4. Upper James into Richmond

This section of the James at normal and lower levels (7ft and under) is great for beginner and intermediate paddlers looking to hone their skills. At higher water (above 7ft) a variety of play features start to come in. The difficulty increases with volume, but the rapids are manageable. Due to the considerable width of the river, boaters are cautioned that swims can be long and tiring. If you are a good class III boater with a solid roll, you should have no problem paddling the upper at higher levels. As the water level exceeds 9ft, go around the bigger holes, avoid strainer piles upstream of bridge pylons and avoid eddy lines and whirlpools behind them. Depending on water and skill levels, paddlers may putin at the steps below Pony Pasture rapid or walk upsteam to putin and play the features in Pony Pasture. Additionally, at water levels above 14ft, advanced paddlers will often putin at the Huguenot Flatwater to add the play wave at Z-dam to their Upper run. The channel to the takeout at Reedy Creek is indicated by an orange, black and white sign on the upstream end of an island near river right below Mitchell's Gut rapid. Be sure to start working your way over there early unless you plan to run the considerably more difficult Lower James section that follows immediately thereafter.