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Potomac (River of the United States)

a river of the United States, formed by two branches which rise in the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia, and unite 15 miles S. E. of Cumberland, Md., from which point the river flows in a generally S. E. course after forming an estuary nearly 100 miles long, and from 2½ to 7 miles wide.

The largest ships can ascend to Washington. A few miles above Washington the river forms a cataract 35 feet high; and between there and Westport it falls more than 1,000 feet. The scenery in this portion of its course is wild and beautiful, especially where it breaks through the Blue Ridge at Harper's Ferry. Its principal affluents are the Shenandoah, Cacapon, and Monocacy.

The Potomac forms the greater part of the boundary between Virginia and Maryland.