| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 5.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Gunpowder Falls Middle |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 206 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 30, 2023 |
River Description
Because the City has prohibited access to city property at Loch Raven Dam and for about a mile downstream, the usual put-in is on Notchcliff Rd., off of Harford Road in Glen Arm, MD. Assuming there's water (i.e. water coming over Loch Raven Dam: See: http://www.baltimorecanoeclub.org/index.php/en/paddling-resources/2013-10-02-01-22-40/2013-10-02-01-46-11 for more information about water levels on the Lower and Middle Gunpowder), the section of the Gunpowder that parallel's Notchcliff Rd is a good training run with a number of opportunities to teach eddy turns/peel outs and boat control. At Harford Rd., there is an easy class II- rapid for new paddlers to try. From Harford Rd to US 1 (Belair Rd), the river is mostly Class I moving water with a few easy gravel bar rapids. Beware of strainers at the US 1 (Belair Rd.) bridge. There are five tubes under the road, one or more of which is often blocked with strainers (the rightmost one is usually clear). Stay away from any tube blocked by strainers -- there was a death here a few years ago due to this problem. The take-out for this section is immediately downstream from this bridge on river left.
River Features
Put-in Notchcliff Rd., off of Harford Rd.
Access PointDistance: 0 mi
Because the City has prohibited access to city property at Loch Raven Dam and for about a mile downstream, the usual put-in is on Notchcliff Rd., off of Harford Road in Glen Arm, MD. 10901 Notchcliff Rd., Glen Arm, Maryland, 21057.
Harford Road
OtherClass: II-Distance: 0.9 mi
Just below Harford Rd., there is an easy class II- rapid - basically some small ledges - plunge down the middle.
US1/Belair Rd. Takeout
Access PointHazardDistance: 5.41 mi
The typical take-out for the Lower GunPowder is at the US1/Belair Road Bridge. Beware of strainers at the US 1 (Belair Rd.) bridge. There are five tubes under the road, one or more of which is often blocked with strainers (the rightmost one is usually clear). Stay away from any tube blocked by strainers -- there was a death here a few years ago due to this problem. The take-out for this section is immediately downstream from this bridge on river left.