Rappahannock

We 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!

2.5 to 4.5 feet is a good range. I assumed 18 feet was a typo as i don't think the river has ever been that high. It was kayaked in 1996 the day after hurricane Fran and that was the highest I've ever seen (River Rd under water) and I don't think it was 18 feet even then. Below 2.5 it gets too rocky.

Last section of whitewater on the trip-just above route 1 bridge

whitewater section below motts landing

fun creeky line if you make the hard right turn

I ran this river on 5-9-09 and the level was about a 4.2 Right after the I-95 bridge there is a strainer on the right side of the Big rock in Hunters Mill Rapid(its a big stainer, you can't miss it). We seen a canoe hung up in it. Stay to the left of the rock if the water is high. Was a great run at 4.2 be prepared though, when the level is up the rapids go from a CII to a CIII+

The dam has now been cleared and the ban on boating placed while the removal took place has been lifted. You can now run uninterrupted from Motts to Fredericksburg. With the dam gone a new section of rapids have been exposed. The dam being 100 years old (and the previous dam going back about 50 years before that one), there was a lot of silt deposit. Each heavy rain changes the river as silt moves from place to place. Time will tell how things will settle out.

This drop is located on the backside of the Falmouth section of the Rappahannock just above Fredericksburg. 'Bob's Glasses' is is the hydraulic visible to the right.
Embrey Dam is scheduled for demolition some time in the next few years. This should open up about 20 feet of gradient in the mile long backwater and make this section of the Rappahannock an even more enjoyable run.