Cumberland - Cumberland Falls to Laurel River (10.5 miles)


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Cumberland Falls to Laurel River (10.5 miles)

Usual Difficulty III+(IV) (may vary with level)
Length 10.5 Miles
Avg. Gradient 11 fpm

Screaming Right


Screaming Right
Photo of Spalding Hurst by Jay Thomas taken 7/10/05 @ 1500

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
CUMBERLAND RIVER AT WILLIAMSBURG, KY
usgs-03404000 400 - 16000 cfs III+(IV) 00h31m 1600 cfs (rc= 0.1 )


River Description

This is the whitewater section of the Upper Cumberland River. The 10 mile run is Cumberland Falls the Mouth of the Laurel River Boat ramp aka Noe's Dock. Lake Cumberland covers the last few rapids in this section during its summer pool, making the late summer/early fall season as they draw down for winter pool the optimal time to run it. Levels vary, but 705 feet and lower on Lake Cumberland make for all the rapids to be in. This normally coincides with mid-August to September.
In January 2007 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced an emergency drawdown of Lake Cumberland, which is watered by the Cumberland River Basin. This drawdown of 30-60 feet depending on what time of the year it is ensures that the lower rapids (and best Rapids) will not be covered by the lake like it is most of the year. The project to repair the dam, the reason for the drawdown, is expected to take 2-7 years depending upon the sucess and progress of the project. Enjoy!
StreamTeam Status: Verified
Last Updated: 2007-05-21 15:11:57

Editors

Stream Team Editor
Jason Foley
Richmond, KY


Chads First Run on CBF

Detail Trip Report Edit  Chads First Run on CBF  North Fork of the Cumberland River, KY(5.74MB .wmv)

Karl Whipp at Surfers

Detail Trip Report Edit  Karl Whipp at Surfers  Cumberland, KY(17.36KB .jpeg)

Haleigh Byrd at Screaming Right Hand Rapid

Detail Trip Report Edit  Haleigh Byrd at Screaming Right Hand Rapid  Cumberland River below the Falls, KY(44.89KB .jpeg)

Gordon Byrd at Screaming Right Hand Rapid

Detail Trip Report Edit  Gordon Byrd at Screaming Right Hand Rapid  Cumberland River below the Falls, KY(113.83KB .jpeg)

Herbie at Screaming Right Hand Rapid

Detail Trip Report Edit  Herbie at Screaming Right Hand Rapid  Cumberland River below the Falls, KY(70.15KB .jpeg)

Good Friends at Screaming Right

Detail Trip Report Edit  Good Friends at Screaming Right  Cumberland, KY(429.16KB .jpeg)

Codi Foley running Screaming Right

Detail Trip Report Edit  Codi Foley running Screaming Right   Cumberland River, KY(493.47KB .jpeg)

Gordon Byrd at Screaming Right

Detail Trip Report Edit  Gordon Byrd at Screaming Right  Cumberland, KY(410.10KB .jpeg)

Jake gets eaten by Screaming Right

Detail Trip Report Edit  Jake gets eaten by Screaming Right  Cumberland, KY(491.59KB .jpeg)

Haleigh Byrd running Screaming Right

Detail Trip Report Edit  Haleigh Byrd running Screaming Right  Cumberland, KY(439.35KB .jpeg)

Gordon at Screaming Right

Detail Trip Report Edit  Gordon at Screaming Right  Cumberland, KY(441.54KB .jpeg)

Adam at Screaming Right

Detail Trip Report Edit  Adam at Screaming Right  Cumberland, KY(458.96KB .jpeg)

Adam Thomas at Screaming Right Hand Rapid

Detail Trip Report Edit  Adam Thomas at Screaming Right Hand Rapid  Cumberland, KY(478.25KB .jpeg)

Gordon Byrd launching 18' below Cumberland Falls

Detail Trip Report Edit  Gordon Byrd launching 18' below Cumberland Falls  Cumberland, KY(60.37KB .jpeg)

Move over Jeremy

Detail Trip Report Edit  Move over Jeremy  Cumberland River below the Falls, KY(179.80KB .jpeg)

Omer Hall and Jason Foley surfing it up on the Cumberland

Detail Trip Report Edit  Omer Hall and Jason Foley surfing it up on the Cumberland  Cumberland, KY(529.76KB .jpeg)

Doug Simpson and Jason Foley

Detail Trip Report Edit  Doug Simpson and Jason Foley  Cumberland, KY(70.69KB .jpeg)

