3. Great Falls (Fish Ladder)

The Fish Ladder is the river left side channel of Great Falls along the C&O Canal towpath on the Maryland side. It is the largest of a network of small parallel channels that form Olmstead Island, carrying perhaps 10- 20 % of the total flow of the Potomac River. It was often thought to be easier than Great Falls proper, but still deserves a solid class V rating due to the difficulty of the crux and the nasty conditions of the riverbed, which shifts frequently. This channel was altered in 1892  By the Army Corps of Enginners and has been deteriorating ever since, leaving sharp rocks, chunky 'Cheese Grater' concrete, steel beams, rebar, railings from a washed out bridge and other hazards than can seriously injure an upside down boater, and tear holes in a plastic kayak. The name fishladder primarily applies to the far river left channel where the concrete slides define the crux on the run. The smaller Tight Quarters, Bridge Channel, and Olmstead channel break off to the right before the 1st slide.   The 'Back Canyon' is the narrow box canyon that splits off to the right just before the footbridge, with small rock islands and the 'Bitch Monkey" drop separating them. Paddling the Fish Ladder, you are also in full view of the Park visitors, and history has proven that folks will dial 911 if they see anything other than clean lines, so don't screw up! The hazards are unfortunate but on the correct line at the correct water levels its great fun and probably won't damage your boat. All of the rapids, with the exception of the last slide, can be pre-scouted from the trail network along the C&O Canal Towpath and the footbridge leading to the Great Falls overlook. This channel collects wood  like the NSA collects phone records..... so be sure to look first.  Logjams move annually, and several riverbed changes have occured in recent years. most notably the 3rd Slide kicking harder towards The Bitch Monkey, and new rocks in the pinch of the Back Canyon. To learn more about the history of the Fish Ladder, read this description on the C&O Canal website. Related reaches: Great Falls (Center Lines), Great Falls (MD Lines), and Great Falls (VA Lines).