North Branch Potomac
Garrett / Mineral Co. · 105 mi · Class II–III
365CFS/ 3.29 ft
Flood→Stable
Water temp: 52°F — Hypothermia risk, wear a drysuit
Optimal: 500–2000 CFS · USGS #01595800
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Jennings Randolph Lake · Mid-Atlantic Tailwater
The North Branch Potomac is a cold-tailwater trout fishery below Jennings Randolph Lake, transformed from an acid-mine-dead river into one of the finest wild rainbow and brown trout streams in the Mid-Atlantic. Scheduled whitewater releases from the dam create classic Class II–III paddling, and the river supports trophy trout for 25 miles below the lake.
Trip sections
Barnum whitewater release — Barnum to Bloomington, Class II–III, 5 mi
Bloomington to Westernport — Class I–II, tailwater trout reach
Westernport to Keyser — Class I, lower river
Outfitters
Spring Creek Outfitter
North Branch Potomac trout guides
72-Hour Flow Forecast
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.