The ports of the Washington metropolitan area.

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston UniversityThere is much interest in developing the ports of the Washington Metropolitan Area at the present time. A plan is now under study to deepen the channel in the Potomac River from the Chesapeake Bay to Washington to 36 feet. An important reason for the interest in these ports is to introduce new industry into the area. [TRUNCATED] The hinterland of the ports of the Washington area is the Washington Metropolitan Area. The metropolitan area has no large scale source or destination of waterborne goods. The industry in this area, printing, fertilizer, manufacturing and construction, is already served by the ports. Under these conditions, dredging a 36 foot channel from the Chesapeake Bay to Washington does not seem justified. However, a 27 foot channel might be economically justifiable. The ports of the Washington Metropolitan Area need a port organization to coordinate activities, plan and carry out development