Rock Creek Park (Above Military Road to Pierce Mill Dam)Class II-III+(V)
4 Miles
Gauge Information
Rock Creek
Rock Creek Park II-III+(V)
River DescriptionRuns after heavy thunderstorms, the hardest rapids are near the Park Police Headquarters on Beach Drive. Be alert for the lowhead dam at Pierce Mill which is occasionally runnable on far river right (river left is a very bad keeper and very dangerous at most runnable levels). Class: III (IV) Rock Creek Park (DC): Access Secured!By Jason Robertson Great news! Rock Creek Park Police stated today that they will not prevent kayakers or canoeists from boating on the creek in the future. These statements come in response to American Whitewater's discussions with the Park's administrators after two pairs of boaters were prevented from boating on the creek when it was moderately swollen by Hurricane Dennis in September 1999. In a discussion this morning, Park Police Lieutenant Kass reported that his research confirmed that there is a CFR rule banning recreation in the creek. However, the Lieutenant's research also confirmed that former Superintendent Shields waived this regulation for kayakers and canoeists more than 20 years ago and that former Superintendent Ellerd later dropped all registration requirements in the mid-80's. The Lieutenant added that Assistant Superintendent Cox, representing Superintendent Coleman, respects her predecessor's decisions. The practical result for experienced whitewater canoeists and kayakers is that we will be permitted to continue floating the Class III (IV) creek, regardless of water level and that no special permits or permissions will be required. NOTE: MR. Kass forwarded a copy of a file to AW dated 4/27/1993, which states "Kayaking is permittted [sic] on Rock Creek- no permit needed. USPP requested that a warning sign be placed along the creek to warn of Pierce Mill Falls ahead. Park stated that they would look at it." This memo also includes a handwritten note by Lt. Kass affirming that the superintendent had upheld this decision.The Lieutenant cautioned that his staff are not trained in swift water rescue and are not lifeguards. He also explained that the DC Fire Department is responsible for all emergency calls on the creek but that the department's river rescue kit only consists of a single foam life ring. In other words, boaters must continue taking personal responsibility for their actions and personal rescues. Additionally, boaters must wear lifejackets and helmets, and be aware of the unique hazards associated with running this urban creek, including strainers, coliform and urban runoff, low bridges, and the 8-foot dam at Pierce Mill. American Whitewater wishes to thank: Ron Knipling and Martin Radigan for reporting the access problems on Rock Creek; Lieutenant Kass and Assistant Superintendent Cox for their cooperation in resolving the problem and working with us to address the issue; and Mac Thornton and Ed Gertler for sharing documents detailing the history of the 1980's access agreements with the Park's superintendents. Contact American Whitewater, if you encounter any future access difficulties on Rock Creek or other streams in the region. HEALTH ALERTIn May 2001, District Health Commissioner, Dr. Ivan Walks, issued the warning, "We are not recommending that people use Rock Creek and enter Rock Creek because of standing high bacteria levels..." Dr. Walks added that the bacteria levels in Rock Creek are too high for human contact, and have been for the last year. StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2008-03-22 10:18:40
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Rock Creek at Sherrill Drive [ DC ] |
Current Conditions
Station Graphs |
| Level Legend: | Running | Below Minimum Recommended Flow | Above Maximum Recommended Flow | Unknown |
| State | River Name/Section | Class | Level | Rel. Level | Updated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD | Cabin John Creek— River Road to Potomac | II-III | 10 cfs | low | 7/25 19:15 | |
| MD | Rock Creek— 1. Rockville to Military Road | I(II) | 10 cfs | low | 7/25 19:15 | |
| MD | Rock Creek— 2. Military Road to Potomac River in D.C. | I-III | 10 cfs | low | 7/25 19:15 | |
| DC | Rock Creek— Rock Creek Park | II-III+(V) | 10 cfs | low | 7/25 19:15 |
| AW Gauge ID: | 11034 |
| USGS Station: | 01648000 |
| HUC: | 02070010 |
| Latitude: | |
| Longitude: | |
| Class: |
No guide books for this stream. If you know of a book that describes this stream please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. User Comments |
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2007-04-22 07:39:16 (460 days ago)
Hal DuBois
The Rock Creek Park website states (in the FAQ) that boating is allowed when the level is greater than 2 ft.
Today, the level was exactly 2 ft and with the exception of two fallen trees completely blocking the creek and a few shallow spots, it was a good ride.
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2005-08-09 20:20:36 (1081 days ago)
Mark Anderson
There is a USGS stick gauge on Rock Creek. It is located at on the southwest side of a smaller bridge on Joyce Road that crosses the creek near the intersection of Beach Drive and Joyce (Joyce provides access via ramps to Military Road, which has a larger and higher bridge just to the north).<br />
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A reading of 2.5 feet on this gauge is a good paddling zero. <br />
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I have found Rock Creek to be running numerous times when Difficult Run is up. While I can't offer an exact correlation, I will say Rock Creek is worth looking at whenever the Difficult Run gauge spikes.
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2002-03-03 14:58:41 (2336 days ago)
Mark Anderson
There appears to be a new USGS stick gauge on Rock Creek. It is located at on the southwest side of a smaller bridge on Joyce Road that crosses the creek near the intersection of Beach Drive and Joyce (Joyce provides access via ramps to Military Road, which has a larger and higher bridge just to the north).
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A reading of 2.5 feet on this gauge is probably a good paddling zero.
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2001-11-14 11:34:33 (2445 days ago)
Mark Anderson
While the water quality is unquestionably questionable, the combined sewer overflows on Rock Creek are located south of the commonly-run whitewater section. The first overflows are on Piney Branch Creek and there are almost 30 from here to the mouth of the Potomac River. D.C. health warnings and decisions to boat this creek should be taken in that context. North of Piney Branch, Rock Creek is subject to more routine urban surface runoff ills, park service officials say.
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There is another gauge located on a footbridge near the bottom of the whitewater section and accessible from Beach Drive. One to three feet is good on this gauge.
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No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
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