Near McHenry in Garrett County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Whitewater Boating on the Upper Youghiogheny River

Deep Creek Lake 100 Years

— 1925 • 2025 —

Whitewater Boating on the Upper Youghiogheny River Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 12, 2025

1. Whitewater Boating on the Upper Youghiogheny River Marker

Inscription.

Whitewater Boating on the Upper Youghiogheny River. Deep Creek Lake 100 Years. , Whitewater boating on the Upper Youghiogheny River offers a world-class - and exciting - experience. Kayakers began to run the “Upper Yough” in the 1970’s. In 1981, the first commercial company (Precision Rafting, still operating) was formed in Friendsville to provide guided whitewater rafting opportunities for guests, including first-timers. In recent years, on the order of 10,000 people enjoy the whitewater experience annually, a roughly equal combination of individual kayakers and guests taking commercially-offered trips., The whitewater adventure is roughly a 10 mile run. Boats are launched in the area of the Sang Run bridge and taken out in Friendsville. The challenging Class IV/Class V rapids are found in a 5 mile stretch in the middle of the run. The commercial trips involve relatively small rafts which carry 3 guests and a guide; these are designed to be particularly agile and durable. Beyond purely recreational trips, a nationally and internationally recognized kayaking competition is held each year., The waters of Deep Creek Lake play a key role in enabling the whitewater opportunities on the Upper Yough. Although the downstream river flow in the late spring may provide a good whitewater experience in some years, the Class IV/Class V challenge - for which the Upper Yough is known - generally relies on water being released from the dam, flowing through the hydroelectric power plant, and then entering the river. Until 1994, boaters would have to “catch releases” which were scheduled for power generation purposes. Since 1994, the Water Appropriations Permit, issued by the State of Maryland, has ensured up to 64 scheduled whitewater releases annually from mid-April to mid-October. And, there are unscheduled releases with the times publicized for all interested boaters., Whitewater boating continues to provide a unique outdoor adventure opportunity and to be an important attraction of Garrett County.

Whitewater boating on the Upper Youghiogheny River offers a world-class - and exciting - experience. Kayakers began to run the “Upper Yough” in the 1970’s. In 1981, the first commercial company (Precision Rafting, still operating) was formed in Friendsville to provide guided whitewater rafting opportunities for guests, including first-timers. In recent years, on the order of 10,000 people enjoy the whitewater experience annually, a roughly equal combination of individual kayakers and guests taking commercially-offered trips.

The whitewater adventure is roughly a 10 mile run. Boats are launched in the area of the Sang Run bridge and taken out in Friendsville. The challenging Class IV/Class V rapids are found in a 5 mile stretch in the middle of the run. The commercial trips involve relatively small rafts which carry 3 guests and a guide; these are designed to be particularly agile and durable. Beyond purely recreational trips, a nationally and internationally recognized kayaking competition is held each year.

The waters of Deep Creek Lake play a key role in enabling the whitewater opportunities on the Upper Yough.

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Although the downstream river flow in the late spring may provide a good whitewater experience in some years, the Class IV/Class V challenge - for which the Upper Yough is known - generally relies on water being released from the dam, flowing through the hydroelectric power plant, and then entering the river. Until 1994, boaters would have to “catch releases” which were scheduled for power generation purposes. Since 1994, the Water Appropriations Permit, issued by the State of Maryland, has ensured up to 64 scheduled whitewater releases annually from mid-April to mid-October. And, there are unscheduled releases with the times publicized for all interested boaters.

Whitewater boating continues to provide a unique outdoor adventure opportunity and to be an important attraction of Garrett County.

Erected 2025 by Deep Creek Lake Centennial Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1981.

Location. 39° 33.931′ N, 79° 25.593′ W. Marker is near McHenry, Maryland,

Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 12, 2025

2. Whitewater Boating on the Upper Youghiogheny River Marker

in Garrett County. It is on Sang Run Road 0.2 miles south of Oakland Sang Run Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in the Youghiogheny River boating access parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3330 Sang Run Road, Mc Henry MD 21541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region

and in Western Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sang Run Election House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sang Run State Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Grave of Meshack Browning (approx. 3.4 miles away); The National Road (approx. 3.6 miles away); Western Maryland (approx. 3.6 miles away); An Attraction for Visitors (approx. 3.6 miles away); Wisp Ski Resort

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(approx. 4.1 miles away); Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Company (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McHenry.

Other markers no longer nearby. Gettysburg Campaign (was approx. 3.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named The National Road (was approx. 3.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 85 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.