Rappahannock
4. Motts Run to Fredericksburg
| Difficulty | I-III |
| Length | 6.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 13 fpm |
| Gauge | Rappahannock River Near Fredericksburg, Va |
| Flow Rate as of 52 minutes | 1.94 ftbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 20, 2025 |
River Description
Embrey Dam has been fully removed, enhancing the entertainment value of this run quite a bit.
There is a good boat launch putin for the entire section on Route 618 (River Road) near Motts Run Park. This is also the takeout for the milder popular canoe run that starts 24 miles upstream at Kelly's Ford. You can skip a mile or so of flatwater by putting in further down River Road where the road turns away from the river.
There are three Class I-II rapids in the first mile. This section is also quite beautiful and seemingly remote, as you are in a gorge of sorts owned by the City of Fredricksburg to protect its water supply.
As you go under I-95, you enter the section that used to be flatwater. Right at 95 there are some large boulders and bridge pilings that must be navigated around to quicken the heart of the novice. The first new Class II rapid is called Hunters Mill Rapid. Here water was diverted for a mill downstream near the dam. This is followed after a few hundred yards by 'Carter Never Saw It', a tribute to the father of Virgnia Canoeing. The whole new section is reminiscent of Staircase or Kelly's Ford, with the two new rapids bookending the fun.
Novices looking for a fun trip can take out just below the removed dam. There is a takeout controlled by the Friends of the Rappahannock on river right.
The Falmouth rapids section below the dam has some tasty Class III drops interspersed with short pools. You have a choice of routes for each rapid, and the more technical complicated passages tend to be to the right. Some of these routes are definitely Class III and pins are possible. The safer more straightforward routes involve staying with the main flow of the river.
For those into simulated creek boating, you can run the Falmouth section down a narrow passage on the left that runs on the other side of two islands.
The take out is on river right at Old Mill Park, just off of Fall Hill Avenue in Fredricksburg. To run just
...River Features
Put In - Motts Run Boat Launch
There is a good put in at Motts Run Landing for the entire section on River Road (Rt. 618).
Alternate put in options would be to park at Sunshine Ballpark (1200 Wicklow Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22401) you can then carry down the gravel access road to put in above or below I-95 depending on how far you want to carry.
The other option is to park alongside Fall Hill Ave. near the Virginia Outdoor Center and put in right above the Falmouth Rapids.
Carter Never Saw It
These rapids begin at the I-95 bridge and end just above Lauck's Island. Until the Embrey Dam was removed, all these rapids were flooded.
- Hunter's Mill Rapids:
- Remains of the pre-revolutionary war Hunter's Iron Works Dam. The river left portion of the last section is currently choked with several fallen trees.
- Iron Ring Rock aka Carter Never Saw It aka BFR
- Big Rock in the center of the river. All normal lines are to the left of the rock. There is a sieve just to the right of the biggest rock and an undercut danger on river right; however, most of the flow is going in the safe direction. Left of the rock there are 3 different chutes to choose from. All are good.
Backside
This is a great run on the north side of Lauck’s Island. Enter from several places on river left below the Embrey Dam remains. General about 2000cfs is needed to make this a decent run. It starts with a cobbly Class II and a long pool.
Bob's Glasses
The first rapid after a long pool. The main line is to start river right, and run the drop angled to the left. This hole, although very tight and steep can provide some good surfing.
Shoulder Snapper
Last rapid on the backside. This rapid provides a nice hole to play in at higher levels, but even still it's relatively bony.
Falmouth Rapids
Mile long section of rapids where the Rappahannock tumbles over the fall line at 30 fpm. Falmouth starts with a long pool below Embrey dam. You can get all of the action by putting in at the grassy spot where Falls Rd. turns away from the river.
First Drop
Several enjoyable lines through here. The most commonly run line is river left of center. Two holes here provide good surfing at most lower levels.
Second Drop
A Class II boogie water section (very bony through the low water/summer months)
Target Rock
A Class 3-4 rapid river right of The Corner rapid. It's a narrow slot move followed by a
right turn down a chute. Be sure to scout for strainers here.
The Corner
A quick succession of small drops and holes.
Berkey's Hole
A grabby hole under a 2 foot drop on river right. Be sure to punch through. Not too bad of a
hole really, just be weary of playing in it as there is also I nice head klunker just below
it if you flip.
Cowan's Wave
Directly beside Berkey's hole, this is a nice wave at many levels. Typically the only way to
access it is from some eddies on river left.
Washing Machine
Pick your way through this last Class II+ rapid and your runs nearly done.
The Squeeze
A creek move on the river right side of Washing Machine. Watch your head, you may have to
duck a timber overhanging the entrance.
Take Out - Old Mill Park, Fredericksburg, VA
Take Out - Old Mill Park (2201 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401)
City Docks Park - Potential Alt. Take-out
City Docks Park (207 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg VA*)*, downstream on river right is a potential alt. takeout. They have a 24/7 boat ramp.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWe arrived at Motts Run Landing around 9:30 am, but we didn't actually hit water until about 10:00 am. My brother-in-law's description of what our path would be: 'Oh, they are class 0.2 rapids' (when they were actually between class I-III). We all know now to double check the conditions and the water level because we ran into so many rocks and didn't realize there would be rapids! When we approached the I-95 overpass, the current picked up DRASTICALLY. We saw orange signs that said 'Portage 500 FT', 'EXIT NOW', and 'DO NOT ENTER'. Inflatables will have trouble getting across the current to the portage on the left if they are on the right side. We went around the right side of Laucks Island and I don't know if going the other way was more calm or not. Its best to do some research before going, as we quickly learned from our experience. However, I will say that we absolutely had a BLAST! We saw so much wildlife and had many laughs. The moments when we could just coast, eat snacks, and chat were a lot of fun. We'd definitely do it again, better prepared next time.
New construction under the I-95 bridge (small tunnel) diverges the water. Makes for large waves that are 3ish ft tall and this is the first time I have seen this. Use caution and have fun.
4.1ft water level with lots of nice muddy water.
Very nice water fall to check out. Located on river left just around a quarter a mile above interstate 95. Paddle up the creek running into that Rappahannock as far as you can then walk the rest of the way up. This picture was taken when the Rappahannock was running at a level of 3.3 feet three day after decent rain fall.
BG @ 2440cfs
Ran this on June 4, 2011 at 2.7' on gauge and was just barley runnable. Weather and water temp were nice so a good day but 3' would probably be a more advisable minimum level. Put in and takeout were great and shuttle is very easy and quick. Rapids were nothing more than easy Class 2 except perhaps a solid class 2 at the first major drop at the fallsline in town. Not much current near start but slowly picks up as one heads downstream. NIce scenery for all but last mile but never bad.
Small drop, nice eddies, easy accessibility to rocks for observation. Very easy to get out re-enter, and go back down again.
A good line of rapids for fun play.
Ran this last weekend (kayaks) with 2 other guys at 4.6 ft. awesome level with tons of nice waves and playspots. Iron ring rock rapid was at perfect level running river left of rock. very deep and fast wave.
floated in packrafts which I brought from Alaska for quick visit in my old home town, river at 3.2, good level for a PR, most fun had just above Rte 1 bridge, river seemed cleaner then when I grew up here 10 years ago, props to Friends of the Rapp!