Winding through the Nation’s capital, the Anacostia River derives its name from the Nacotchtank word Anaquash, which means “village trading center.” These waters have long been a point of confluence, whether for trade, travel, or just taking a break. In recent decades, the river has suffered pollution from industry and development, shouldered negative stigma, and furthered the divide between east and west D.C. In spite of this, the banks still serve as a hub for cookouts, fishing, rowing, volunteering, and community—and perhaps because of those things, the future of the river is looking up, with some groups working toward a goal of a swimmable and fishable river by 2025.
