Occoquan

The Occoquan River has a short series of fall line rapids between the Lorton Dam and the tidal Belmont Bay. The rapids are fun class 3+/4- boulder gardens, although there are only 4 real rapids. For intermediates looking to work on eddy catching, boofing, and stepping up their paddling abilities to solid class 4 this is the perfect after work or dawn patrol run. At high water it’s a great way for DC-area boaters to experience Gauley-sized rapids close to home. The large drainage area (500 mi2) ensures that the Occoquan will have good flow for two to three days after a storm.

Video of the Occoquan at 900cfs including all the rapids is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr0iIiN-WlA&feature=youtu.be

A high water descent at 8100cfs including all the rapids is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z-X_vkPSdY

Video of the last ledge at 4000cfs:

https://vimeo.com/68290725

Rapid Description (based on flow of 1000 cfs)

Below the 2nd dam the river starts out with a long class 2 boulder garden. Enjoy the numerous splats, small surf waves, and eddies. This rapid lulls out for a few meters and leads straight into the beginning of the 2nd rapid. There is no pool between.

The entrance to the second rapid (class 3+/4-) is on the middle/right. You’ll come up on the action which is a big hole somewhat backed up by a large boulder. Either boof off the rock far left or boof the big hole in the middle. The river is flat until the 3rd rapid.

The 3rd rapid has two routes, right and left of the island. River right of the island is class 4- with a bad-looking piton rock on the left close to the island. Run the entrance center/left of the channel and then get hard right once past the 1st hole/ close to the big island. If you have the skills you can boof

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