Fishway Rapids and Pipeline Rapids

After getting my VA fishing license, I started to explore options for river access points near my home. After looking at several resources, I stumbled upon something that I never knew existed. It was the pipeline walk that runs in between the southern tip of Brown's Island, past Haxall Point, and down toward Vistas on the James. Just a short walk from the parking lot, the trail will take you along the flood wall to a small ladder that drops you onto the walkway. You can also enter from Browns Island but it is hard to find if you don't know where to look. It is a very unique perspective of downtown Richmond that very few have seen. 

Extremely dangerous during high waters. See footer notes below on Westham gauge.

Pipeline walk and Seal Team PT out for an early morning run.

Looking south toward Sun Trust Mortgage and UPS under 9th Street bridge.

Looking down the flood wall at the BB&T building.

Railroad bridge near S. 14th Street / Vistas On The James

PARKING LOT IS SMALL AND VERY LIMITED

Fishway Rapids and Pipeline Rapids consists of a hole in the Manchester Dam (located just beyond and to the right of the VEPCO Levee) and allows shad to move upstream in the spring. This main current becomes a series of rapids that follow a large steel pipe with a walkway on top. Warning: between about 7 and 8 feet, at the Westham gauge, the river develops a deadly cross-current that can sweep boaters into a strainer on the left from which there is no escape. ( Description courtesy of Richmond Regional Planning District Commission )