C
Chris
May 19, 2012
Gwynn Falls ledges just below the falls. Low water, 23 cfs, .98 ft stage.
| Difficulty | II-III(IV) |
| Length | 6.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 45 fpm |
| Gauge | Gwynns Falls at Villa Nova, Md |
| Flow Rate as of 20 minutes | 7 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 6, 2022 |
This long and challenging trip would be outstanding were it not for the water quality and the visible trash (including plastic growing on the trees), which undermines the otherwise pleasant parkland scenery. The first mile, to Forest Park Avenue, starts off class II-, but gradually steepens to class III-. This section can be scouted from Purnell Drive on the north (where you can park to put in) and Cedar and Pickwick Drives on the south. Below Forest Park Avenue, by the restored mill town of Dickeysville, a 10-foot dam must be portaged. The class II-III rapids then resume, and two-thirds of a mile after the dam comes a tricky class III at the bottom of a long rock garden. This section can be scouted from Wetheredsville Road. Dead Run enters from the right midway through the trip, marked by a pair of small ledges. Three-fourths of a mile later, at Hilton Street, some apparently untreated sewerage seeps in from the left. Shortly below, the creek braids; the left channel has a class III- ending.
In another half mile, the stream flows below Edmondson Avenue (US 40), and you need to be alert. First, there is an iron pipe across the creek, at the end of a short straight section. Scout from the eddy on the right. In very low water you can slip beneath it; otherwise, portage on the right. Then, 200 yards below, is Gwynns Falls, a five-foot drop. In low water, you can scout from the rock ledge in the middle. The right channel is precipitous, with unseen shallow rocks just below that make this short drop a class IV-, while the left chute is a very narrow and twisty class IV. A short portage over the middle ledge is often the best alternative, especially given the water quality. This is followed immediately by a delightful class III rock garden, and soon thereafter by a four-foot, class III ledge (easiest on the right, in low water), followed by a long class II rock garden that continues down to W. Baltimore St. Below, the gradient eases up, although there are still s
...Mar 14, 2019
As of February 2019, the whole creek is blocked by construction just above the main rapid. The whole river goes into some impassable culverts that go under a construction bridge. It was fairly easy to spot in advance and a relatively easy portage. The iron pipe above the main falls (mentioned in the description above) seems to be gone as part of the construction.
May 22, 2012
As of May 21, 2012 at 2pm.......There is a river-wide strainer at the steel pipes, which are located just below MD-40. The root base of the fallen tree is still attached to the bank on river left, so it looks like this strainer is here to stay for a while. You may be able to sneak through on river right at low water. Easy portage is on river right directly under the huge arches of the MD-40 bridge. Take out amongst a knee high pile of garbage, then climb an easy staircase of broken discarded concrete, up to the railroad tracks. You can make a steep descent to put in immediately below the pipes, or continue 100yds further down the RR tracks to where you can easily (and safely) get down to the water's edge to scout the falls and the ledges just below. The eddys are easy to find, they are the areas filled with floating, swirling garbage. It's a damn shame this wonderful river is painted with garbage.
May 25, 2010
The Washington Blvd gauge can be read online at:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?01589352.
For those of us who like to paddle down to the harbor sometimes, Swann Park has now been reopened, just off Hanover St., next to I-95; it makes a good takeout, especially for me, since it's an easy walk to my house from there.
