Paddle TodayFind the best paddle near you today

Live score, water level, and weather.

See all 4 routes on James River

Virginia | Richmond / James River Park System

James RiverPony Pasture Park to Reedy Creek

A roughly 3.5–4.5-mile Class I-II urban whitewater run from Pony Pasture Park to the accessible Reedy Creek takeout. The park partner publishes 3.5 miles while American Whitewater publishes 4.5; American Whitewater also supplies the direct Richmond gauge, route geometry, rapids, and runnable correlation, and the City supplies current public-park and high-water rules.

Route location

Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.

Open access map

Plan this route

Distance4.5 river miles in American Whitewater; 3.5 miles in the park-partner estimate
DifficultyModerate
Typical time2-4 hours depending on stage
ShuttleCar shuttle
The James River viewed from Reedy Creek with the Virginia War Memorial Carillon in the distance.
Route photoJames River from the Reedy Creek takeout areaPhoto by Sean Dudley via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
Pulling the latest gauge and weather. This usually takes a few seconds.
View Primary Source
Embed this route

Route alerts

Email me when this route improves

We'll email you when this route climbs into Good or Strong. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.

We only email on a new threshold crossing.

Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distance4.5 river miles in American Whitewater; 3.5 miles in the park-partner estimatePony Pasture Park to Reedy Creek
DifficultymoderateClass I-II urban whitewater with a II+ boulder garden, changing channels, stronger features as stage rises, long-swim exposure, bridge-pylon strainers, and a mandatory takeout before the Lower James.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at Reedy Creek before launch, confirm that the lot and paddle platform are open, then drive to Pony Pasture. Both parks are day-use facilities and parking can fill; do not block gates, grass, roads, or emergency access.
PermitsNone notedNo current route-specific permit is published on the City park page. Follow posted City of Richmond park rules and current Virginia boating and PFD law. This publication cancels at 9 ft rather than relying on older high-water permit language.
CampingDay tripNo on-route or access-site camping is assumed. Richmond prohibits tents in city parks without a permit; use a lawful off-route lodging or campground if an overnight is needed.
SeasonJan-DecThe reach can run year-round, but current stage and trend, forecast rain, water temperature, bacteria/CSO notices, daylight, park status, and the takeout channel control the launch decision more than the calendar.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A compact urban Class I-II run with public endpoints, direct stage telemetry, distinct rapids, and a mandatory marked takeout before the Lower James.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

Pony Pasture Park canoe and kayak access
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use the established Pony Pasture canoe/kayak access or another clearly posted legal launch inside the park; do not launch at Z-Dam, where American Whitewater reports no parking.

Finish

Take-out

Reedy Creek accessible paddle takeout
Open mapDirections to take-out

Inspect the Reedy Creek takeout before launch. Enter the signed river-right channel after Mitchell's Gut and paddle upstream into Reedy Creek to the platform and stairs.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use the established Pony Pasture canoe/kayak access or another clearly posted legal launch inside the park; do not launch at Z-Dam, where American Whitewater reports no parking.
  • Inspect the Reedy Creek takeout before launch. Enter the signed river-right channel after Mitchell's Gut and paddle upstream into Reedy Creek to the platform and stairs.
  • Park hours are sunrise to sunset. Confirm current closures, water-level restrictions, lot status, and emergency notices before unloading.
  • Do not continue into the Lower James unless it is a separately researched trip with the skill, group, rescue, and access plan appropriate for Class III-IV whitewater.

Watch for

  • USGS 02037500 below 3 ft, at or above 9 ft, rising rapidly, unavailable, or inconsistent with the launch visual
  • Mitchell's Gut boulders, stronger waves and holes, bridge-pylon strainers, long swims, cold water, storms, and floating wood
  • the Reedy Creek takeout sign and river-right channel, crowded or closed lots, water-quality warnings, or recent combined sewer overflows

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.

Browser plans

Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.

Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

------------

Weather

Hourly forecast

Checking weather.

Loading today's forecast.

Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
----Loading--

Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The James River viewed from Reedy Creek with the Virginia War Memorial Carillon in the distance.
James River from the Reedy Creek takeout areaPhoto by Sean Dudley via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: public domain

Score & sources

Why this score

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.

Data status
Checking live inputs.

Pulling the latest gauge and weather. Usually under 10 seconds.

Gauge inputChecking

Waiting on the gauge read.

Weather inputChecking

Waiting on weather.

Next stepChecking

Waiting on enough data to give the next step.

Why this scoreData reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteJames River near Richmond, VA
Gauge heightChecking
DischargeChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range4.00 ft to 7.00 ft
Low threshold3.00 ft
High threshold9.00 ft
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial and local sources
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreAmerican Whitewater direct correlation and Richmond 9-foot expert restriction
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named public corridorPony Pasture Park to Reedy Creek; approximately 3.5–4.5 miles; Class I-II

    The park partner publishes 3.5 miles; American Whitewater publishes 4.5 miles plus the difficulty, route geometry, features, and takeout instructions. Current city and partner pages confirm both public park areas.

    Source

  • Direct live gauge and thresholdsUSGS 02037500; AW low-runnable starts at 3.0 ft; product ceiling 9.0 ft

    American Whitewater directly correlates the Richmond station and describes 7 ft and under as the normal beginner/intermediate range. Richmond independently restricts 9 ft and above to experts.

    Source

  • Public endpoints and mandatory takeoutPony Pasture canoe access to Reedy Creek accessible platform

    The City identifies Reedy Creek as an accessible takeout, and the park system and its partner document established paddle access. American Whitewater supplies the exact river-right channel and platform approach.

    Source

  • Current urban-water safety layerJames River Watch bacteria map plus Richmond CSO information

    JRA says conditions can change quickly, weekly bacteria samples can be overtaken by rain or other events, and Richmond paddlers should also review current combined-sewer-overflow releases.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

Paddler reports

See recent photos and notes from people on the route.

Share your trip

Help build the route page

Add photos or send a quick condition report.

Photos

Upload route photos

Add access, hazard, or on-water photos.

No files selected yet.

Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Virginia

All 49 routes
Virginia route guideBrowse every tracked Virginia route.Richmond / James River Park SystemJump to routes in this region.

More on James River

All 4
Bent Creek Boat Ramp to James River State ParkAppomattox and Buckingham counties / Bent Creek–GladstoneModerate · 9.3 river milesBuchanan to ArcadiaBotetourt County / Upper James River Water TrailModerate · 6.2 river milesIron Gate/Lick Run to Glen WiltonBotetourt County / Iron Gate–Glen WiltonModerate · 2.5 published river miles; endpoint-snapped traces measure about 3.2 miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Appomattox RiverJohn J. Radcliffe Conservation Area to Patton Park · about 23 straight-line mi awayHard · about 7 river milesRivanna RiverCrofton public landing to Palmyra public landing · about 49 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 6.5 river milesNottoway RiverDouble Bridge (Route 619) to Route 630 Bridge · about 49 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 5 river milesHardware RiverRoute 6 access to Hardware River WMA bridge · about 50 straight-line mi awayModerate · 6.8 river miles

Quick answers

James River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Pony Pasture Park to Reedy Creek route on the James River?

Paddle Today watches James River near Richmond, VA and treats 4.00 ft to 7.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Pony Pasture Park to Reedy Creek route on the James River start and end?

This route starts at Pony Pasture Park canoe and kayak access and ends at Reedy Creek accessible paddle takeout, 4.5 river miles in American Whitewater; 3.5 miles in the park-partner estimate on the water.

Is the Pony Pasture Park to Reedy Creek route on the James River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

Flag a change

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.

Report a changeEmail update