1995 (22:18 Md. R. 1399)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03A amended effective March 22, 2010 (37:6 Md. R. 477)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03B amended effective March 13, 2017 (44:5 Md. R. 291)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03G, H adopted effective May 1, 2000 (27:8 Md. R. 797)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03I adopted effective March 22, 2010 (37:6 Md. R. 477)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03I amended effective February 6, 2012 (39:2 Md. R. 140)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03J adopted effective July 9, 2012 (39:13 Md. R. 785)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04 amended as an emergency provision effective August 25, 1992 (19:18 Md. R. 1652); amended permanently effective February 1, 1993 (20:2 Md. R. 112)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04 amended as an emergency provision effective January 6, 1994 (21:2 Md. R. 94); amended permanently effective March 28, 1994 (21:6 Md. R. 466)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04 amended as an emergency provision effective November 18, 1994 (21:25 Md. R. 2092); amended permanently effective March 6, 1995 (22:4 Md. R. 236)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04 amended effective July 7, 2014 (41:13 Md. R. 751)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04A amended effective August 2, 2004 (31:15 Md. R. 1185)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04B amended effective March 22, 2010 (37:6 Md. R. 477); May 25, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 684)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05 adopted effective May 24, 1993 (20:10 Md. R. 850)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05 amended effective July 7, 2014 (41:13 Md. R. 751)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05C adopted effective February 16, 2026 (53:3 Md. R. 121)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .06 adopted as an emergency provision effective January 31, 2002 (29:4 Md. R. 411); adopted permanently effective April 29, 2002 (29:8 Md. R. 697)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .06 amended effective July 7, 2014 (41:13 Md. R. 751)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .07 adopted as an emergency provision effective December 22, 2020 (48:2 Md. R. 46); emergency provision withdrawn (48:7 Md. R. 260)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .07 adopted effective May 31, 2021 (48:11 Md. R. 428)

#### Regulation .01 Potomac River.

*COMAR 08.18.21.01*

The Potomac River encompasses all waters of the Potomac River and its tributaries westerly of a line from Point Lookout, at or near Lat. 38° 2.267'  N., Long. 76° 19.300' W., then running 156° (True) to Smith Point, at or near Lat. 37° 53.367'  N., Long. 76° 14.250' W.

#### Regulation .02 Upper Potomac River.

*COMAR 08.18.21.02*

A. The Upper Potomac River areas, with their corresponding speed limits, are set forth in §§B—J of this regulation.

B. Fish and Game Club Area. The Fish and Game Club area encompasses the area northeast of a line beginning at a point on shore, at or near Lat. 39°33.104'N., Long. 77°52.965' W., then running 214° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39º 33.066' N., Long. 77° 52.998' W., then running 123° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39º 32.696' N., Long. 77°52.256' W., then running 45° (True) to a point on shore, at or near Lat. 39°32.728' N., Long. 77° 52.215' W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.

C. Williamsport Dam. The Williamsport Dam encompasses the area beginning 200 yards above the Potomac Edison Dam at Williamsport, at or near Lat. 39° 35.810'  N., Long. 77° 49.705' W., then running 262° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 35.795'  N., Long. 77° 49.850' W., extending upriver to the bridge at U.S. Highway Route 11, at or near Lat. 39° 35.987'  N., Long. 77° 49.578' W., then running 274° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.008'  N., Long. 77° 49.938' W.  This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.

D. Dam Number 3. Dam Number 3 encompasses the area starting at Dam Number 3, at or near Lat. 39° 20.225'  N., Long. 77° 45.038' W., then running 208° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 20.127'  N., Long. 77° 45.107' W., then running 155° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 19.957'  N., Long. 77° 45.007' W., and extending upriver to a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 22.717'  N., Long. 77° 45.017' W., then running 247° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 22.667'  N., Long. 77° 45.167' W. This area has a 35-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.

E. Dam Number 4. Dam Number 4 encompasses the area starting 200 yards upriver of the Dam, at or near Lat. 39° 29.780'  N., Long. 77° 49.713' W., then running 192° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 29.633'  N., Long. 77° 49.755' W., and extending upriver to a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 33.683'  N., Long. 77° 52.550' W., then running 297° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 33.817'  N., Long. 77° 52.883' W. This area has a 35-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.

