Warnings For The Chesapeake And Ohio Canal
Be Safe Out There
I ride my bike and camp alone the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in all types of weather
throughout the year and I know how easy it is to loose yourself in it's solitude and be drawn
in by it's beauty. However, under all that makes up this lost world called the C&O, there's
also a dangerous side to it. Below are the latest warnings available from sources including,
but not limited to, The National Park Service, the Virginia Cooperative Extension and from all
the great folks that have sent information to me. Thanks!
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No reported closures at this time.
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Canal WarningsCaution should be used in all areas of the Canal.
Always use designated trails. The canal passes many treacherous areas including deep ravines, shear cliffs, and caves. Children should always by monitored by adults.
STAY OUT OF THE WATER! Deep mud, fallen debris, and deep water are just a few of the dangers that exist there.
Ice-skating is allowed ONLY in designated areas. You should contact the National Park Service for locations.
DO NOT ENTER ANY STRUCTURES!Many canal structures are unstable and dangerous. Entering could result in injury.
Never enter a cave unless you know what you are doing and come prepared. Under no circumstance should anyone enter a cave alone.
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Towpath WarningsThe condition of the towpath varies along its 184.5-mile journey ranging from smooth clay/gravel to rough and rocky to sticky mud. Caution should be exercised at all times while traveling along the towpath.
Do Not Trespass
The C&O Canal passes by many privately owned properties. Trespassing is illegal and you could be arrested if you are found doing so.
No motor vehicles are allowed on the towpath.
Tow Path Closed
- Between Dam 4 and McMahons Mill due to flood Damage. Repairs to this section has been delayed for many years. It is unclear if and when work will be completed.
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River WarningsThe following areas of the Potomac River are EXTREMELY DANGEROUS:
Chain Bridge - Canoeing is not advisable from Chain Bridge upstream to Great Falls where many have drowned.
Great Falls - Canoeing is not advisable from Great Falls downstream to Chain Bridge where many have drowned.
Dam 2 at Seneca - Low dam.
Dam 3 to the U.S. 340 bridge - Low dam but easily identified. Canoeing is not recommended in this area.
Power company dam at Williamsport
Dam 5 - High dam
Pittsburgh Plate Glass Plant Dam - Low water dam.
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Insect WarningsThe following insects can be found along the C&O Canal and should be avoided.
Baldfaced hornet - The white or light yellowish markings on the face, thorax and part of the abdomen help to identify this hornet. It's nest looks like a "bloated football" high off the ground in a tree or bush. There is, usually, a single entrance opening at the lower end of the nest.
European hornet - A stout hornet approximately 1-inch long. The color of the head and thorax is dark reddish brown with deep yellow and brown black markings on the abdomen. The markings on the abdomen are similar to the markings found on yellow jackets. The European hornet resembles the cicada killer wasp but is more robust and has more hair on the thorax and abdomen (but is not as hairy as a bee).
Stinging Caterpillars
Contact with any of the caterpillars below can cause a burning sensation and inflammation that can be as painful as a bee sting. The irritation can last from one to five days and may be accompanied by nausea during the first day. In most cases the area of contact reddens and swells much like a bee sting.
A person stung by a poisonous caterpillar should immediately wash the affected area to remove any insect hairs and poison that remain. An ice pack will help reduce swelling, and creams and lotions containing steroids will lessen the discomfort and promote healing. Persons known to be sensitive to insect stings should consult a physician.
Puss Caterpillar - This strange looking caterpillar is completely covered with long, silken, brownish hairs. Hidden among the hairs are short, poisonous spines. The poisonous hairs or spins are hollow and connected to underlying poison glands.
Buck Moth Caterpillar - Usually found in early summer, mainly in June has long branched spines and tufts of shorter spines cover the body. It is often confused with spiny elm caterpillars and gypsy moth caterpillars which are also active at that time. The poisonous hairs or spines are hollow and connected to underlying poison glands.
Saddleback Caterpillar - About an inch long with poisonous spines on four large projections (tubercles) and many smaller ones that stick out from the sides of its body. The "saddle" consists of an oval purplish-brown spot in the middle of a green patch on the back. Saddleback caterpillars feed on the leaves of basswood, chestnut, cherry, plum, oak, and other trees and shrubs.
