Escape the wind - Paddle Rocky Gorge Reservoir at Browns Bridge
Details
The forecast has gotten too windy to trek down the Anacostia River on Sunday, so I've postponed that one by a week. Instead, let's head to the reliably sheltered reservoir put-in at Brown's Bridge.
As I'm writing this on Wednesday, we're getting a good long rainstorm that should raise the Patuxent plenty to get us upstream. We will put in at Brown's Bridge, make a left and paddle about 1.7 miles upstream. After a short break, we'll head back the way we came. We will surely see plenty of birds, but might also catch a glimpse of Musky or Bucky along the way too!
This is event is suitable for kayaks and canoes (but not inflatables). WSSC does not allow paddle boards on their reservoirs and has been getting more serious about enforcement. If you've got a seat attachment for your SUP and can paddle it sitting down, I think you're in the clear. As always, you must WEAR, not just carry your life jacket/PFD.
WSSC requires a watershed use permit. Permits are $6.25 per day or $72 for the year. I heard that they increased the fine for not having one to $100. You can purchase them online at:
https://my.wsscwater.com/selfcare/views/public/login/login.faces