These are directions for rowers/crews. Paddlers and Kayakers should contact the Washington Canoe Club Aquatics Committee. Users of rental boats should consult the rental agency for information.Notation of river traffic starts at Fletcher's Cove and works progressively downstream. Most information concerns rowing shells. Paddlers are asked to use the river closest to the D.C. shore from Key Bridge to Fletchers Cove and to use the prescribed traffic pattern downstream. For simplicity US= upstream, and DS= downstream.


A. Fletcher's Cove

1. UScrews should turn no more than 10-20 strokes above the end of the island on the starboard side (or DC Harbor Police Buoy) that signals the beginning of the cove.
2. Crews should be aware that there are many rock hazards on the DC side of the cove.

B. Hens and Chickens

1. DS Crews must follow the VA shoreline closely at all times. The area is prone to congestion and is narrow.
2. US Crews should follow a near straight line from Three Sisters Islands to the Hens and Chickens.
- In the area between the Three Sisters Islands, and the Hens and Chickens, slow moving crews or crews wishing to do drills should slideto the DC side of the river to avoid faster moving traffic going US.However, crews must be aware that the river area 250 meters from theDC shore is used by and the domain of canoes and kayaks.

C. Three Sister's Islands to Key Bridge

1. When passing between the Three Sisters Islands and the VA shore teamboats (4's and 8's) should be no more than 3 abreast, smaller boats no morethan 4 abreast.
2. DS Crews should follow the curve of the VA shore and pick a coursethrough the second arch from starboard of Key Bridge only after passing the Three Sisters Islands.
3. DS Exiting Key Bridge, crews should aim for the point of land onRoosevelt Island that is directly opposite Thompson Boat Center at the bend of the river.
4. US crews should go through the 2nd arch from DC on Key Bridge and aimfor the Three Sisters Island that sits farthest towards the VA shore. The 1st arch of Key Bridge on the D.C. side is reserved for Potomac Boat Club crews whoare landing.
5. US After passing through Key Bridge, crews should pick a point just to theport side of the Three Sisters Islands. Crews should work together so that theymay pass the islands as closely as possible and still remain out of the path ofcrews headed downstream.

D. George Washington Race Course- 3 Sisters to Thompson Boat Center

When the GW Race course is in place during the mid to late spring, the following rules apply during non-regatta days.
1. DS Crews should use lanes 2-4 (lane 4 is closest to VA shore) only! No crew heading DS should use lane 1. US crews should stay off the course except when passing around the Three Sisters Islands.
2. Slow moving crews using the course above Key Bridge should give way to faster crews. No crew should stop and impede traffic while on the course.
3. Crews should leave the course and take a standard course on the river once they have reached the upstream end of the “Crew Wall” (where crews have their team color painted).

E. Theodore Roosevelt Bridge

1. DS Use the 1st arch directly next to Roosevelt Island.
2. US Use arch number 1 or 2 from DC shore. 1 primarily for crews returning to Thompson Boat Center.
- once crews enter the bridge they should take course that points them on the “white tower” visible in the Washington Harbor complex.
- Once at the bend of the river crews should point on the “slanting” building visible in Georgetown and then align themselves to go through the 2nd arch of Key Bridge.

F. T.R. Bridge to Memorial Bridge

1. DS Use arch 1 arch to the right of dark gray center arch.
2. US Use the 2nd Arch from the DC shore.

G. 14th Street Bridges and Below

1. DS Use the arch to the right of the Channel Arch (the one with lights and wood buttressing).
2. Once through the bridges crews should aim for Haines Point (on the DC shore). However, crews travelling upstream have the right of way.
3. USCrews should follow the seawall on the DC shore and pick a line through the bridges that will line them up with the 2nd arch on Memorial Bridge.
4. All crews rowing below 14th street bridge should be aware that crews rowing upstream from the Alexandria Community Boathouse follow a traffic pattern that keeps them along the VA shore even when heading upstream! Be extra aware.

H. Specific River Hazards and the Use of “Little River”

1. The DC side of Fletcher's Cove is very rocky.
2. There are several rocks about 200 meters before the island that forms the entrance to Fletcher's Cove.
3. There are many sunken rocks around Hens & Chickens that are visible only at different tides. No crews should ever go to the DC side of these islands!
4. US There is a rock on the DC ( 20 meters) shore approximately 500 meters from Hens & Chickens. It is some times marked with a white buoy.
5. At the Three Sisters Islands there are several rocks that sit just below the surface. One sits directly next to the most upstream island. Upstream of the main islands there are several large rocks that are almost never visible. One is marked by a white, round floating buoy. There are several rocks adjacent tothis one. Crews should move a minimum of 25 strokes past this buoyed rockbefore cutting in to the DC shore (as warranted). Often at low tide there aremud flats around the islands.
- No crew should ever go between the DC shore and the islands! The water is shallow and navigable only by canoe or kayak.
6. There are mud flats with rocks that appear at low tide located on the VA shore just upstream of Key Bridge.
7. There are several submerged rocks and pipes near a rocky outcrop on Roosevelt Island across from Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown.
8. There is a sunken canal barge approximately 250 meters above Theodore Roosevelt Bridge next to Roosevelt Island. The entire T.R. Islands shoreline is full of sunken debris. Crews should stay around 50 meters off shore.
9. DS of T.R. Island is a mud flat at low tide that also contains several sunken rocks.
10. The DC shore between Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and Memorial Bridge (In front of the “stairs”) is often full of snags and debris.
11. The area between the VA shore and Roosevelt Island known as “Little River” is very shallow and contains numerous submerged rocks, rowing in this area is discouraged.