Potomac River

The Potomac River is a waterway that traverses through Appalachia and the Capital Wasteland.The Lone Wanderer: "Where is Arefu?"Lucy West: "Arefu is northwest of Megaton on an old overpass over the Potomac. If you follow what's left of the river, you can't miss it."(Lucy West's dialogue)
==Background==
By 2277, the river's flow in the Capital Wasteland seems to have mostly ceased, as the entire region is arid. The mostly dry riverbed has pockets of moderately radioactive water and is filled with detritus. Mirelurks make their home where the river has water, and those are hunted by the locals for food. After the activation of Project Purity, its Tidal Basin will fill with clean pure water, resulting in the Brotherhood having to clear out the mirelurk corpses washing ashore.
==Layout==
The river starts its flow from two locations, its North Branch in West Virginia and its South Branch in Virginia. After the two branches meet, the Potomac flows as the border between the Eastern and Columbia Commonwealths, and the states of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, until it reaches Chesapeake Bay. Its waters flow into the Tidal Basin, and just past this, the Anacostia River merges with the Potomac.
Where the river flows just north of D.C. to the end of the map, the river is full.
==Notes==
===Fallout 3===
* During the unmarked quest Lincoln's Profit Margins, the antique Lincoln coin collection can be given to Leroy Walker. Should this option be taken, he will comment that since he cannot burn pennies, he will instead throw them into the Potomac.The Lone Wanderer: "I have a collection of pennies with Lincoln's face on them."Leroy Walker: "Not exactly something that will rally slaves, eh? I'll give you 15 caps for it."The Lone Wanderer: ""Leroy Walker: "Sure, why not. Hmm. Can't burn pennies. I'll have to toss them into the Potomac."(Leroy Walker's dialogue)
* Shawna, the teacher and the curator of the Museum of Dave, mentions the Potomac as part of the museum tour.Shawna: "Dave is a world-renowned marksman, known for shooting an apple out of the hand of a Raider from across the Potomac."(Shawna's dialogue) 
===Fallout 76===
* During the quest The Elusive Crane, if Roper is convinced that Crane's treasure is in D.C., he will mention the Potomac, noting that the journey to the capital would involve crossing the river.Vault Dweller: "[Charisma 8+] [Lie] The treasure's not in Appalachia. It's in DC. So there's no reason for you to harass The Wayward about it."Roper: ""(Roper's dialogue)
* Jameson Grillo and Aaron Bradie left a message on the Shelters Claim Center terminal that they were having trouble finding food and planned on following the Potomac south toward a warmer climate.Shelters Claim Center terminal entries; Shelters Claim Center terminal; Communications Logs; Re: Moving on - 12/01/2077
==Appearances==
The Potomac River appears and .
==Behind the scenes==
The Potomac River is based on the real-world river of the same name.
==See also==
* Project Purity
* Jefferson Memorial
==References==
Category:Fallout 3 unmarked locations
Category:Fallout 76 unmarked locations
Category:Appalachian rivers
de:Potomac River
es:Río Potomac
fr:Rivière Potomac
pl:Potomak
ru:Потомак
zh:波托马克河
uk:Потомак