Rock Creek

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.

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.