Cove Creek,

Cove Creek Cascades

Usual Difficulty	IV-V+ (may vary with level)
Length	2 Miles
Avg. Gradient	375 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
CLINCH RIVER AT SPEERS FERRY, VA
usgs-03527000	10000 - 50000 cfs	IV-V+	01h25m	980 cfs (rc= -0.2 )

River Description

Cove Creek has some SERIOUS lumber situations as of the current moment. Most of the creek is clean and portions are runnable in between massive logjams. The creek has been altered by severe flooding and major landslides over the last two years. Keep a check here for updated info on Cove Creek as it comes along.
This is one of those runs that requires a DECENT hike to reach the put in. The hike can get quite confusing due to several ATV trails here that spread out across the forest. It isn't a bad idea to stash the boats and check out the run before putting on. Things can get out of control quick on this creek, when in doubt scout. There are several manky slide combos on the run along with equally manky boulder gardens that change constantly with the flooding. This run drops ~750' in approx 2 miles, making for an average of 375'/mile
The BIG drops are in between where the trail and creek cross paths, there is usually an eddy to stop in where the trail meets the creek. There are two or three drops in particular that deserve attention. Get out here and walk down and check out what you are about to get into. If it doesn't look good, shoulder the boat until things look better. Or turn around and head back to the car.
Most of the drops are scoutable on the way in from the bottom at the Stinking Creek confluence. The best run is from the second crossing upstream back to the confluence.

Be respectful of the folks living downstream of the takeout. Keep the music down, keep the beer in the cooler, and be discreet when changing clothes.