Potomac River - Fletchers Cove
Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Looking for a paddling, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking retreat? Fletcher’s Boathouse is the destination for you. With its history dating back since the 1850s, Fletcher’s boathouse remains a popular destination for paddling and fishing in the heart of Washington, D.C. The boathouse is located in a natural cove by the Potomac riverbank. Row boat, canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available on site, as well as amenities such as the Tackle Shack, restrooms, picnic tables, and biking trails. The boathouse also offers guided SUP and canoe tours. The C&O towpath and the Capital Crescent Trail are both accessible here. Parking is available through the tunnel or at the entrance near the historic Abner Cloud House on Canal Road.
**WARNING: SWIMMING IS PROHIBITED IN D.C. WATERS REGARDLESS OF THE CURRENT STATUS**
Despite its designation as a Class A Primary Contact waterway, the DC Department of Health (DOH) bans swimming in the Potomac River citing the risk of high bacteria levels after rainstorms as the only reason it is considered “unsafe” to swim. The activation of the Clean Rivers Project in DC is expected to reduce system wide combined sewage overflow by 96%, bringing the Potomac significantly closer to a swimmable river.
Water quality standards as well as the methods used to determine pass or fail status vary widely across jurisdictions and monitoring programs. We encourage users to explore the sample data in addition to checking the swim guide status. These data can be viewed through the Chesapeake Monitoring Collaborative Data Explorer, https://cmc.vims.edu/#/home
The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.
More Information
- Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for Potomac River - Fletchers Cove and 8,000 other beaches.