Damascus to AlvaradoClass II(III)
8 Miles
Avg Gradient 30 fpm
Max Gradient 30 fpm
Kevin on the South Fork Holston
Kevin on the South Fork Holston Photo of Kevin Kelley taken 2007-12-31 @ 500 cfs Gauge Information
Holston, South Fork
Damascus to Alvarado II(III)
River DescriptionThis river is a great run during every season. There are several nice drops and there is one class three at higher levels. It's very fun to run any day of the week. If you have about three hours to spare, grab your gear and come on down to the South Fork of the Holston. At higher levels the river runs very swiftly. This is due to the fact that in most places it is 50 feet wide at the most. If you happen to come out of your boat be prepaired to swim hard and for a long time. The most interesting rapid is about a 1/2 mile from the metal bridge (you will know the bridge when you see it). This rapid is frequently refered to as Tripple Drop and Three-Falls. In order to run this correctly, start off river left and go towards the right. There are some major rocks that one could hit and bust a boat up really well. Half-way down the rapid you want to stay towards the right.Directions: There are several put-ins. One is located right past the Drowning Ford bridge on Route 58 going towards Damascus. Take 58 towards Damascus. You will go down a hill for a good distance and then the road will go to the right around the side of a mountain. There is a road on the right just after you cross the bridge. Take a right and you will see an area that is safe to park your car. You can carry boats down to the river, across the Creaper Trail, and hop right into the river. Be ready as soon as you enter the water because one of the major rapids (Drowning Ford) of the river is just downstream. Other Put-Ins are along Drowning Ford Road. In order to get to the take out, follow the signs on Route 58 to the Vineyard. Go past the Vineyard for about 1/2 of a mile and you will see an opening with picnic tables and cars parked in a lot along the road. This is Alvarado. DO NOT PARK IN THE GRASS! The owner gets very angry at those who do. StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2004-08-22 14:31:25
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S F HOLSTON RIVER NEAR DAMASCUS, VA [ VA ] |
Current Conditions
Station Graphs |
| Level Legend: | Running | Below Minimum Recommended Flow | Above Maximum Recommended Flow | Unknown |
| State | River Name/Section | Class | Level | Rel. Level | Updated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA | Beaverdam Creek— Backbone Rock Park to Laurel Creek (Damascus) | II-III | 68 cfs | low | 10/7 17:45 | |
| VA | Green Cove Creek— AT/Virginia Creeper Trail | III-IV+(V) | 68 cfs* | low | 10/7 17:45 | |
| VA | Holston, South Fork— Damascus to Alvarado | II(III) | 68.00 CFS | low | 10/7 17:45 | |
| VA | Tennessee Laurel Creek— Roadside Laurel | III+(IV) | 68 cfs | low | 10/7 17:45 | |
| VA | Whitetop Laurel Creek— Creek Junction (Route 728) to Route 58 near Damascus | II-IV | 68 cfs | low | 10/7 17:45 |
| AW Gauge ID: | 1765 |
| USGS Station: | 03473000 |
| HUC: | 06010102 |
| Latitude: | 36.6517 |
| Longitude: | -81.8442 |
| Class: | 4 |
No guide books for this stream. If you know of a book that describes this stream please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. User Comments |
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2008-03-29 06:26:50 (192 days ago)
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2008-01-14 04:42:33 (267 days ago)
Kevin Kelley
The true min for this run is about 200 cfs. I have done at 150 but it is a little rough, 200cfs there is plenty of water. This is a great run for folks just getting into the sport or for us who like staying local and having some great class II rapids. Very pretty stretch to.
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2007-06-24 03:02:19 (471 days ago)
Russell Bailey
Ran from Drowning Ford to Alvarado today June 24, 2007, at 148 cfs. Two boats - my brother and 2.5 year old niece in one, me and my 3 year old daughter in the other.
Scrapy several places, and almost had to get out at one, but I would say the minimum is somewhat lower than 148 cfs and closer to 100 cfs. My brother and I each felt there was ample water to get down it (although not enough to be a play run - but with little kids that was not our focus).
It was a delightful run - interesting drops and good gradient but nothing very big. I'll definitely run it again when in the area.
Very easy shuttle biking along the river on the Virginia Creeper trail.
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2005-06-14 13:49:49 (1211 days ago)
Richard Hopley
I don't understand "Suggested Min. Level"; that sounds awfully subjective to me.<br />
<br />
I think of "boating zero" as "the lowest level at which a boater, skilled to the class at which the stream is rated, can get down without having to get out of his boat (barring strainers and other ephemera). This is a fairly objective criterion.<br />
<br />
By that definition, the minimum for this stream is somewhere below 430cfs/3.6', because on June 11, 2005 I ran ~9 miles from VA-724 to Alvarado at that level barely touching any rocks. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that boating zero is actually closer to 300 cfs.<br />
<br />
It would be nice if AW adjusted this minimum to turn the S.F.Holston green at -- say, until better intelligence is in -- 400cfs, because this is a delighful pretty float for Class II paddlers, and it's a shame to send them elsewhere when it is boatable.<br />
<br />
-Oci-One Kanubi, His Kanubic Travesty
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No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
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