The Potomac's sweeping bends cradle much American history and enfold landscapes of great and varied beauty. Draining almost 15,000 square miles in four states and reflecting the nation’s capital as it flows to the Chesapeake Bay, it supplies water for people, crops, and industry and supports a variety of fish and wildlife. Its watershed is home to countless communities and historic and cultural resources associated with the birth and evolution of our nation. And it is a source of outdoor recreation for increasing millions of Americans.