Pimmit Run

2. Glebe Road to the Potomac

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EA
Erik Amason

May 5, 2005


FYI - all the wood on and under the 'bridge dam falls'(the main picture on this write-up) directly below Glebe Road and above the main rapid on Pimmit run has recently been removed by Arlington county. They do this every once in a while when the two drains beneath the bridge clog-up and cause that sweet ten foot fall with less water then usual. So know now that with the drains open and free flowing low flow runs will go right down the pipes with few eddies approaching them, medium flows will pool up against the bridge before it runs over, and it will take really high flows from lots of rain to create the fun water fall like in the pic.

EA
Erik Amason

Apr 2, 2005


The bridge dam under Glebe rd. becomes a 12 ft. fall when the two square pipelines beneath are jammed with rocks and logs, which is often. some times you have to portage if the water is sieving its way through the bridge dam without pooring over at lower flows. I say this is a medium flow because the trees above didn't get there from this flow, not to mention that I have seen it higher too.
Pimmit Run Falls delta into the Potomac just below Chain Bridge and Little Falls rapid. The Potomac River level was at 6.5 ft. which backs up and covers Pimmit's class II-III run out channels which there are three of at most good levels and four at high levels.
River right side ledges down the falls, make for a violent yet fun run into the right side eddy at the bottom of the rapid.
My favorite line, a 10 foot V-fall for a boof on the left side of the island splitting the falls.
at this level you can start to do the S-turn line from the middle line above the falls and down the drop between the islands splitting the falls. deffenetly manky and action packed! and be careful about wood
end of center line at Pimmit Run Falls. boof off the rooster tail down the center to avoid the undercut tombstone piton rocks on the right below. look carefully for them
Arial view of most of Pimmit Run Falls
watch for the tombstone rocks below the center line of the Falls. top of picture beneath the muddy waters. These are obviously a non-issue at really good higher flows

JA
John Alden

Jan 15, 2003


This is typical of the boogie water to be found on Pimmit Run.
Make sure to grab one of the eddies above the culvert.
This is the first part of the waterfall past the remains of the old mill at the confluence with the Potomac River. Yes, all of those rocks are sharp and pointed upstream. The total drop of the rapid is approximately 25'.
The second part of the falls may not be runnable unless the Potomac River is above 8' at the Little Falls gauge. All of the flow goes into and under the tombstone rock to the right of the photo. More water in the creek would open up other options.