Gunpowder Falls
6 - Route 1 to U.S.40 or Mariner Point(Lower Gunpowder)
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 7.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 20 fpm |
| Gauge | Gunpowder Falls Lower |
| Flow Rate as of 52 minutes | 136 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 1, 2025 |
River Description
The typical put-in for the Lower GunPowder is at the US1/Belair Road Bridge. There is a really nice gravel parking lot with easy access to the river on river left. The take out at Jones Road has been closed permanently. Currently the only available take-out is at Mariner Point Park which increases the length of the run from 3.4 miles to 7.5 miles.
For more information about this run, see: 1) http://www.baltimorecanoeclub.org/index.php/en/paddling-resources/2013-10-02-01-22-40/2013-10-02-01-46-11; 2) Maryland and Delaware Canoe Trails, Ed Gertler.
John Berg relates: This is a great run if you can catch it after a rain when Loch Raven Reservoir is full. At lower levels there are not too many playspots. I have not run the upper sections. I usually put in at the Belair Road (Hwy 1) bridge for a shorter but more action-packed run.
Ed Evangelidi relates:
There has been some theft problems at the Jones Rd. takeout, so don't leave your boat or gear unattended or leave anything of value visible in your car. Use the hiking trails (river right is usually best) to scout any rapids that you are unfamiliar with.
River Features
US1/Belair Road Bridge Put-in
The typical put-in for the Lower GunPowder is at the US1/Belair Road Bridge. There is a really nice gravel parking lot with easy access to the river on river left.
Lead in to "Fall Line"
Lead in to' Fall Line' - (Mile 2.44) - This series of rapids begins right after you go under the MD 7 (Philadelphia Rd) bridge. It starts with a short series of back-and-forth lines that culminate in a large staging eddy on river right. From this staging eddy the next rapid ('Fall Line' rapid) can be easily land scouted or portaged from the paved trail on river right or boat scouted from the eddy.
US 40/Jones Rd. Take-out
'Jones Rd.' Take-out (Mile 3.4)
The Jones Rd. Takeout and parking area has been closed permanently. Also, US 40 in the vicinity of the river has been marked 'No Parking, No Standing, No Stopping' by the Baltimore County Police.
[Old description: The take out is at Jones Road, just before the US 40 bridge across the Gunpowder (if coming from the East) or just after (if coming from the west). Because of overuse and trash accumulations over the last few summers, the Jones Road take-out will be closed from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (inclusive).]
Mariner Point Park Take-out
'Mariner Point Park' Take-out (Mile 7.4).
To get to Mariner Point Park, continue on US 40 east until you cross the Little Gunpowder (Harford County line). Immediately after the Little Gunpowder is a stoplight at Joppa Farms road, turn right at the stoplight onto Joppa Farms Road and go 1.7 miles, then turn right onto Kerney Drive. Go 0.6 miles on Kerney Drive to Mariner Point Park.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThe Jones Rd. Take-out and parking area have been closed permanently.
In 2023, the gate at the Jones Road take-out will be closed beginning Memorial Day Weekend (closing May 26, 2023) and there after permanently. (Also, US 40 anywhere near the vicinity of the river has been marked 'No Parking'). For a more detailed description of the river with current warnings, current level correlations/calibrations and the correct rapid names see: http://www.baltimorecanoeclub.org/index.php/en/paddling-resources/2013-10-02-01-22-40/2013-10-02-01-46-11.
Again in 2022, the gate at the Jones Road take-out will be closed from Memorial Day Weekend (closing May 27, 2022) through Labor Day weekend (reopening September 6, 2022). The closure is because of overuse and trash accumulations at Jones Road over the last few summers (Also, US 40 in the vicinity of the river has been marked 'No Parking'). For a more detailed description of the river with current warnings, current level correlations/calibrations and the correct rapid names see: http://www.baltimorecanoeclub.org/index.php/en/paddling-resources/2013-10-02-01-22-40/2013-10-02-01-46-11.
Again in 2021, the gate at the Jones Road take-out will be closed from Memorial Day Weekend (closing May 27, 2021) through Labor Day weekend (reopening September 7, 2021). This is from a MD DNR sign at the entrance of the Jones Road takeout. The closure is because of overuse and trash accumulations at Jones Road over the last few summers (Also, US 40 in the vicinity of the river has been marked 'No Parking'). For a more detailed description of the river with current warnings, current level correlations/calibrations and the correct rapid names see: http://www.baltimorecanoeclub.org/index.php/en/paddling-resources/2013-10-02-01-22-40/2013-10-02-01-46-11.
Again in 2020, the gate at the Jones Road take-out will be closed from May 9, 2020 through Labor Day weekend (reopening September 8, 2020). This is from a MD DNR sign at the entrance of the Jones Road takeout. The closure is because of overuse and trash accumulations at Jones Road over the last few summers (Also, US 40 in the vicinity of the river has been marked 'No Parking'). According to the Park, the Jones Road parking area should be open after September 7, 2020. For a more detailed description of the river with current warnings, current level correlations/calibrations and the correct rapid names see: http://www.baltimorecanoeclub.org/index.php/en/paddling-resources/2013-10-02-01-22-40/2013-10-02-01-46-11.
Again in 2019, the gate at the Jones Road take-out will be closed from Memorial Day weekend (May 25, 2019) through Labor Day weekend (reopening September 3, 2019). This is from a MD DNR sign at the entrance of the Jones Road takeout. The closure is because of overuse and trash accumulations at Jones Road over the last few summers (Also, US 40 in the vicinity of the river has been marked 'No Parking'). According to the Park, the Jones Road parking area should be open prior to May 25, 2019 and after September 2, 2019. For a more detailed description of the river with current warnings, current level correlations/calibrations and the correct rapid names see: http://www.baltimorecanoeclub.org/index.php/en/paddling-resources/2013-10-02-01-22-40/2013-10-02-01-46-11.
John Enagonio running Pot Rocks rapid on the Lower Gunpowder, Kingsville, MD. Level: 7 inches.