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Plans underway to remove final barge from river

By Toni Milbourne - For the Chronicle | Jun 17, 2022

Christiana Hanson, was named the C&O Canal Chief of Interpretation, Education and Volunteers on April 28, 2020. Courtesy photo

HARPERS FERRY — Contractors have finalized a plan and will initiate recovery operations to remove the larger of two barges that had come loose on May 8 and floated down the Potomac River.

The barges had been secured by contractors performing work at McMahon’s Mill in Williamsport, Md., according to Christiana Hanson, chief of interpretation, education and volunteers with the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

The smaller of the two barges, previously held by the water currents at Potomac Dam No. 4, was safely pulled away from the dam on May 12 and has been completely removed from the river, Hanson said.

“The excavator and other smaller equipment that came off the deck of the smaller barge are visible with the water levels down,” Hanson said, mentioning the contractor is currently developing a plan to recover the equipment.

The larger barge is currently in place on the remnants of Potomac Dam No. 3. Contractors estimate it will take at least four weeks to remove the barge, Hanson said, adding the efforts are weather-dependent and may be delayed or prolonged by rain or flooding.

To secure public safety, the Potomac Street Extension/Armory Canal Trail will be closed to the public at the trail’s south end (gated) and access to Potomac Street off Bakerton Road will be closed to the public, Hanson reported. All river users are recommended to stay as far to the Maryland shore as possible to avoid the area.