Gunpowder Falls

The 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.

John Enagonio running Pot Rocks rapid, Lower Gunpowder, Kingsville, MD

John Enagonio running Pot Rocks rapid on Lower Gunpowder, Kingsville, MD

Again in 2018, the gate at the Jones Road take-out will be closed from Memorial Day weekend (May 26, 2018) through Labor Day weekend (reopening September 4, 2018). 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 26, 2018 and after September 3, 2018. 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 2016, the gate at the Jones Road take-out will be closed from Memorial Day weekend (May 28, 2016) through Labor Day weekend (September 5, 2016). This has been confirmed with the Park on April 28, 2016. 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 28, 2016 and after September 5, 2016. 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.

According to discussions between the Gunpowder Falls State Park and the Baltimore Canoe and Kayak Club, the gate at the Jones Road take-out will be closed from Memorial Day weekend (May 23, 2015) through Labor Day weekend (September 7, 2015) 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 23, 2015 and after September 7, 2015. 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.

According to a sign at the gate of the take out parking lot on Jones Road: The parking lot will be closed beginning May 1, 2014 until September.

A drop in Fall Line below zero on the Rt. 1 guage

Steve and Bill meesing around in Pots Rock

Here is how to calculate whether you will have enough water. a)Check whether Loch Raven Reservoir is full -- it normally stays full if the inflow exceeds about 150 cfs; b)If it is full, add the gauge readings on the Gunpowder (at Glencoe), Western Run and Beaverdam Run. They should total at least 350-375 cfs in the winter and spring, 400 cfs in the summer (when there is more evaporation and more water drawn from the reservoir for lawns). c) If it is not full, forget it. d) It takes about 2 days (at low levels) for that water to get to this section -- so, for example, Thursday's reading will tell you whether you will have enough water on Saturday; e) Above those totals, you get about 1 inch for every 40 cfs, for the first foot or so. After that, each inch requires more cfs, but I haven't worked out the formula.

couple from lancaster paddling the fall line of the gunpowder

first drop in sturn
first drop in s-turn just before being pushed up on to the rock and swimming... Looked like a very cold swim but all was well...

Description of route to Mariner Park Take-out.

BIll Adn steve messing around at Pots Rock

At this level, the top hole washes out to become a hard to attain wave - if you can catch, you surf forever!

At this level, it was a little difficult to find the sweet spot - a better level is 10'

Description to Mariner Park take-out