Potomac, North Branch

A less common Put-in at confluence of Potomac River and Savage River from Maryland side. The Westernport put in (2.1 miles downstream) or the Piedmont put-in (2.0 miles downstream) are generally more popular put-ins because portaging the Dam is avoided and the section of river between the Savage /Potomac confluence and Westernport runs behind the closed paper mill and is industrially ugly.

Portage this low head dam on river right.

• Riverside Dr., Piedmont, WV 26750 -- This is one of two more common put-ins.

Directions: US-220 south from Cumberland, turn right on MD Route 135, follow it to Westernport. Take the bridge on the left and cross the river into Piedmont, WV Turn right onto 3rd Street. From 3rd Street make the second right onto Jones Street and follow it down to a parking area along the river.

• Front Street Westernport, MD 21562 -- This is the most common put-in.

Directions: US-220 south from Cumberland, turn right on MD Route 135, follow it to Westernport. Turn left onto Maryland Avenue. The soft access site is located on the Eastern side of the Rt. 46 bridge along Front Street in Westernport, MD at the junction of George's Creek and the Potomac River Bridge. This Maryland side put in is in the middle of Westernport on a small gravel road right next to the railroad on the river side. Kind of hard to see, but it is directly across from the Subway. Put-in parking is somewhat limited. but additional parking is available at the lot on the corner of Clayton Street and Rt. 46. The gravel road is not great for long vehicles, or vehicles with low ground clearance. Vessels must be carried a short distance from the parking area to the water. This site is for non-motorized vessels only. You may want to park in the Subway parking lot and scope it out before you commit to it, as it can be confusing.

AKA 'Stoney Run' rapid.  The river makes a hard right hand turn against a concrete wall on river left that contains a culvert for Stoney Run and which supports the road (MD 135) and the railroad siding that connects warehouses in Luke, MD to the B&O mainline at 21st bridge.  Set right angle to make the right turn, then there are a couple of ledges generally run in the center.  Class II at 1,000 cfs or lower; might be higher classed at higher levels.

Take the left channel (the right channel just shoals out).  The river takes another right turn against the left bank and because it shoals up to the right, you can't just sneak the right side.  There are two ledge holes against the left bank to avoid, but which also may be playable.  Start left, but set a line to the right to avoid dropping into the holes, finishing the rapid in the center.  Class II+ at 1,000 cfs, but maybe class III or more at higher water levels.  This rapid is named for the late Kelly Day, who liked to work those features.  It is unclear whether the preferred name is Kelly's Hole or Kelly's Ledges; so best call the rapid 'Kelly's'.

McCoole Boat Access - Maryland side. Directions: Take US-220 south from Cumberland. Turn right onto MD Route 135 and proceed for approximately 1 mile. A gate on the left side of the road marks the entrance road which leads to an open, grassy field with parking for cars or trailers. The turn into the boat access is hard to see from the road until you're on it. The gravel road into the boat access is badly washed out and not good for vehicles with low ground clearance.

Keyser North Branch Public Stream Access - West Virginia side.  The Scenic portion of the run begins below Keyser WV starting with Queen's point overlook on the Maryland side (river left) which continue with several rock outcroppings, some of which extend down to the water on the West Virginia side (river right).  The rock outcroppings extend along the ridge on the West Virginia side extend for the next 4.4 miles - almost all the way down to the Gary Yoder river access take-out.

The takeout - Gary Yoder Soft Launch, locally known as Black Oak Bottom, is just above the private bridge - river left - Maryland side. The take-out can be hard to see from the river, but it is just above the bridge. Directions: The Black Oak boat access is located on the Maryland shore just upstream of the Black Oak trestle bridge at Dawson. To reach the ramp, take Maryland Rt. 220 South to Black Oak Road. Cross the railroad tracks, take a right, and then an immediate left. The turn from US 220 is across an unprotected active railroad crossing - be sure to look both ways as you cross the railroad tracks. Park in the open, grassy field and carry your boat to or from the river. There are great fisheries along this stretch of the river. This site is for non-motorized vessels (canoes and kayaks) only. There is a picnic table on location. The site can be muddy in wet weather and there is a gravel road down to the ramp. Please beware of the sometimes slippery riverbank and poison ivy.