Little Falls Branch

Little Falls Branch is a stream in Montgomery County that winds through natural areas and flows beneath the C&O Canal before emptying into the Potomac River at Little Falls rapids. The stream runs approximately 3.8 miles through this landscape.

The stream was originally called Powder Mill Branch and supplied water to Washington DC through reservoirs before the Washington Aqueduct was constructed in the 1800s. This infrastructure project transformed how the city received its water.

The Little Falls Watershed Alliance organizes over 40 annual volunteer events, connecting residents with environmental conservation activities throughout the stream valley.

Access to the stream is primarily through Little Falls Stream Valley Park, which features 160 acres of natural areas with walking paths throughout. The best time to visit is during warmer months when the trails are dry and easy to navigate.

The stream marks where the Potomac River becomes tidal and flows through culverts that demonstrate early American water management techniques from centuries past. These underground structures reveal how engineers of that era controlled water flow.