Hagmoth Larvae - This Larvae is considered extremely bizarre in appearance with short, dark brown hairs and have nine pairs of fleshy appendages, some of which are long and twisted. Rose, sassafras, alder, and spirea are among their favorite hosts.
Hackberry leaf slug - Can grow to about an inch long and has six small tufts of hair on each segment. Its body is off-white with a large purple patch on the back. Hackberry leaves are its preferred food. The caterpillar's stinging bristles are incorporated into their cocoon to protect the pupa and can be found in late summer.
IO Moth Caterpillar - Up to 2 ½ inches long, they are a beautiful pale green color with white and red stripes on the sides. Short spines radiate from numerous tubercles on the back. These larvae feed on alder, ash, birch, cherry, elm, locust, oak, sassafras, and other deciduous trees and herbaceous plants. They are not uncommon in corn fields.
Poisonous Insects
Anyone having been stung or biten by insects listed below should seek immediate treatment at the closest hospital.
Black Widow - The female is usually black with a red spot or hourglass- shaped mark on its round abdomen. The male usually has light streaks on its abdomen. Black widow spiders are common around wood piles, and are frequently encountered when homeowners carry firewood into the house. Also found under eaves, in boxes, outdoor toilets, meter boxes, and other unbothered places.
Black widow bites are sharp and painful, and the victim should go to the doctor immediately for treatment.
Scorpions - Although there has never been a reported case of a sting from a scorpion on the C&O, there are claims of sightings in the Cumberland area. I'd rather be safe then sorry.
The abdomen is broadly joined to the head area and is differentiated into two parts consisting of a broad seven-segmented front portion and a much narrower five-segmented rear portion that terminates in a stinger. They hunt mainly at night and have been known to climb into boots and blankets searching for shelter and warmth.
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Plants causing Rhus-dermatitis
If you think you may have been exposed to any of the plants below, wash immediately with soap and water and remove any clothes that may have the oil on them.
Poison ivy - Dangerous all year round, occurs on sandy, stony, or rocky shores of streams, rivers, and lakes; it sprouts in thickets, along the borders of woods, and in wood openings. Toxin appears as a thick, sticky oil on all parts of the plant. You can get an irritation from the leaves, roots, berries, and even smoke from burning the vines.
Poison sumac - Appears as a tall shrub or small tree with 6-12 leaflets arranged in pairs, and an additional single leaflet at the end of the midrib. The small yellowish green flowers, borne in clusters, mature into whitish green fruits that hang in loose clusters 10-30 cm in length. Most exposures accure when the fruits are broken open allowing contact with the skin.
Poison Oak - Similar to poison ivy in appearance. However, leaflets of poison oak have rounded tips, whereas leaflets of poison ivy have tips that are pointed. Toxin appears as a thick, sticky oil on all parts of the plant. You can get an irritation from the leaves, roots, berries, and even smoke from burning the vines.
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Wildlife WarningsBlack Bear - The American black bear is a medium size bear, weighing between 130 and 660 pounds with a total body length of 50 to 75 inches. The black bear can be found in many color phases from black, chocolate brown, cinnamon brown, pale blue (known as glacier bears) to white (known as Kermode bears). A black bear will often have a brown muzzle and may have a lighter color patch on its chest. Its feet are equipped with strong, highly curved claws.
Mink/Long-tailed weasel - Looking very simular, these very bold and ferocious animals should never be approached. They tend to be solitary, mainly nocturnal, and are active throughout the year.
Raccoon - Has a stocky, heavily furred body with mixed gray, brown, and black hair, a pointed face with a black facemask, hand like forepaws, and a bushy black ringed tail.
Copperhead - There are a lot of these around (studies suggest up to six per acre in perfect conditions) and can be found during the warm months almost anywhere along the towpath. Compared to most snakes these are short and thick looking and tend to move in a straighter form of slither. (They don't wiggle as much to move). Although these are poisonous, it is really only dangerous to very small children and animals because they only strike when threatened. They are very docile when caught but will strike if aggravated
Cotton Mouth/Water Moccasin - You won't find any on the canal or in the Potomac River. Many people claim to have seen them but what they are really seeing is the non-poisonous Northern Water Snake or the Red belly Water Snake. Both are found in and around the Potomac.
Timber Rattlesnake - Timber Rattlesnakes are known to live in mountainous regions of Virginia including the counties along the northern Potomac. These are very rare and it's unlikely you will ever see one.
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