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Virginia | Spotsylvania County and Fredericksburg / lower Rappahannock
Rappahannock RiverMotts Run to Old Mill Park, Fredericksburg
A 4.5-mile Rappahannock run from the public Motts Run Landing to the Old Mill Park canoe/kayak launch. The reach combines Class I-II water, bridge and boulder hazards, and the Class II/III Falmouth rapids below the former Embrey Dam.
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A named public-endpoint Rappahannock run with direct stage telemetry, documented Class I-III features, and an urban Fredericksburg takeout.
Access map
Put-in
Motts Run Landing (Route 618)Virginia DWR lists Motts Run as a public boat slide at 38.31367219, -77.54058294. Verify current parking, ramp condition, operating notices, and any water-supply restrictions before launching.
Take-out
Old Mill Park canoe/kayak launchFredericksburg lists Old Mill Park as a canoe/kayak launch at 2201 Caroline Street. Verify park hours, parking, seasonal fees, weather closures, and whether the launch is open on the day of travel.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Virginia DWR lists Motts Run as a public boat slide at 38.31367219, -77.54058294. Verify current parking, ramp condition, operating notices, and any water-supply restrictions before launching.
- Fredericksburg lists Old Mill Park as a canoe/kayak launch at 2201 Caroline Street. Verify park hours, parking, seasonal fees, weather closures, and whether the launch is open on the day of travel.
- American Whitewater’s optional City Docks continuation is not part of this route card. Do not extend downstream without a separately verified takeout and hazard plan.
Watch for
- USGS 01668000 below 2.5 ft, above 4.5 ft, rapidly rising, unavailable, or inconsistent with the river visual
- I-95 bridge pilings and boulders, Hunters Mill/Carter Never Saw It, Falmouth rapids, wood, cold water, thunderstorms, and poor downstream visibility
- closed endpoint, insufficient daylight, crowded urban takeout, or a failed shuttle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg, VA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
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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.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg, VA |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 2.75 ft to 4.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 2.50 ft |
| High threshold | 4.50 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater Motts Run–Fredericksburg reach: 2.5–4.5 ft community range at USGS 01668000 |
| Gauge source | Checking |
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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 corridorMotts Run to Old Mill Park; 4.5 miles; Class I-III
American Whitewater names the exact reach, public Motts Run put-in, Old Mill Park takeout, hazards, and optional longer continuation.
- Direct live gauge and thresholdUSGS 01668000 gage height; 2.5–4.5 ft community range
American Whitewater’s trip-report guidance supplies the station-specific 2.5–4.5 ft planning range; USGS provides continuous stage telemetry. The product band is intentionally narrower.
- Public access and safetyVirginia DWR Motts Run boat slide and Fredericksburg Old Mill Park canoe/kayak launch
Both endpoints are named public facilities. Virginia DCR’s statewide water-access layer locates the existing Old Mill Park launch; American Whitewater documents I-95, Falmouth, and former-Embrey-Dam hazards.
- Camping logisticsNo on-route camping; separate regional basecamp required
The named endpoints are day-use city/DWR facilities and do not grant shoreline camping rights.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Quick answers
Rappahannock River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Motts Run to Old Mill Park, Fredericksburg route on the Rappahannock River?
Paddle Today watches Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg, VA and treats 2.75 ft to 4.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Motts Run to Old Mill Park, Fredericksburg route on the Rappahannock River start and end?
This route starts at Motts Run Landing (Route 618) and ends at Old Mill Park canoe/kayak launch, 4.5 river miles to Old Mill Park (American Whitewater reach continues to 6.8 miles with optional City Docks takeout) on the water.
Is the Motts Run to Old Mill Park, Fredericksburg route on the Rappahannock River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.
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