Great Falls, Virginia – On November 9th, 2001 Superintendent Audrey Calhoun announced the availability of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for “Improvements to Trails and Overlooks at Great Falls Park, Virginia,” a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

The proposed action is based on the fact that the overlooks are currently “in a deteriorating condition, visually incompatible with the surroundings, and inaccessible to disabled visitors.”

The assessment also notes that numerous social trails have been established as a result of visitors leaving the established trail system. This may be of concern to boaters, depending on how the proposed improvements do or do not address access trails at Fishermen’s Eddy immediately below Great Falls and at Rocky Island.

Following a cursory review, we have observed that ALTERNATIVES B, C, and C1 all recommend improving Fisherman’s Eddy Access for kayakers, rafters, and anglers. However the Park’s preferred alternative (C1) recommends deferring improvement of the Fishermen’s Eddy Access “pending future investigations to determine whether such improvements are sustainable and feasible.” American Whitewater is leaning towards supporting ALTERNATIVE C1 with the caveat that trail safety improvements to river level at Fishermen’s Eddy be implemented immediately. Visit our website for updates on our final evaluation of the proposed alternatives.

The 52-page assessment is available on-line as a PDF at www.nps.gov/gwmp/pphtml/newseventslist.html. The deadline for comments is December 14th, 2001. Comments should be sent to:

Superintendent Calhoun
Geoerge Washington Memorial Parkway
c/o Turkey Run Park
Mclean, VA 22101

American Whitewater’s Comments on the EA

Superintendent Calhoun
George Washington Memorial Parkway
c/o Turkey Run Park
Mclean, VA 22101
November 12, 2001

American Whitewater is a national non-profit organization with over 8,500 individual whitewater boating enthusiasts and more than 165 local canoe club affiliates, representing approximately 80,000 whitewater paddlers. We represent more than 5,000 boaters within an hour’s drive of the Potomac. American Whitewater was organized in 1957 to protect and enhance the recreational enjoyment of whitewater sports in America. The organization is dedicated to safety, education, and the conservation of America’s whitewater rivers. Our mission is to conserve America’s whitewater resources and enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.

Dear Superintendent Calhoun,

Thank you for working to improve Great Falls viewing and access opportunities on the Virginia shore of the Potomac under the aegis of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for “Improvements to Trails and Overlooks at Great Falls Park, Virginia.”. American Whitewater supports Alternative C1 with the caveat that trail safety improvements to river level at Fishermen’s Eddy be implemented immediately under the final EA.

As you know, fishermen, tourists, nature photographers, park rangers, and thousands of whitewater kayakers and canoers access the Potomac River below Great Falls at Fishermen’s Eddy every year. Hundreds more make the hike down to the water every May during American Whitewater’s Potomac Whitewater Festival event.

The Fishermen’s Eddy Access is of recreational, cultural, and historic interest to our membership and the local boating community. It is one of only two legitimate Potomac River access points that boaters can use below Great Falls on the Virginia shore. The second is a little less than a mile downriver near Rocky Island and the nationally famous Rocky Island Surf Wave. Boaters who visit the Potomac from the Virginia side generally park, hike down to and launch at Fishermen’s Eddy, paddle down to Rock Island, and complete the loop by hiking back to their cars. Many boaters are serious when they say that the hike down to Fishermen’s Eddy is the most dangerous part of their whitewater run on the Potomac.

I personally have made the hike both up and down to the river at least two thousand times since I first visited the Park to go kayaking in 1993. As with virtually any river access, this involved humping the boat on my shoulder and then hiking to the river. While I am young and athletic, the footing is not a deterrent for me. However, the access at Fishermen’s Eddy is particularly daunting and does pose as a deterrent for many other boaters because of the triple threats posed by the steep terrain, slick rocks, and exposed pipe they encounter on their hike down to the river level. American Whitewater’s comments are written on the behalf of these visitors.

The steep terrain would not be especially difficult in its natural state; however years of use and unmanaged modifications have created some uniquely difficult risk exposure for visitors. The trail is composed of loose rocks ranging in size from softballs to basketballs to small refrigerators. I have been witness to the placement and movement of these rocks by both Park Rangers, Park Volunteers, and visitors for their personal comfort and aide.

The trail is made more difficult by the water seeping from the ground at the trailhead, which appears to be fed by drainage from the field behind the overlooks. There is never all that much of this water; however, during high use periods of the day, the rocks can quickly become unusually slippery as it is tracked up and down by tourists, fishermen, and boaters.

Finally, access is made even more difficult by the exposed iron pipe, which is located under the undeveloped portion of the trail. The pipe is angled in such a way that it provides especially slick footing for visitors. It is my understanding that this pipe may have historic significance related to the forge. However, I am not clear on why the pipe is exposed in such a vulnerable position.

ALTERNATIVES B, C, and C1 all recommend improving Fisherman’s Eddy Access for kayakers, rafters, and anglers. However each of the various alternatives, including the Park’s preferred alternative (C1), appear on a close reading to recommend deferring improvement of the Fishermen’s Eddy Access. In fact ALTERNATIVE C1 suggests delaying trail development “pending future investigations to determine whether such improvements are sustainable and feasible.” Based on my earlier observations of the Fishermen’s Eddy Access, I strongly recommend modifying the final decision to reflect an immediate intention to improve the trail access.

American Whitewater supports ALTERNATIVE C1 with the caveat that some trail safety improvements to river level at Fishermen’s Eddy be implemented immediately. These trail improvements should, at a minimum, result in (1) a resurfacing of the iron pipe, and (2) redirection of surface drainage on the plateau away from the trail to the river. If plans can be developed for a hardened access trail or stairway for about 30 feet from a point beginning at the approximate soil line before the bouldery scree slope and ending at the approximate point where the upstream cliff face opens to the Fishermen’s Eddy Access bench, that would also be of great service to visiting river enthusiasts.

Finally, American Whitewater encourages the removal of the garish hurricane fencing at the head of the Fishermen’s Eddy trail.

Please call me at 301-589-9453 if you have any questions about American Whitewater’s recommendations for a modified alternative C1. I also extend an invitation to call me to discuss (1) any river use management questions you may have, or (2) signage at the Fishermen’s Eddy trailhead regarding river safety and shoreside recreation.

Sincerely,

{SIGNED}

Jason D. Robertson
ACCESS DIRECTOR