The middle portion of Pipeline is an S-turn and drop that is sometimes called Second Drop. Third Drop is the most turbulent in the Pipeline Rapid. It is a favorite surfing spot. A milder drop, Fourth Drop, follows about 30 yards below.  

The route winds between two large islands, Mayo’s Island to the right and Vauxall Island to the left. Mayo’s Island has been the location of several recreational and industrial activities, including Tate Field, a minor league baseball park and the Richmond Boat Club. Vauxhall is best know as the site of the drowning of Col. James Branch when a suspension bridge collapsed on his way to a political rally and barbecue in 1869,  

Shortly, we reach Mayo's Island Bridge (also called Mayo's Bridge and 14^th Street Bridge). It was first completed as a privately owned toll bridge in 1788 and rebuilt many times over the years. It was burned by the confederate army as it left the city in April of 1865. The current bridge opened in 1913.  

As we pass under Mayo's Bridge, we enter the tidal portion of the river. It was near this section of Mayo's Bridge that a wayward manatee was spotted by a VCU class in 2002. 

We now return, virtually, to the river above Brown's Island Dam for the alternate south side route. 

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