Monocacy River, River system in Maryland, United States
Monocacy River is a river in Maryland, formed where Marsh Creek and Rock Creek meet near the Pennsylvania border. From there it flows south through farmland and wooded stretches before reaching the Potomac River.
Long before European settlers arrived, indigenous peoples used the river as a travel and trade route through the region. In the summer of 1864, a Civil War battle was fought on its banks, where Union forces slowed a Confederate advance toward Washington.
The name Monocacy comes from a Shawnee word that refers to the many bends of the river. Walking along the banks, visitors can see exactly why: the river curves repeatedly through the Maryland countryside in wide, unhurried loops.
The river has several launch points for canoes and kayaks, making it possible to paddle different sections depending on the time of year. Water levels change with the seasons, so checking conditions before heading out is a good habit.
At one point, the river does not pass under the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal but rather through an aqueduct that carries the canal's water above the river. This allowed canal boats to cross the river without leaving the water, which was a practical solution at the time.
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