We had 7 paddlers join us for the August 14th run from the Old Angler’s Inn put in on the Potomac River down to the Lock 10 take out. The water level was a healthy 3.73 ft, and the discharge was 7,820 cfs at the time we took the boats out according to the Little Falls gage. The group consisted of Jeff Nielsen, Sean Rodammer, his guest Michael, Mar Solis, Brent Harclerode,
Margot Regier, and me. We launched very close to our target time of 6:30 PM and arrived at Lock 10 at about 8:45 PM getting us to our cars right after sunset. This week the water level was high enough that the Offutt rapids were in play again, which is becoming a rare treat this late in the summer. We were also able to enjoy some play time around Yellow Falls and Stubblefield Falls. All three rapids offered plenty of opportunities to practice some surfing, ferrying, and other forms of Tom Foolery. I’m very happy to report that we only had 1 swim on this trip and no major incidents. Another special treat was being able to paddle all the way to the Lock 10 take out (no boat dragging this week).
Given the recent drought it was a real pleasure to experience the river and its features with the higher water level again. I hope it lasts for at least a little while longer
Submitted by
Dean Hawes
The Offutt Waves were in play again (Woo Hoo!)
Sun setting as we finished coming out of Stubblefield Falls
