Telephone Level Readings:
USGS: (703) 260-0305 (recorded)
Army Corps, North Branch: (410) 962-7687 (recorded)
Bloomington Dam: (304) 355-2346 (live)
Online Levels:
NOAA
MARFC
Savage
River below Dam
Kitzmiller
Cumberland
Paw
Paw
Hancock
Little
Falls
Click for a overview map.
Great web site of the Potomac by a local paddler - a lot of maps, rapid descriptions and photos.
North Branch: Steyer, Md to Kitzmiller, Md
13 miles of continuous class III to IV. Ledgy and rocky up to the
junction of the Stoney, then the water volume and gradient
increases. Continous action with very few eddies, so be sure you
got plenty of sleep the night before. Runnable in the spring, or
after rainfall. Gauge on Md side of bridge pier at Kitzmiller.
4.5 to 6 foot is the optimum level.
North Branch: Bloomington, Md to Keyser, W.Va.
Class II run through Dans Mountain Gorge. Attractive scenery once
you leave the Westernport town area. Coordinate your run with a
release from the Bloomington or Savage River Dam. Cumberland
gauge should be above 3 foot.
North Fork of South Branch: Dolly Camp Grounds to Smoke
Hole Caverns
5 miles of class II-III rapids though the Hopeville Canyon. A
dozen and a half rapids providing a chance to practice your boat
control. Runnable levels are 2.3-5 foot on the Petersburg gauge.
South Branch: US 220 to Smoke Hole Campgrounds
A senic 5 mile run of class II-III, with a possible portage at
the start of the canyon. Continue down below this run for more
good scenery, but lesser rapids. The Petersburg gauge should be
at least 3 foot.
Harpers Ferry to Point of Rocks
13 miles of class I - III. Major rapids are a ledgy staircase
called the Needles, and a series of ledges (the second of which
is Whitehorse rapids) after the Shenandoah enters. Runnable all
summer long, with the Needles becoming scratchy in a dry summer.
Levels over 5' on Hancock gauge indicates high water.
Great Falls to Washington, D.C.
Excellent metropolitan boating. Highlights include Mather Gorge,
Rocky Island Rapid, Wet Bottom Chute, Yellow Falls, and
Stubblefield Falls down to Brookmont Dam. The drop down Little
Falls to Chain Bridge takeout puts you in the tidal section of
the Potomac. Take a look at the Great Falls at put-in and try to
imagine the annual Great Falls downriver race. 3.5-4.5 on the
Brookmont gauge give the best ride above Brookmont, but levels
under 3.2 is safest for Little Falls.
| This information is my opinion only
and may not reflect actual conditions. It is based on my usually hazy memory, and should not be used to decide whether you or your guides are qualified to run the river. |
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