Welcome to:
Enjoy the Anacostia
A website developed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and its member agencies to provide all you need to know about the Anacostia watershed.
Click here to learn more about what a watershed is!
Where is the Anacostia?
The Anacostia watershed (the area of land that drains into the Anacostia River) covers 176 square miles. Of that area, approximately 48% is located in Prince George's County, and 35% is located in Montgomery County, Maryland. The remaining 17% of the watershed is located in the District of Columbia. The river and its watershed are home to over 70 species of fish, some 200 species of birds, and more than 800,000 people.
While once heavily polluted, investments in major restoration efforts are paying off. Water quality is enhancing, fish and wildlife habitats are improving, and opportunities for recreation, leisure, and adventure are growing!
Do you live in the Anacostia watershed?
Enter your address—or the address of your favorite park or trail—and see if it is located within the Anacostia (the shaded area of this map). Then click on the colored subwatersheds to learn more about them!
How to Use this Site:
Navigate through the four main tabs to learn about:
Where you can go to recreate in the Anacostia watershed and what events are taking place—Enjoy It.
What you can do yourself to help the Anacostia and how to get involved—Keep It Clean.
What steps have been taken to better the Anacostia River, its tributaries, and its surrounding lands—How It’s Improving.
Why a healthy watershed is so important socially, economically, and environmentally—Value it.
Have you been out to #EnjoyTheAnacostia?
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About the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership:
In 2006, the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership (AWRP) was created to focus restoration efforts and recreate the watershed as an asset. In 1990, the first Anacostia restoration project was completed. By the end of 2018, over 9,000 projects had been completed. The Partnership has contributed to the success of this conservation effort and has helped restore this amenity for the Metro-DC community.