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Emergency Management Menu
Boating & Kayaking Safety
Boating or canoeing on the Upper Potomac River can be a rewarding experience and a lot of fun. Many areas of the river, however, should only be attempted by boaters and canoeists with extensive experience, or with a certified white water instructor. For your safety, boating and canoeing are not recommended in these areas:
- Dam # 3 to US 340 bridge – Class III rapids (hazardous)
- Little Falls to Chain Bridge – Class V rapids (significant hazard to life)
- Great Falls area – Class VI rapids (extreme risk to life) Boating and canoeing in these areas is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted when water levels are above normal.
Paddle Smart from the Start
- Wear Your Lifejacket – Expect to capsize and swim occasionally when paddling a canoe, kayak, stand up paddle board (SUP) or raft. Learn more about life jackets and how they might just save your life. Remember, the law in Maryland states that all recreational vessels (i.e., motorboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and any other device capable of being used for transportation on the water, when the vessel is being used for other than commercial purposes) must have at least one United States Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on board. Each life jacket must be in good condition, be the proper size for the intended wearer and, very importantly, be readily accessible. Readily accessible means you must be able to put the life jacket on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency. Life jackets should not be stowed in plastic bags or in locked or closed compartments, and they should not have other gear stowed on top of them. Preferably, they should be WORN by the intended wearer – They float, you don’t!
- Rules of the Road – Paddlers are boaters too and it is very important to know understand all the rules of the waters you are paddling on. Learn more about what paddlers need to know when sharing the waterways.
- Safety Check – Being prepared is an important part of any boating adventure. Make sure you consider the following safety tips the next time you head out on the water.
- Cold Water Survival – Cold water is extremely dangerous and many boaters do not realize that cold water immersion can occur in water as warm as 77 degrees Fahrenheit! Learn more about protecting yourself in this environment.
- Take an on-water course – whether it’s a safety or skill development course, on-water instruction provides the information you need for canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, rafting or safety & rescue. Visit www.americancanoeassociation.org for more information on classes.
Emergency Management
100 West Washington Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Phone: (240) 313-4360
Fax: (240) 313-2901
