Mather Gorge Whitewater Trip

The Potomac River below Great Falls is literally in the back yard of Washington, D.C. This fact contributes to the strong boating community in the metropolitan region. Mather Gorge, where this section begins, is a stunning cliff-lined gorge. Further down, the river maintains its wild and remote feeling, except for at choice spots where Virginia has allowed sloppy development to mar the shore.

The river offers play and practice for beginners to experts and numerous sections can be run. This description will deal with the rapids and access points and doesn't provide details on the numerous play spots.

It should be noted that the stretch of river from O-Deck just below Great Falls thru Wet Bottom offers some of the best big water paddling in Maryland. 10,000 cfs thru a 100 foot wide gorge makes for some large waves, surging eddies and boiling eddylines. Below Mather gorge the rapids get considerably easier. See Surf the Potomac for good playspot info. Older playspot pages are the Potomac Playspot Project, Potomac Paddlers, as well as another popular playspot guide developed by David Mackintosh.

This is a class II+ Whitewater trip.  Contact Chris Niemeyer if you are interested in joining!

cniem@seas.upenn.edu