Antietam Creek, Maryland, US

2) Hwy.68 to Potomac River

Usual Difficulty	I-II (for normal flows)
Avg. Gradient	7 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
ANTIETAM CREEK NEAR SHARPSBURG, MD
usgs-01619500	2.50 - 5.00 ft	I-II	18h50m	3.24 ft (rc= 0.3 )

River Description

STRAINER WARNING: As of January, 2004, boaters were reporting a logjam at the bridge directly below Furnace Rapid, the last Class II drop before the confluence with the Potomac River. Scouting is advised, but the logjam was reported to be passable on the far right and far left.

Summary:

Antietam Creek is a great Class I-II run through beautiful natural scenery and the historic Antietam civil war battlefield park.

located southeast of Hagerstown, MD.
Putin at bridge at the Rt. 68 bridge or on Beaver Creek just above confluence with Antietam Creek.
Takeout on the Potomac River at the C&O Canal camprgound located just upstream of the creek's confluence with the river. Other takeouts are possible upstream.

An excellent website for the creek is maintained by Antietam Creek Canoe Co..

Description:

This section is primarily characterized by Class I-II water with rapids created by dam ruins and sharp, tight turns on this narrow creek. Spring-fed, it holds water longer than other small streams in the area and is the last to freeze and first to thaw. Practiced novice boaters should be able to handle the rapids but watch out for downed trees, which can pose serious hazards on this tree-lined run.

Landing at the historic Burnside Bridge at the Antietam battlefield is discouraged. Take out downstream a bit to visit the battlefield site. Below the battlefield is an intact dam that provides a two foot drop and bump. It is best run down the middle. Near the end of the run the gradient picks up as you approach the Potomac River and frequent strainers increase the risk of the final minutes of the trip.

The last rapid - Furnace Rapids - is a long Class II that can be scouted on the left. Immediately below is a bridge where an old but now closed takeout point was located. Continue down the Potomac River and paddle upstream to the takeout.

A good option for a shorter trip involves cutting off the bottom trip at Burnside Bridge in the battlefield. An even shorter trip can start here. Some of the other bridge crossings have landowner access issues.