Jason Foley at Surfing Rapid

Detail Trip Report Edit  Jason Foley at Surfing Rapid  Cumberland, KY(77.66KB .jpeg)

Doug Simpson and Crew

Detail Trip Report Edit  Doug Simpson and Crew  Cumberland, KY(76.72KB .jpeg)

Gordon Byrd hands paddling at Center Rock

Detail Trip Report Edit  Gordon Byrd hands paddling at Center Rock  Cumberland, KY(62.12KB .jpeg)

Dr. Keith Woodward at Center Rock

Detail Trip Report Edit  Dr. Keith Woodward at Center Rock  Cumberland, KY(72.26KB .jpeg)

Keith Woodward and Jason Foley surfing it up on the Cumberland River

Detail Trip Report Edit  Keith Woodward and Jason Foley surfing it up on the Cumberland River  Cumberland, KY(108.32KB .jpeg)

Gordon Byrd hands paddling Surfing Rapid on the Cumberland River in Ky.

Detail Trip Report Edit  Gordon Byrd hands paddling Surfing Rapid on the Cumberland River in Ky.  Cumberland, KY(527.60KB .jpeg)

Dr. Keith Woodward

Detail Trip Report Edit  Dr. Keith Woodward  Cumberland, KY(76.82KB .jpeg)

Gordon Byrd at Surfers Rapid

Detail Trip Report Edit  Gordon Byrd at Surfers Rapid  Cumberland, KY(532.02KB .jpeg)

River Trip 2006

Detail Trip Report Edit  River Trip 2006  Cumberland, KY(2.24MB .jpeg)

Cumberland Falls

Detail Trip Report Edit  Cumberland Falls  Cumberland, KY(2.18MB .jpeg)

Steve and Beth Wiggley

Detail Trip Report Edit  Steve and Beth Wiggley  Cumberland, KY(506.55KB .jpeg)

Mandy Williams at Cumberland Falls

Detail Trip Report Edit  Mandy Williams at Cumberland Falls  Cumberland, KY(503.61KB .jpeg)

Dave Wisner at Screaming Right

Detail Trip Report Edit  Dave Wisner at Screaming Right  Cumberland, KY(654.87KB .jpeg)

Mandy Williams at Screaming Right

Detail Trip Report Edit  Mandy Williams at Screaming Right  Cumberland, KY(739.97KB .jpeg)

Dave at the bottom of the falls

Detail Trip Report Edit  Dave at the bottom of the falls  Cumberland, KY(492.93KB .jpeg)

Steve and Beth at screaming right

Detail Trip Report Edit  Steve and Beth at screaming right  Cumberland, KY(2.26MB .jpeg)

19733.jpeg

Detail Trip Report Edit  19733.jpeg  @Cumberland Cumberland Falls to Laurel River (10.5 miles), KY(1.40MB .jpeg)

Screaming Wrong

Detail Trip Report Edit  Screaming Wrong  Cumberland, KY(791.34KB .mov)

Screaming Right

Detail Trip Report Edit  Screaming Right  Cumberland, KY(755.43KB .mov)


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Gauge Information

Gauge Description:

The current gauge is the USACE Williamsburg station gauge which lies 17 miles upstream. Note that it takes the water at least half a day to get from Williamsburg to the Falls. The min suggested is the lowest level for fun but can be ran down to about 200 CFS before hell takes over. Levels above 10000 CFS could make for really long swims. The highest level it has known to be paddled is 23,500 CFS and was a wild big water ride.

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
CUMBERLAND RIVER AT WILLIAMSBURG, KY
usgs-03404000 400 - 16000 cfs III+(IV) 00h31m 1600 cfs (rc= 0.1 )

RangeWater LevelDifficultyComment
400 -16000 cfs barely runnable-high runnable III+(IV)

Report - Reports of Cumberland Cumberland Falls to Laurel River (10.5 miles) and related gauges

Reports give the public a chance to report on river conditions throughout the country as well as log the history of a river.

