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Elk River, WV

4. Webster Springs to CR7 bridge and gauging station (Down Elk)

Class II-III

17.3 Miles

Avg Gradient 25 fpm

Max Gradient 25 fpm

Gauge Information

Elk River

4. Webster Springs to CR7 bridge and gauging station II-III

low

2.93

9/7 3:30

[detail]

Min Sug. Level:

4.5 ft

Max Sug. Level:

8 ft

River Description

CFS at recommended paddling levels: 4.5' = 400cfs, 8.0 = 5,000 cfs from USGS rating table #26.
4.5 - 5.0' low water, plenty of rock dodging and occasional scraping
5.1 - 6.5' moderate water, nice intermediate run.
6.6 - 8.0' high water, big fluffy waves/hydralics, big river class 3- to 3+
10.0+ Flood stage
At low water conditions most boaters will want to do a shorter trip by using as a take-out/ put-in the Sandy Beach about 9 road miles down Elk on CR 7. At levels below 4.8 and approaching the minimum of 4.5' boaters commonly only do the second part of the run called "Way Down Elk".
The take-out is also know by the locals by various names such as: Clifton Ford bridge, Hans McCourt bridge, Bridge to Nowhere, Million Dollar Bridge. At levels below 4.8 most boaters take out at the "Pines" (definitely Hemlocks) about 1 1/2 mile short of the bridge.

StreamTeam Status: unverified

Last Updated: 2006-03-25 08:56:36