F. Dam Number 5. Dam Number 5 encompasses the area starting 200 yards upriver of the Dam, at or near Lat. 39° 36.478'  N., Long. 77° 55.425' W., then running 215° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.397'  N., Long. 77° 55.498' W., and extending upriver to a line beginning at a point , at or near Lat. 39° 36.510'  N., Long. 77° 58.058' W., then running 146° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.438'  N., Long. 77° 57.995' W., 100 yards downriver of McCoy's Ferry. This area has a 35-knot speed limit Saturdays, Sundays, and State holidays, all year.

G. Dargen Bend boat launch area encompasses the area beginning at a point 200 yards upriver of the launch ramp, at or near Lat. 39° 21.925'  N., Long. 77° 44.500' W., then running 260° (True) to a point on the opposite side of the river, at or near Lat. 39° 21.907'  N., Long. 77° 44.635' W., and extending 100 yards downriver of the launch ramp to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 21.785'  N., Long. 77° 44.432' W., then running 261° (True) to a point on the opposite side of the river, at or near Lat. 39° 21.763'  N., Long. 77° 44.600' W. This area is designated a minimum wake zone all year.

H. Big Slackwater boat launch area encompasses the area beginning at a point 200 yards upriver of the launch ramp, at or near Lat. 39° 30.138'  N., Long. 77° 50.740' W., then running 249° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 30.102'  N., Long. 77° 50.862' W., and extending 100 yards downriver of the launch ramp to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 29.993'  N., Long. 77° 50.693' W., then running 249° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 29.963'  N., Long. 77° 50.792' W.  This area is designated a minimum wake zone all year.

I. Four Locks boat launch area encompasses the area beginning at a point 200 yards upriver of the launch ramp, at or near Lat. 39° 36.803'  N., Long. 77° 56.693' W., then running 54° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.853'  N., Long. 77° 56.605' W., and extending 100 yards downriver of the launch ramp to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.913'  N., Long. 77° 56.795' W., then running 54° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.970'  N., Long. 77° 56.695' W. This area is designated a minimum wake zone all year.

J. McCoy's Ferry boat launch area encompasses the area beginning at a point 200 yards upriver of the launch ramp, at or near Lat. 39° 36.412'  N., Long. 77° 58.217' W., then running 141° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.360'  N., Long. 77° 58.162' W., then running 28° (True) to a point, and extending 100 yards downriver of the launch ramp to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.510'  N., Long. 77° 58.058' W., then running 146° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.438' N., Long. 77° 57.995' W.  This area is designated a minimum wake zone all year.

#### Regulation .03 Potomac River North Shore.

*COMAR 08.18.21.03*

A. The Potomac River north shore areas, with their corresponding speed limits, are set forth in this regulation.

B. Mattawoman Creek Area. This area is enclosed by a line beginning at a point at or near Lat. 38º34.848’N., Long. 77º10.375’W., then running 137º (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38º34.702’N., Long. 77º10.200’W. Except as otherwise restricted, the speed limit for this area is 6 knots.

C. Neal Sound encompasses the area beginning at a point on the south end of the jetty, at or near Lat. 38° 16.085'  N., Long. 76° 52.042' W., then running 169° (True) to Light "2N", at or near Lat. 38° 16.020'  N., Long. 76° 52.025' W., then running 41° (True) to the west tip of Cobb Island, at or near Lat. 38° 16.177'  N., Long. 76° 51.853' W., and running easterly through the entire sound and its tributaries to a point on the northeast tip of Cobb Island, at or near Lat. 38° 15.868'  N., Long. 76° 50.452' W., then running 41° (True) to Light "2", at or near Lat. 38° 15.938'  N., Long. 76° 50.373' W., then running 359° (True) to a point on the north shore of Neale Sound, at or near Lat. 38° 16.050'  N., Long. 76° 50.377' W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.

D. St. Patrick's Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 14.122'  N., Long. 76° 44.468' W., then running 219° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 13.940' N., Long. 76° 44.653' W. and running to the head of the creek, including all tributaries. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.

E. Whites Neck Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 15.057'  N., Long. 76° 47.560' W., then running 90° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 15.057' N., Long. 76° 47.318' W. and running to the head of the creek, including all tributaries. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.

