The Potomac and the Anacostia rivers show signs of improvement

After years of neglect, the Anacostia joins the Potomac River as a focus of major cleanup efforts. Although both rivers remain in poor condition, there are hints of improvements.

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Margie Orrick and her fellow teammates of the Rock Creek Rowing club practice on the Potomac River at Thompson Boat Center in Rock Creek National Park in Washington.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Participants in the Nation's Triathlon swim in the Potomac past the Lincoln Memorial on Sept. 14, 2008.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

Volunteers, sponsored by Earth Conservation Corps, a local group that works with at-risk District youth, clean debris out of the Anacostia River during their 42nd annual Earth Day Cleanup in Washington on April 21, 2012.

Mary F. Calvert / For The Washington Post

Volunteers pick up trash along the Potomac on April 5, 2008, as part of an annual river cleanup at Belle Haven Park.

James M. Thresher / The Washington Post

An aerial view of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, center back, Key Bridge, center, and Memorial Bridge, foreground, and the Potomac River in Washington.

Cliff Owen / AP

Ducks paddle in the Potomac River, which has improved in water quality according to a 2010 U.S. Geological Survey report. The study shows that the key pollutants in the Potomac River have been cut by half downstream from areas of the river below the Chain Bridge.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

The waterfalls at Great Falls Park in McLean. As the Potomac River accelerates into this area, hitting jagged cliffs and boulders, it creates a thunderous roar. At the cliffs' edge you can watch herons stalk their prey in freshly aerated pools. Just down a path turtles, frogs and Canada geese share a gentle marsh. Photo taken from Overlook 1 at dusk.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

Charles County waterman Billy Rice, shown in July 2011, goes out every day from a creek on the Potomac River to haul in the catch from some of his 600 pots.

Algerina Perna / Baltimore Sun

Melinda Rice holds a crab she and her husband, Billy Rice, caught in a creek on the Potomac River in Virginia in July 2011.

Algerina Perna / Baltimore Sun

Scientists use small clams like aquatic bloodhounds to sniff out sources of toxic pollution in the Anacostia River and its tributaries in Prince George's County.

/ The Washington Post

A rower heads south on the Anacostia River in the early morning light near Langston Golf Course in Washington in September 2011.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

View of the Anacostia at high tide, which hides garbage and debris in the river in Washington, in July 2011. Although there has been a concerted effort to clean up the Anacostia, it still has a ways to go.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

Lavette Spears, shown in July 2011, worked with the Earth Conservation Corps cleaning up garbage in the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Spears had dropped out of school and lost interest in learning. But since joining the ECC, she has fallen in love with the river.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

Volunteers, including Jason Kopp (in boat), clean debris out of the Anacostia River during their 42nd annual Earth Day Cleanup in Washington, on April 21, 2012.

Mary F. Calvert / For The Washington Post

View of a blue, gooey substance collecting on silt at low tide along the shores of the Anacostia River in Washington in July 2011.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

Volunteer Judy Bonior cleans debris out of the Anacostia River during the 42nd annual Earth Day Cleanup in Washington on April 21, 2012.

Mary F. Calvert / For The Washington Post

Liz Shirley, left, helps guide third-graders Elizabeth Marshall, Tumani Preheim-Pwelle and Kathryn Axcume on the Anacostia River in October 2011.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

A turtle finds a safe place to sun on a floating lily pad at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Summer is the best time to see the aquatic gardens that are teeming with life. Dragonflies, bees and frogs are abundant in these acres of protected aquatic life along the Anacostia River.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

The Yards Park, in early spring bloom, offers a shady spot to enjoy the Anacostia River before a game at Nationals Park two blocks away.

Michael Temchine / For The Washington Post

Kids splash in the pool at Yards Park, a park that opened in 2010 near the Navy Yard and features a view of the Anacostia River.

Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District

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