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 Potomac River, because the obstacles on that bank were of less magnitude than those on the opposite Virginia shore, the exposure was more favorable, an earlier navigation could be secured there in the spring, and a later navigation in the fall, and no aqueduct would be required at Cumberland, as Wills Creek enters the Potomac at that point from the Maryland shore. Moreover the water supply from Maryland to the Potomac exceeded that of Virginia, the rivers of the latter sending 190 cubic feet of water per second into the Potomac, and the former 267.35 cubic feet. While perhaps not fully accurate, these figures approximated the truth.

The length of the eastern section was placed at one hundred and eighty-six miles, and it was divided into eleven subdivisions marked by the following points beginning at Cumberland: South Branch of the Potomac, Great Cacapan, Licking Creek, Great Conococheague, Antietam Creek, one mile below Harper's Ferry, Monocacy River, Seneca Creek, Great Falls, Little Falls, and Georgetown. The old canal of the Potomac Company was to be used by