Reports

When River/Gauge Subject Level Reporter
CumberlandCumberland Falls to Laurel River (10.5 miles) [KY] IK wipe out on Screaming right hand rapid n/a brett finkleman
Cumberland Below the Falls [KY] Center Rock 2000 Jason Foley
Cumberland [KY] Cumberland Shuttle n/a Jason Foley
Cumberland [KY] Screaming Right 1500cfs Spalding Hurst
CumberlandCumberland Falls to Laurel River (10.5 miles) [KY] 19733.jpeg n/a will reeves
Cumberland River below the Falls [KY] Move over Jeremy 1,500cfs Gordon Byrd
Cumberland River below the Falls [KY] Haleigh Byrd at Screaming Right Hand Rapid 1,500cfs Gordon Byrd
Cumberland [KY] Karl Whipp at Surfers n/a Lawrence Cable
2y108d06h31m Cumberland [KY] Dad lovin life 2000 CFS Jason Foley
2y150d06h31m Cumberland River [KY] Codi Foley running Screaming Right 380 cfs Gordon Byrd
2y157d06h31m Cumberland [KY] Showin us how its done 350 Jason Foley
2y173d14h31m Cumberland [KY] Running Last Drop 500 Jason Foley
2y176d06h31m Cumberland River [KY] Grilling out river style n/a brett finkleman
2y182d06h31m Cumberland [KY] Good Friends at Screaming Right 380 cfs Gordon Byrd
2y185d06h31m Cumberland River [KY] Looking Good 1000 brett finkleman
2y192d06h31m Cumberland River [KY] Scott and Stumpy n/a brett finkleman
2y226d14h31m Cumberland [KY] Bradfords Rock 1500 Jason Foley
2y256d14h31m North Fork of the Cumberland River [KY] Chads First Run on CBF 1450 n/a
2y352d14h31m Cumberland [KY] Top of last drop 1900 cfs Jason Foley
3y120d14h31m Cumberland [KY] River Trip 2006 n/a Gordon Byrd

Report Table Options

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World Whitewater: A Global Guide for River Runners
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User Comments
2007-12-04 10:12:06 (708 days ago)
Kevin BlackDetails
When the lake is filled again there are two possibilities of a takeout about 3-4 miles before the
boat ramp at devil's creek and bark camp creek. Devils creek is an old road that would require a
4x4 outfitted for aggressive situations and bark camp is a 1/4 mile up hill hike back to the road.
I had directions posted for devils creek, but thought best not to advise this one. Bark camp can be
accessed via 1277, left onto FR 193, first right onto FR 551 and go to the end of the gravel. Trail
will continue downhill. Otherwise, just paddle to the ramp.
2007-04-30 07:24:34 (926 days ago)
Will CrimminsDetails
Myself and two friends paddled the cumberland river this past weekend and learned two things. One,
to find the take out you must turn left on 1193 when headed east on 25 to find 1277 and the take
out. Secondly, Last Drop is a bit tricky when the river is running at 5000cfs or more. My friend
had to wet exit at the top of the rapid and was pushed into the boulder mid stream where he was
temporarily pinned then continued to river left of the first big boulder to a second boulder which
he was pinned on then sucked underneath giving me the impression that the boulder is undercut. When
looking downstream from up above last drop @5000+ cfs, you see a huge boulder where the main river
flow hits, to the left of that main boulder its the second boulder over that is undercut. Please
use caution when running this rapid!
2006-10-27 06:33:13 (1111 days ago)
Bill LynchDetails
The paddle out took an hour and a half when the lake was at winter pool.
Add a Comment

Rapid Summary

Mile Rapid Name Class Features (Legend)
0.0Put InPutin
0.5InitiationII
1.0Center RockIIIHazard Photo
2.0MiseryII+Hazard
2.5Bradfords RockII+Hazard Photo
3.0Willie Nelson'sII+
3.4Dog Slaugter shoalsIIHazard
3.8SurfersII+Photo
4.0PinballIIIPhoto
4.2Screaming RightIII+Photo
5.0StairstepsIIIPhoto
5.3Last DropIII+Photo
7.5Bark Camp Creek ShoalsII+
10.0Take-outTakeout

Rapid Descriptions

Put In
The put in is right below Cumberland Falls State Park. Park at the Falls parking lot and walk between the two buildings and veer right to find the upper most cobblestone path and follow it all the way down to the sandy beach.From interstate 75 exit 25 in Corbin take 25W west approx 10 miles to highway 90 and follow the signs another 6 miles to Cumberland Falls State Park. See the Cumberland Shuttle Map



Initiation (Class II, Mile 0.5)
Small wave train right down the middle. With a shallow hole on the right side entrance.

Center Rock (Class III, Mile 1.0)

Center rock from up high

Center rock from up high
Photo of Center Rock Rapid by Duane Cottle taken 7/1/2006 @ 800

A two tiered drop. The first being a basic wave train above 800 CFS leading you straight into the second. The second drop is where it gets its name beacuse of the huge boulder in the middle of the river creating a nice set of splat spots and pillows. There have been reports of it being undercut but I have seen it at less than 100CFS and it does not appear to be, please proceed with caution.

