Pony Pasture Rapids
On river right private homes continue, separated from the river by Riverside Drive. This section, between Huguenot Flatwater and Pony Pasture Rapids, is one of the few places in the Richmond area in which it is possible to drive an automobile in close proximity to the river.  Although very little property separates the road from the river, it is privately owned.

A short distance takes you to Williams Island Dam, also referred to as Z Dam because of its shape. The Z Dam was built by the City in 1932 to keep water flowing on the north side of Williams Island where a higher dam diverts water into the Settling Basin Feeder Canal. This is the City’s water supply. The traditional route is to portage around the dam on river left.  A notch was cut in Z Dam in 1994 to enable the passage of migrating fish.  

From Z Dam downstream for the next ˝ mile or so, the current picks up, taking us to the class 2 Pony Pasture Rapids. Established in197? as a park in the James River Park System, Pony Pasture is a favorite swimming hole and hangout for young people - and was long before it became a public park.

Shortly after passing Pony Pasture Rapids, south and north channels converge.

With the magic of a virtual trip, we can return to the upstream end of Williams Island and take the river left route to the north side of the island.   
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