West
Virginia
Whitewater
Rafting |
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West
Virginia
Whitewater Rivers
More
than 20 whitewater rafting
outfitters and guide companies are licensed to operate on nine West
Virginia whitewater rivers, including the "Big Three" that have won the Mountain State
world fame as a whitewater rafting destination -- the New River, the
Gauley River, and the Cheat River. The
preview information of West Virginia's whitewater rivers will expand
soon to
include detailed surveys of each
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| Big
Sandy River |
Renown
for its waterfalls and sudden plummets, the Big
Sandy River, a tributary of the Cheat, yields a
temperamental high-water run on Class III and IV
whitewater rapids.
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| Cheat
River |
The
remote, boulder-strewn canyon of the Cheat
River can be
leisurely and lonely or raucous and raging. Spring
thaws create highly technical Class III-to-V+
rapids recommended for experienced whitewater
rafters. The remote nature of this 12-mile,
boulder-filled river canyon makes it a special
treat. More than 30 whitewater rapids -- with
names such as "Decision," "Big
Nasty," "Even Nastier," and
"High Falls" -- are best challenged
April through early June.
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| Gauley
River |
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Dropping
more than 668 feet through a 28-miles gorge, the
Gauley River features more than 100 white water rapids
with huge waves, steep gradients, and technical
runs. Its challenging rapids and scenic beauty
have earned it the rank of the world's seventh
most popular whitewater river. The upper Gauley
features Class III to V+ drops through steep,
turbulent chutes and rocky routes that demand
constant maneuvering. This section requires
experience, and rafter must be 16 or older. The
lower, 12-mile stretch includes Class III-to-V
rapids, and rafters must 12-to-14, depending upon
the outfitter. The lower Gauley is often run as a
warm-up for a day on the upper section. The Gauley
rages for 20 days in autumn, during "Gauley
Season" when Summersville Reservoir is
lowered to accommodate snowmelt. Because of
limited space and intense popularity, reservations
must book quickly.
Latest
streamflow
and elevation data for the Gauley River via
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' The
Whitewater Pages (opens in new
Browser window.)
Latest
Gauley
River levels
& streamflow conditions
from WVa Whitewater
(opens in new Browser window.)
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| Meadow
River -- Bluestone River |
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Runnable
only when swollen by spring rains, both rivers
provide Class III to V white water rapids within
nationally protected West Virginia mountain
gorges. The Bluestone
River, in Bluestone Country, feeds
into the New River at Bluestone Lake. The Meadow
River, in Whitewater Country, feeds into the
Gauley.
Latest
streamflow
and elevation data via the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers' The Whitewater Pages (opens in
new Browser window.)
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| New
River |
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A
contradiction in terms, the New River is the
oldest river in the western hemisphere. From the
summits of the Blue Ridge in North Carolina, it
meanders north, gaining in volume and velocity,
until entering the New River Gorge as the New
River Gorge National River, part of the national
park system. One of the most spectacular canyons
in the east, its depth ranges from 700 to 1,300
feet. Herein, the river drops 240 feet over a
14-mile stretch of Class I-to-V rapids. Outfitters
and guides generally divide the New River into
three sections -- the upper lends itself to
leisurely float fishing trips, the middle offers
moderate rapids suited for novices (Class II and
III), the raging lower boasts roaring Class
II-to-V whitewater rapids. Favorite whitewater
rapids include "Surprise," "Double
Z," "Miller's Folly," and
"Thread the Needle." Other favorite
whitewater spots include "Swimmer's
Rapid" and "Jump Rock."
Latest
streamflow
and elevation data for New River via the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers' The Whitewater Pages
(opens in new Browser window.)
Latest
New
Rivers
levels & streamflow conditions
from WVa
Whitewater
(opens in new Browser window.)
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| North
Branch of the Potomac River |
When
water is released from Jennings Randolph Lake, the
North Branch becomes another of West Virginia's
most-challenging spring runs. It rages along the
Maryland border above the West Virginia eastern
panhandle in the Potomac Branches region.
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| Shenandoah
River |
Upstream
of its junction with the Potomac River in the
Harpers Ferry National Historic District, the
Shenandoah River flows through one of the most beautiful
of American landscapes -- the Great Valley of
Virginia. Its most frequently rafted stretch
begins above Harpers Ferry with Class I riffles
before descending the Class III
"Staircase." This West Virginia
whitewater river is ideal for families, winding
among historic towns only two hours west of
Washington, D.C.
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| Tygart
River |
Though
ranked among the mightiest of mountain rivers, The
Tygart River is rarely crowded. White water rapids range
from Class I to V and include "Wells
Falls," the most powerful, runable drop in
the Monongahela River Basin. "Valley
Falls," offers a short-but-intense 25-foot
slide. High water runs in spring are often
combined with a day on the Cheat. Whitewater
rafters on this West Virginia river must be at
least 12.
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