Gunpowder Falls
5 - Notchcliff Rd. to Route 1(Middle Gunpowder)
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 5.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Gunpowder Falls Middle |
| Flow Rate as of 49 minutes | 132 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.
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.
US1/Belair Rd. Takeout
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.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportthere is a strainer in the harford rd rapid that may or may not wash out with higher water. Always scout.
UPDATE: This strainer is no longer there...
I ran this section below 147 to rt1. When you get down to Rt. 1, 3 of the bores under the bridge are inaccessible due to strainers. Make sure you scout this from the little penninsula on river right. The rapids look pretty pushy against the strainers. I chose to portage the penninsula and put in on the right side of it. This allows a carefull approach the the far right bore (this is partially blocked as well) but the bore is clear. You miss out on what looks like a great II-, but the reward is on the other side of the bridge. A you come out, get up to speed and dig your boof stroke in! Very fun little rapid.
The wood piles have been cleared. Bores 1 and 2 are clear for use again.
Tim P.
Ran this in May 09 after some rainy days. If water is pouring over the dam not a bad trip. Took about 31/2 -4 hrs. for a shorter trip get out at Harford Rd.
Ran this one in a canoe on 4/2 and there was nowhere near enough water.