Potomac River Guide Home

Interactive Maps

The Lower Potomac

The Potomac Estuary

Mount Vernon to Anacostia River

Mall Area

Georgetown to Great Falls

Potomac Piedmont

Upper Potomac

The North Branch

Boat Ramps

Monitoring Sites

Bridges and Ferries

Cruises and Charters

Search Potomac Sites

Also Explore

The Hudson River GuideThe Delaware River Guide

Waffle Rock

Historic Site

Photo of Waffle Rock

Unusual rock formation that was uncovered during construction of the Jennings Randolph Reservoir. The rock is now located at the entrance to the West Virginia Overlook above the lake. The rock has a large waffle pattern that developed over millions of years as sandstone was eoroded and left cemented sand in place.

The rock was discovered by residents of Shaw, West Virginia, a town that was inundated by the lake when the dam was built in the late 1970s. Some residents speculated that the strange formations were created from the skin pattern of a giant reptile, others suggested it was evidence of space travelers on earth. Upon examination by geologists from the U.S. Corps of Engineers, and other agencies, it was concluded that the rock was a natural geologic formation. Photo: Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin.

Suggested Links

Click here for larger map and nearby sites.

Contact Information
US. Army Corps of Engineers

Elk Garden WV 26717

Website