Gwynns Falls

Robert Farmer---Sept 6,2008: Caught it at @3.7/535 cfs at Villa Nova. Until proven otherwise, I declare this to be the lower end of perfect. The rapids were great fun, no portages, and I could scrape over the double pipeline---however, this would change if someone were to remove the enormous amount of trash that causes a backup of the water there. (If you do decide to portage the main drop, scout from river left at Route 40 first, then portage the big ledge on the right; the left side is a cliff.) I hit @ 7-8 rocks, total---hardly any! Also, there is a new USGS gauge just upstream of Washington Blvd: the level there was @4.2 or so. I paddled down to the harbor and had a lovely dinner at Nick's Fish House, where I took out. It was a very nice day. Total time to takeout: @2 hours and 15 minutes. Also, the best put-in is off of Forest Park Dr.---Take Pickwick Rd. down to the park at Dickeyville on river right; put in below the drowning machine dam. This put-in results in at least one less portage. Takeout at Washington Blvd, unless you want to paddle down to the harbor and probably see more birds. P.S. I noticed that it comes up with about an inch of rain in 12 hours or so.