Potomac
2. GW Canal Loop or Violettes Lock/Riley's Lock to Pennyfield Lock(GW Canal or Seneca Breaks)
| Difficulty | II |
| Length | 3.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Potomac River Near Wash, Dc Little Falls Pump Sta |
| Flow Rate as of 32 minutes | 3.08 ftmedium runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 5, 2026 |
River Description
[ It has come to our recent (2025) attention that the take-out trail for the C&O Canal paddle back up to Violette's Lock has become very muddy/slippery and difficult for older or disabled paddlers to navigate without slipping and falling or requiring help. If there are concerns, consider running a shuttle down to Pennyfield Lock and taking out there.]
The channels between the islands on the Virginia side of the Potomac at the mile long stretch known as the Seneca Breaks provide an excellent run for paddlers who are working on their skills. Rock walls from George Washington's Patowmack Canal, constructed in the 1790s to carry boats around the Breaks, are still visible in places, giving this run its nickname of the 'GW Canal'. The rapids are Class II in nature and are appropriate for practiced novice and higher skilled boaters. The river seems to pick up a lot of strainers here, so be on the lookout for ever changing obstructions. The river can also be run down the main channel but this isn't the traditional run.
If the C & O Canal on the Maryland side of the river contains water, or if levels allow an attain up the main channel, this run has the additional advantage of being able to be run as a loop. If the C&O Canal is dewatered (which it is usually in the winter) a shuttle can be set downstream at Pennyfield Lock. The canal's towpath can be used to get those shuttling on foot or bike back upstream.
Accessed from Riley's Lock or Violettes Lock along the C & O Canal (see directions below). At Riley's Lock, put in at either the floating boat dock or the boat ramp and paddle down Seneca Creek to the Potomac. At Violettes, walk across the canal bridge and follow a faint trail to the right and down to the river bank at the top of a canal feeder channel, put in and paddle up to the main channel. In either case, paddle across the river, which is very wide here, above the old canal dam. Enter a river right channel on the Virginia shore j
...River Features
Riley's Lock Put-in
This is the Riley's Lock put-in. For the 'GW Canal' run, cross the river above the 'Seneca Breaks'. Violette's Lock (just downstream) is preferred if doing the GW Canal loop and you plan to use the canal to avoid a shuttle. There is more parking and better accessibility at Riley's Lock, but either a shuttle to Pennyfield Lock is needed or plan for a 3/4 mile paddle up the Potomac River from Violette's Lock to Riley's Lock (mostly slackwater), because the canal is not watered between Violette's Lock and Riley's Lock.
Violette's Lock Put-in
This is the Violette's Lock Put-in. For the 'GW Canal' run, cross the river above the 'Seneca Breaks'. Violette's Lock is preferred if doing the GW Canal loop and you plan to use the canal to avoid a shuttle. But parking fills up early at Violette's Lock. There is more parking and better accessibility at Riley's Lock (just upstream), but if you use the Riley's Lock put-in, a car shuttle to Pennyfield Lock is needed or plan for a 3/4 mile paddle up the Potomac River from Violette's Lock to Riley's Lock (mostly slackwater), because the canal is not watered between Violette's Lock and Riley's Lock.
Take-out for C&O Canal paddle back up to Violette's Lock.
Take-out for C&O Canal paddle back up to Violette's Lock (if the C&O Canal is watered, which it usually is during the paddling season and usually is not during the Winter). It has come to our recent (2025) attention that the take-out trail for the C&O Canal paddle back up to Violette's Lock has become very muddy/slippery and difficult for older or disabled paddlers to navigate without slipping and falling or requiring help. If there are concerns, consider running a shuttle down to Pennyfield Lock and taking out there.
Take Out - Pennyfield Lock
Alternate Take-outs (if the C&O Canal to Violette's Lock is not watered or used - see above) can be either Pennyfield Lock (river left, a little downstream, total run 3.5 miles) or to Swain's Lock (total run 7 miles). Several islands appear downstream, it is important to stay on the Maryland side of these, as passing to the right of the miles long Harris Island will deliver you downstream of both Pennyfield and Swain's Locks.
Look for the entrance to Muddy Branch to the Pennyfield take out (There was a sign here, but as of 2025, it's gone -- a replacement is in the works). It's upstream from the lock house a couple hundred yards. On your way downstream, hug the MD side of the river to find the channel. Once in the channel, paddle upstream 0.2 miles or so to the tunnel under the C&O canal and the boat ramp immediately afterward.
When setting shuttle at Pennyfield Lock, the boat ramp is at the right end of the parking lot.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportGW Canal Trip 7-20-2025.
GW Canal trip 2023-7-23
A beautiful section of the Potomac, but challenging to find a good route through these shallow rapids which extend about a mile downstream towards from the end of the long section of flatwater.
You can see the demarcation between the flatwater section upstream and the beginning of the shallow rapids and islands that extend approx. a mile downstream from Violette's Lock
This is an interesting rock island in the middle of the Potomac 1/4 mile downstream from Violette's Lock. Park your kayak and explore this area if you're so inclined.
This watered section of the C&O canal can serve as your return after running the river rapids adjacent.
My bird ascended to a pretty high altitude for this pic looking downstream. Virginia is on the right here, and the route downstream.
This view shows the demarcation between the flatwater section and the beginning of the shallow rapids and islands that begin at Violette's Lock.
The river bends around here about 1/2 mile downstream from Violette's Lock. You can us the C&O as your return route if so inclined.
This birds eye view upriver is about 3/4 mile downstream from Violette's Lock. Nice place for a picnic in the middle of the river. You have no idea how difficult it is to find a bird willing to carry my GoPro. The GoPro bird harness helps, but a gimbal would be even better.