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.

Cumberland Riv @ Williamsburg [ KY ]

Current Conditions Stage Flow Updated 2.55 150 9/5 21:00 Station Graphs

Linked Reaches

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Level Legend:

Running

Below Minimum Recommended Flow

Above Maximum Recommended Flow

Unknown

Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State	River Name/Section	Class	Level	Rel. Level	Updated
KY	Cumberland— Cumberland Falls to Laurel River (10.5 miles)	III+(IV)	150.00	low	9/5 21:00

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:	1700
USGS Station:	03404000
HUC:	05130101
Latitude:	36.7439
Longitude:	-84.1583
Class:	4

World Whitewater: A Global Guide for River Runners
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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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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