F. Lake Conoy encompasses the area beginning at a point on the south end of the south jetty, at or near Lat. 38° 2.990'  N., Long. 76° 19.755' W., then running 308° (True) to a point on the south end of the north jetty, at or near Lat. 38° 3.0200'  N., Long. 76° 19.803' W., and east of a line beginning at a point on the south side of Lake Conoy, at or near Lat. 38° 3.2070'  N., Long. 76° 19.847' W., then running 354° (True) to a point on the northeast tip of Treasure Island, at or near Lat. 38° 3.3280'  N., Long. 76° 19.862' W., then running 356° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 3.4500'  N., Long. 76° 19.872' W.  This area has a minimum wake zone all year.

G. The Friendship Landing boat launch area of the Nanjemoy Creek encompasses the area upstream of a line beginning at a point on the south shore of Nanjemoy Creek, at or near Lat. 38° 27.170'  N., Long. 77° 8.983' W., then running 8° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 27.262'  N., Long. 77° 8.967' W.,  and downstream of a line at a point on the north shore of Nanjemoy Creek, at or near Lat. 38° 27.230'  N., Long. 77° 9.115' W., then running 170° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 27.187'  N., Long. 77° 9.105' W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.

H. The upper Nanjemoy Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point on the north shore of Nanjemoy Creek, at or near Lat. 38° 27.230'  N., Long. 77° 9.115' W., then running 170° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 27.187'  N., Long. 77° 9.105' W. and running to the head of the creek. This area has a 25-knot speed limit all year.

I. Smoot Cove encompasses all of the area east of a line beginning at the southerly tip of Rosalie Island, at or near Lat. 38°47.458'N., Long. 77°1.339'W. then running 181° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38°47.099'N., Long. 77°1.350'W., then running 199° (True) to a point on the shore at the southern entrance of Smoot Cove, at or near Lat. 38°46.825'N., Long. 77°1.473'W. This area has a minimum wake zone all year.

J. Mallows Bay encompasses all of the area east of a line beginning at a point on shore at Potomac River Fisheries Commission marker M9B at Liverpool Point, at or near Lat. 38° 27.822'N., Long. 77° 16.252’ W., then running 352° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38°28.883'N., Long. 77° 16.447'W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.

#### Regulation .04 Potomac River Prohibited Areas.

*COMAR 08.18.21.04*

A. Except for a riparian property owner and the riparian property owner's immediate family located along the prohibited portion of the Potomac River, a person may not operate a vessel in that portion of the Potomac River beginning at the crests of the dams in §A(1) and (2) of this regulation and extending for a distance of:

  (1) 200 yards upstream at:

    (a) Aqueduct Intake Dam (Great Falls) which encompasses the area upstream of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 0.002'  N., Long. 77° 14.917' W., then running 342° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 0.177'  N., Long. 77° 14.988' W., then running 327° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 0.338'  N., Long. 77° 15.125' W., then running 312° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 0.422'  N., Long. 77° 15.242' W., and downstream of a line beginning at a point, 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.;

    (b) Paul E. Smith Dam (Williamsport) which encompasses the area upstream of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 35.712'  N., Long. 77° 49.688' W., then running 262° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 35.697'  N., Long. 77° 49.833' W., and downstream of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 35.810'  N., Long. 77° 49.705' W., then running 262° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 35.795'  N., Long. 77° 49.850' W.;

    (c) Dam No. 5 (near Clearspring) which encompasses the area upstream of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.447'  N., Long. 77° 55.297' W., then running 215° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.340'  N., Long. 77° 55.393' W., and downstream of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.478'  N., Long. 77° 55.425' W., then running 215° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 36.397'  N., Long. 77° 55.498' W.;

    (d) Dam No. 4 (near Downsville) which encompasses the area upstream of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 29.758' N., Long. 77° 49.588' W., then running 192° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 29.612' N., Long. 77° 49.630' W., and downstream of a line beginning at or near Lat. 39° 29.780'  N., Long. 77° 49.713' W., then running 192° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 29.633' N., Long. 77° 49.755' W.; and

    (e) Kelly Springfield Dam (near Cumberland) which encompasses the area upstream of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 38.897'  N., Long. 78° 45.973' W., then running 33° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 38.940'  N., Long. 78° 45.937' W., and downstream of a line beginning at or near Lat. 39° 38.922' N., Long. 78° 46.065' W., then running 180° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 38.760'  N., Long. 78° 46.065' W.; and

  (2) 100 yards upstream at Dam No. 1 (Brookmont Dam) which encompasses the area upstream of a line beginning at a point at or near Lat. 38° 56.957'  N., Long. 77° 7.617' W., then running 253° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 56.878'  N., Long. 77° 7.9480’W., and downstream of a line beginning 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.

