Potomac, North Branch, Maryland, US/West Virginia, US

4. Barnum, WV to Bloomington, MD (Bloomington Section)

Usual Difficulty	II-III (for normal flows)
Length	6.5 Miles
Avg. Gradient	30 fpm
Max Gradient	30 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
NORTH BRANCH POTOMAC RIVER AT BARNUM, WV
usgs-01595800	400 - 2500 cfs	II-III	00h48m	597 cfs (rc= 0.1 )

River Description

This section of the North Branch Potomac has fairly continuous whitewater consisting of primarily open Class II-III rapids with waves and holes. The water is cold, however, because it is usually drawn from deep in the reservoir. Be prepared for 50-55 degree water anytime of year. Short pools break up the rapids. One-third of the way through the run is a nice series of surfing ledges. The lunchstop, where a steep wall forms on river right, has another nice playhole.

The most difficult rapid is Robin's Nest, which occurs near the bottom of a river right channel formed at the split of an island. Skirt the hole with a right to left move or sneak on the extreme left. Just below here you will encounter Top Of The World, a large, fun and bouncy wave train.

From Ed Gertler:
There is now an official public take-out at Bloomington, at the wastewater treatment plant, upstream left, just above the arch railroad bridge. Get there by driving west and uphill from the Savage River on Rte 135, over the railroad to the first left. Across from the school, take the next left downhill to the access. Once again, we emphasize model behavior (slow driving, no public nudity), as we will be creating traffic in a residential neighborhood. On the other hand, we can make some friends by patronizing the little restaurant in town (and by the way, don't forget the teensy snack and bait shop in Barnum too). As for using the traditional take-out at the mouth of the Savage: that is still OK, too. Just remember: the popular parking lot at the take-out, in front of the two-story brick building, is on private property. Please take care not to block the driveway (even just to unload for a minute), change clothes in the open, or do anything else to offend the tolerant owner, or the caretaker who lives out back in the trailer (where we have no business being). Poor behavior by some in 1997 almost cost us the use of the lot. So be on your best behavior and watch over the other guy too.

Directions to the Barnum Whitewater Area (BWA) from Interstate 68

Exit Interstate 68 at Cumberland, MD
Take Green Street Exit off of Interstate 68 (US Route 220 South) to Keyser, WV -- Approximately 20 miles
Follow US 220 South through Keyser to the intersection with US Route 50 --Approximately 7 miles **
Take US Route 50 West to intersection of Route 42 --Approximately 7 miles (just past Saddle Mountain overlook)
Take Route 42 West to Elk Garden, WV --Approximately 5 miles
At Elk Garden take Route 46 East to the Barnum Whitewater Area Road --Approximately 5 miles (Jennings Randolph Lake will be on your left)
Follow Barnum Road to parking area --Approximately 2 1/2 miles
**Look for Jennings Randolph Lake signs off of US Route 50

Directions to BWA from Interstate 81

Take US Route 50 West exit at Winchester, VA
Follow US Route 50 West to Romney, WV --Approximately 60 miles
Continue on US Route 50 to intersection of US Route 50 and Route 42 West --Approximately 25 miles West of Romney
Follow Route 42 to Elk Garden, WV --Approximately 5 miles
At Elk Garden take Route 46 East to the Barnum Whitewater Area Road --Approximately 5 miles (Jennings Randolph Lake will be on your left)
Follow Barnum Road to parking area --Approximately 2-1/2 miles
**Look for Jennings Randolph Lake signs off of US Route 50