West Virginia Update

By Justin Owen

Photos

A few months back, John McConville and myself (Justin Owen), headed to West Virginia for our summertime positions as videoboaters at Class 6 River runners. As one could imagine, it has been an unbelievable season! When we are not on the New or Gauley Rivers, we have quenched our thirst for whitewater with the amazing assortment of runs found in the area. Classics such as the Yough, Big Sandy, Cheat, Deckers, and Mill Creek have fueled our passion to all new heights. When there has been less water, we have enjoyed the Gauley at lower ‘creeky’ flows. Before we worked here, neither of us understood how many days out of the year you can actually run this river.

If you are wanting to see one of the worlds best rivers in another light, there are a couple of variables to keep in mind when predicting the flow of the Gauley. The most important is the level of the New. Boatable flows are generally the result of a low Kanawha River. The New and Gauley come together to form this river that still has significant coal barge traffic. When the New is low the Gauley has to augment the flow of the Kanawha. A low New River is a good indicator that the Gauley will be at a fun level. John and I have had enjoyable trips anywhere from 250cfs on up, and around 1000 cfs The Iron Ring is the scariest. If you are coming to the Gauley for fall release or any other time, it might be something to keep in mind. It is a great experience to go ‘creeking’ on this premier river when it isn’t packed with boaters. The release info is updated each morning, the telephone number for the Gauley is (304)872-5809. Hope you enjoy this wonderful resource.

Footnote: The large log that has guarded the left side of the low water cave line at Iron Ring has moved. It is not a factor as far as being a hazard in the rapid. It did allow more water to leave the main line into the cave (the crack that it fell out of is easily visible in the picture of the entrance of the cave line). This could be a factor at certain levels, especially for kayakers. If you are unfamiliar with The Ring at any level… scout it, it changes at every one.

Live from WV,

John McConville & Justin Owen