B. Adjacent to Caledon State Park, King George County, Virginia. Except for boats used in commercial fishing operations pursuant to a commercial fishing license, and operating at a 6-knot or less speed limit, and boats operated under the supervision of the Caledon State Park, all boats are prohibited from that portion of the Potomac River within 1,000 feet of the mean low water mark adjacent to Caledon State Park, King George County, Virginia, as designated by buoys, at or near Lat. 38° 22.180' N., Long. 77° 7.652' W., then running 278° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 22.227' N., Long. 77° 8.063' W., then running 275° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 22.242'N., Long. 77° 8.275' W., then running 244° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 22.168' N., Long. 77° 8.467' W., then running 221° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 21.918' N., Long. 77° 8.745' W., then running 218° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 21.662' N., Long. 77° 9.003' W., then running 213° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 21.392' N., Long. 77° 9.223' W., then running 219° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 21.145' N., Long. 77° 9.475' W., then running 228° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 20.930'N., Long. 77° 9.775' W., then running 252° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 20.835'N., Long. 77° 10.153' W., then running 248° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 20.713' N., Long. 77° 10.532' W., then running 247° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 20.650' N., Long. 77° 10.720'W. during the boating season.

#### Regulation .05 Potomac River Minimum Wake Zones.

*COMAR 08.18.21.05*

A. Chicamuxen Creek is a tributary of the Potomac River located in Charles County, encompassing the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 32.557'N., Long. 77° 13.765' W., then running 347° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 32.620'N., Long. 77° 13.783' W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has a minimum wake zone from March 1 through June 15.

B. Pomonkey Creek is a tributary of the Potomac River located in Charles County, encompassing the area beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 38° 38.050' N., Long. 77º 6.3650' W., then running 299° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 38.062' N., Long. 77° 6.3920' W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has a minimum wake zone from March 1 through June 15.

C. Westmoreland State Park.

  (1) Area. All of the waters of the Potomac River enclosed by a line beginning at a point at or near Lat. 38°10.447' N., Long. 76°52.746' W., then running 34° True to a point defined by Lat. 38°10.495' N., Long. 76°52.705' W., then running 113° True to a point defined by Lat. 38°10.340' N., Long. 76°52.248' W., then running 204° True to a point at or near Lat. 38°10.295' N., Long. 76°52.273' W., then running along the shore to the point of beginning.

  (2) The area described in §C(1) of this regulation is a minimum wake zone during the boating season.

#### Regulation .06 Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

*COMAR 08.18.21.06*

All of the Maryland waters of the Potomac River, downstream of the Woodrow Wilson (I-95) Bridge, south of a line beginning at a point on the north side of the Woodrow Wilson (I-95) Bridge, at or near Lat. 38° 47.600'  N., Long. 77° 2.263' W., then running 88° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 47.617' N., Long. 77°1.532' W., and upstream of a line beginning at the Maryland-District of Columbia Line Pile “DC1A”, at or near Lat. 38° 47.480' N.,, Long. 77° 2.360' W., then running 89° (True) to a point on the Maryland shore, at or near Lat. 38° 47.495'  N., Long. 77°1.448' W. This area has a 6-knot speed limit all year.

#### Regulation .07 Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge.

*COMAR 08.18.21.07*

A. Area. All of the waters of the Potomac River upstream of a line beginning at a point defined by Lat. 38° 21’ 04.07” N, Long. 77° 0’ 58.24” W; then running 82° True to a point defined by Lat. 38° 21’ 24.78” N, Long. 76° 58’ 36.89” W; and downstream of a line beginning at a point defined by Lat. 38° 22’ 18.25” N, Long. 76° 59’ 04.53” W; then running 260° True to a point defined by Lat. 38° 22’ 03.52” N, Long. 77° 0’ 56.60” W.

B. The area described in §A of this regulation has a 6-knot speed limit all year.

C. This regulation shall be effective through December 31, 2024.