Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a unique 700-acre National Park Service site in Washington, D.C., devoted to aquatic plants and encompassing a historic water garden, a freshwater tidal marsh, and the adjacent Anacostia River. The park's core is a network of 45 managed ponds separated by earthen dikes, all fed by the Anacostia River, which is a freshwater tidal system. This creates a hybrid environment where river fish move into the garden ponds and marsh. The landscape is characterized by dense aquatic vegetation, including water lilies, lotus, wild rice, and cattails, which provide extensive cover and habitat. The area is a significant birding location with over 250 species recorded.