Dead Run
George Washington Parkway to Potomac River
| Difficulty | V |
| Length | 1.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Dead Run at Whann Avenue Near Mclean, Va |
| Flow Rate as of 58 minutes | 1 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | October 22, 2023 |
River Description
I first ran this run back in 2002 which I am almost positive was the first decent, please correct me if I am wrong.
This VA creek is the steepest in the greater Washington DC area. When caught at higher flows this can throw more at you then any traditionally run lines at Great Falls. It is located just down stream of the American Legion Beltway Bridge over the Potomac River. It drains the Langley and Mclean area neighborhoods above Georgetown Pike which runs parallel to the George Washington Parkway. There is no gradient to speak of above the GW Parkway so this is where the run begins with a short but dramatic plunge to the Potomac with no portages.
The run is about a quarter mile long and drops about 160 feet, making for a very hefty fpm gradient. This run is very prone to wood but there are most always alternative routes to navigate with the choice of lines amongst the islands above and below the main drop. Obviously, the more water the more choice in the lines.
There is one public entrance through the neighborhoods behind Langley High School for an upstream put-in that requires a half mile hike in and some general knowledge of the trails to have a top to bottom run. There could be a lot of other potential put-ins with much more convenient and less trouble but they would require trespassing right through neighborhood backyards. And these are some NICE neighborhoods with some BIG backyards where kayaks on top of peddler vehicles will easily get some attention. So I recommend most to stick to the Maryland side and park at the Lock 10 C&O canal parking lot on the Clara Barton Parkway just inside the beltway; and paddle up the channel and ferry directly across the river to the delta of Dead Run.
When there are no leaves on the trees and Dead is running the cascading rapids off the hill side are impossible to miss, but when there are leaves on the trees the delta is somewhat concealed. This is the best way for a first run so that one can
...River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportI fixed the incorrect Dead run gauge, the one shown is the correct one.
This gauge is incorrect, but as Stephen pointed out, if you are even contemplating this run you will have to be there in the rain because it goes up and down so fast. Contrary to Four Mile run, I would suggest Difficult Run as a more appropriate gauge for all VA side Potomac creeks in the DC area; looking for exceptionally high water.
In my defense I haven't spent the time to figure out how to change the gauge listing sense I put it up incorrectly.
The river gauge reference is wrong. The Spout Run that has the gauge is not the Spout Run along Spout Run Parkway, but rather way out near WV. The only river gauge that is even marginally useful would be Fourmile Run. You'd want at least 1000 - 1500 cfs on that, but of course you normally would not have the time to wait to get that reading.
Heres a good visual reference for a good flow
This shows the potential high water flows with the leaves swept off the forest floor around its banks
GW Parkway piller from the bridge over head on the right of the pic. Also shows the gauge rock which is a good reference for the level. This is about half way up the side that juts into the current. Minimum flows are near the bottom of the boulder only being in the water. Near the top of the boulder is crazy high!
Looking down Truckin, first rapid
Looking up to the top of Toothpick, second rapid
Looking over the last drop of Toothpick and downstream to the big stuff
The last drop on Toothpick
Looking downstream the left slot in Blow
looking down onto the clapping waterfall section onto the slide
The far right side line, and why to stay away from the right wall down the slide. This is the only sieve at the end of the waterfall, there is another corner of the wall that comes out behind this one and creates a pillow off the wall.
from below, straight on
A closer look at where you want to be comin around the river left corner of 'Blow' to line up down the fall and the slide. Don't want to get caught sideways off this one!
Last good rapid, keep your bow up! Alligator rocks everywhere
Looking upstream to 'Threesome' and 'The Real Garcia' in the background.
The delta into the Potomac River. It spreads out around here so it gets shallow. Don't be decieved if it looks rediculiously low here at the end if you are coming to carry up and run from below.