We had 21 participants sign up for the 8/4 Sunday Paddle and 21 participants show up. Needless to say we had to split into two groups. We divided amongst the River Runners and the Eddy Hoppers. The River Running group consisted of Bob H, Wayne, Hugh and Annette, Hendrik, Mikey B, Barb R, Doug J., Kathy, Gil R. Michael H, and Elizabeth W. In our second, Eddy Hopping group, we had Alf, Pam, Toni, John E, Paul E, Lauren W, Diane H, Lisa W all in kayaks and Ned P in a C-1. We had two personal first descents in the River Running group with Michael H. and Elizabeth W. The total boat count was 4 OCs (two OC-1s and two OC-2s), and one C-1, with everyone else in K-1s. We had several new-to-us paddlers which is so nice to see!
The Eddy Hopping group enthusiastically practiced their surfing at every wave and decently sized riffle that presented itself. The River Runners also did a bit of surfing but proceeded down the canal in a more expeditious manner. Of the two groups, six paddlers made the attainment at Attainment Rapid (after Diagonal). No carnage to report in either group. :-)
Note that the center chute in the debris pile below Jacuzzi Rapid is now blocked. Additionally, a large (4' in diameter) tree just downstream of the Po River takeout has collapsed. We speculate that there must have been a severe, but very local, weather event in the past week (see Snitzer's Trip Report from 7/31) since we observed many branches down in the GW Canal along with a large tree that has blocked the right side entrance to Exit Rapid (pic below). Paddlers will need to approach cautiously, entering on river left and then working their way down on the right (or continuing left with enough water). Additionally there are limbs to be navigated around in the C&O Canal, but nothing blocking the full width of the canal.
Hendrik reports a turtle count of 7. The Eddy Hopping group can concur with this count, along with one baby duckling who seemed to think he too was a turtle sunning on a log in the canal. The Little Falls gauge was 2.76 by 2pm. The last of us were off the water by 11:30.
