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Protecting the Canal since 1954

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Association is an independent, all-volunteer citizens organization established in 1954 to help conserve the natural and historical environment of the C&O Canal and the Potomac River Basin. The association works with the National Park Service in its efforts to preserve and promote the 184-mile towpath.
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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal lock 27, Spinks Ferry, Montgomery County, Maryland.
This lock was built with Seneca Red sandstone in 1831 and was sometimes known as Campbell's lock or "Camels Lock".
The stone to construct this lock was boated some 5 miles down the Potomac River from Point of Rocks to this location, as well as from Lee's quarry near Seneca, and from ledges 2 and 1/2 mi north of this location.
The lock was extended on the upper end in 1881-82 with wooden cribs and planking in order to allow for the passage of two boats instead of one.
The stone lock house remains on the towpath side.
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Scheduled Closure:

The McCoys Ferry Road Tunnel (mile 108.5) is scheduled to be closed beginning June 29. This closure is expected to last several weeks.

The towpath will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the project.
For more information on the project and park closures, visit our project webpage at go.nps.gov/threetunnels

NPS Photo from the inside of the McCoys Ferry Tunnel.
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