Rappahannock, Virginia, US |
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| Usual Difficulty | I-III (varies with level) |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.5 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 13 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 30 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, VA | ||||
| usgs-01668000 | 2.45 - 6.50 ft | I-III | 01h15m | 3.13 ft (rc= 0.5 ) |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, VA | ||||||||||||||||||||
| usgs-01668000 | 2.45 - 6.50 ft | I-III | 01h15m | 3.13 ft (rc= 0.5 ) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | Carter Never Saw It | II+ |  |
| 3.5 | Backside | III | |
| 3.6 | Falmouth Rapids | II+ | |
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 Dam 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. Undercut
danger on river right.
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.
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.
reach
state
reachlink
4. Motts Run to Fredericksburg, Rappahannock Virginia, US (mobile)
User Comments
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.
unless you've check it out first!
and playspots. Iron ring rock rapid was at perfect level running river left of rock. very deep and
fast wave.
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!
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. Edit
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+
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.