Anyone here paddled the Potomac near DC?

[737driver]

I just flew into DCA from the northwest and noticed just outside the capital that the section above was filled with what looks like class III to V. I would've taken pics, but was busy staying clear of the restricted no fly zone over the White House. Didn't want any missile launchers aimed at me! Nevertheless, it would be a cool road trip to come kayak in the nation's capital!

[Fish]

Great Falls of the Potomac is a very cool series of class 5 drops. Many different lines, some not so good to try. VA side is a bit easier, center lines are more interesting. If you haven't been before, I would definitely ask/follow the locals who know the lines. A** kickings are not much fun in the middle of that thing.

Below Great Falls there are several miles of class 2 - 3+ drops, which are a relatively sane alternative to Great Falls proper. Again, locals (of which there are many) can give you beta on take out and such.

Good luck!

- Fish

[Mike_P]

A nice write up: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/cont ... l/id/5564/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[737driver]

Thanks! I won't be doing the class V stuff, but just wondered about it. I knew it had to be big water, because it looked violent from a mile high!

[MaxTexan]

Great falls and the rapids below is where the river falls off the piedmont onto the coast plain. There are several rivers that exhibit this behavior in the area. Big gunpowder falls just north of Baltimore is an example.

Devil's creek rapid is just upstream from Angler's Inn put-in. The Maryland chute is a great play spot. The wave is breaking 2-3 feet tall with a deep recovery pool. Really cool.

There is wide central chute. The Virginia chute has two spots that offer play at various times. Really great place.

You can attain the Maryland chute in most boats and then paddle up to lower parts of great falls.

Another really cool urban play spot is on the Delaware above Philly. At higher levels, 8000 cfs, water runs through an old mill chute creating a great wave. The first place that I saw surf boards on a river. Of course then there is Tochikon creek just a bit further upstream. And the play spot at Hope.

My parents use to live in Wilmington DE and I traveled to the DC area for work. Paddled a lot of creeks /rivers in the area while they were alive.

[737driver]

A tragedy happened here yesterday. I just saw this on the weather channel. Be safe people!
http://m.washingtonpost.com/local/two-k ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;