Misery (Class II+, Mile 2.0)
Straight down the middle wave train that virtually goes unnoticed. It gets its name from river guides at low water. At high water the eddies are very strong here. At 23500 a 20' curler wave forms from left bank curling right.

Bradfords Rock (Class II+, Mile 2.5)

Bradfords Rock

Bradfords Rock
Photo of Undercut rock by Dave Leachman taken 3/31/07 @ 1500

A pretty straight forward rapid except for the huge undercut on river right. At most levels over 800 CFS it is a tasters choice, (go where you want), it is shallow across the entire river and the slot on the left of the undercut feeds into it somewhat. River right is safe but you must paddle in front of the undercut. At low levels right is the only line.

Willie Nelson's (Class II+, Mile 3.0)
This one gets its name because just like Willie Nelson it sounds much better than it looks. Boofing spots galore on river left but beware there is at least one human sized pothole in this rapid. Straight down the middle is the conventional line.

Dog Slaugter shoals (Class II, Mile 3.4)
Coming in just downstream of the biggest tributary (Dogslaughter Creek) on the section this is a very un-noteworthy rapid except undercuts on the right and left. The right one is big as a two story house and the one on the left is much smaller but will pull you in from the current blowing into it. The left undercut currently has strained out with large trees and a canoe. You can't miss the only two big boulders in the section they are the ones to avoid, right down the middle. At low water (below 400CFS) far left and directly in front of the undercut is the only route.

Surfers (Class II+, Mile 3.8)

Surfers

Surfers
Photo of Omer Hall and Jason Foley by Gordon Byrd taken Summer 2004 @ 1000

River wide hole that is the best play on the entire river. Great for spins, 360's and learning surfers. The river right side is more of a deeper hole and the left is the best eddy. It is head knocking shallow here so don't even think of that upstream brace! Good eddies on each side make it nice to stay and play all day!

Pinball (Class III, Mile 4.0)

Lower part of pinball

Lower part of pinball
Photo of Luke by Andy Dill taken 10/18/03 @ 700

This rapid is a lot of fun but at low water has many pinning hazards. At flows above 12000 CFS this rapid has two incredible holes for big air play right in the middle.

Screaming Right (Class III+, Mile 4.2)

Screaming Right

Screaming Right
Photo of Spalding Hurst by Jay Thomas taken 7/10/05 @ 1500

A great first teacher of technicality ,at lower levels but a humoungus munchy riverwide hole at levels above 2000 CFS. Be careful and scout when this rapid is in. This is the first of the lake rapids that require Lake Cumberland to be below winter pool.

Stairsteps (Class III, Mile 5.0)

Middle of Stairsteps

Middle of Stairsteps
Photo of Guy Cottle by Duane Cottle taken 11/25/06 @ 1900 cfs

A great big water style rapid with several offset holes and one really great catch on the fly wave. Pretty much down the middle and be prepared to punch some holes. Another under the lake rapid until the lake drops significantly around the first of August.

Last Drop (Class III+, Mile 5.3)

Top of last drop

Top of last drop
Photo of Guy Cottle by Duane Cottle taken 11/25/06 @ 1900 cfs

A great rapid at all levels but many munchy holes at the bigger levels. A river left pourover and pillow at the bottom. This upgrades to a IV or V at levels 5000 CFS and above.

Bark Camp Creek Shoals (Class II+, Mile 7.5)
In when Lake Cumberland is below 690 ft. Its a straight forward rapid with a nice hidden surfing wave in the middle.

Take-out
From the end of the whitewater to the take-out is 3+ miles of flat water depending upon the season and Lake Cumberland's pool elevation. This paddle out takes 1-2 hours depending on the water level. The current can only help you if the river is running 1000CFS or more, with less its a longer paddle.

The local outfitters offer a tow out only during the summer months and only when they have raft trips. With the current Lake Cumberland drawdown the entire run is exposed but still mostly flat water, the outfitter can only tow you about 1 mile which means you can be at the take out by the time they are loaded and ready to take you downstream.

The take out is a ramp that sits at the mouths of the Cumberland and the Laurel Rivers. These two form to make the headwaters of Lake Cumberland. From interstate 75 exit 25 in Corbin take 25W west approx 5 miles to 1193/1277. 1193 turns right and 1277 dead ends at the take out. Click here for a link to the shuttle: Cumberland Shuttle Map





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