Big Beaver Creek - Craigsville to Gauley River


Big Beaver Creek, West Virginia, US

 Disclaimer

Craigsville to Gauley River

Usual Difficulty IV-V+ (for normal flows)
Length 4.5 Miles
Avg. Gradient 75 fpm

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
GAULEY RIVER NEAR CRAIGSVILLE, WV
usgs-03189100 12.90 - 13.90 ft IV-V+ 23h24m 12.84 ft (too low)


River Description

This is a very small streambed with many hydraulics. One and possibly two portages.

Putin: Bridge on CR-5 west of Craigsville

Takeout: Confluence with the Gauley. Take CR-5 west from Craigsville and look for a 4wd dirt road on the left. It's about 1/2-3/4 mile down to the river. I wouldn't drive my 4wd truck down there.


StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2004-08-04 22:51:59

icon of message No photos found.


Gauge Information

Gauge Description:

The Craigsville gauge can be used as a guideline, especially in the spring before the trees get their leaves.

The best indicator is if the water is washing over the flat rocks at the putin.

The Craigsville gauge conversion table for feet-to-cfs is approximately:
11 feet = 440 cfs
12 feet = 1460 cfs
13 feet = 3000 cfs
14 feet = 5500 cfs
15 feet = 8500 cfs

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
GAULEY RIVER NEAR CRAIGSVILLE, WV
usgs-03189100 12.90 - 13.90 ft IV-V+ 23h24m 12.84 ft (too low)

RangeWater LevelDifficultyComment
12.90 -13.90 ft barely runnable-high runnable IV-V+

Report - Reports of Big Beaver Creek Craigsville to Gauley River 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

No Reports Filed

WXPort

News





User Comments

Users can submit comments.
February 27 2008 (3711 days ago)
x (1)
this creek is ok. Lots of flatwater, both on the creek and alot more on the Gauley. The drops are
BIG in the middle section. Several BAD seives in between the first hard one(ten footer) and the
falls(sliding drop). SCOUT THIS WHOLE SECTION! its not an easy scout, but you need to know where
the sieves are. SET SAFETY ON THE RIGHT! enjoy the long paddle out, not far after this. mostly
class III to IV, BUT the hard section is good class V creeking. Brandon Reynolds !
June 4 2006 (4344 days ago)
Robert FarmerDetails
When I ran it a few years ago (2002), there was no wood, but this probably changes every so often.
The "mandatory piton" drop is not really a mandatory piton, although it's tight. However, beware of
the falls immediately downstream---quite exciting when you're not expecting it! Scout left. This is
an excellent, great run, with enough water and no logs. At the time, I ran every drop, with no
undue stress, other than the surprise falls. When driving the shuttle from the put-in, turn left at
the first intersection. The next left occurs where the road turns @130 degrees to the right; it
looks kind of like the driveway of the house on the left. The road was great (perfect--I'd drive my
Mercedes down there) when I was there. This leads to a popular fishing spot (well-below the
confluence) on the Gauley. When I put on, the water was @ 6 inches below the top of the big rock
upstream of the put-in bridge. This was probably too low for most people, but it did work. Use your
own judgment.
June 9 2003 (5435 days ago)
Charles and Nancy BrabecDetails
According to a friend there is a lot of wood in the creek. His group took off because of it.

Rapid Descriptions

icon of message No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run.

Do more than just check gauges; join over 5,000 AW members today.

Join_or_Renew_Logo-200px

Join or Renew

Or, consider donating

Donate_Logo-200px

Donate


General Nonmember Message


 reach  
 state  
 reachlink  
 Craigsville to Gauley River, Big Beaver Creek West Virginia, US (mobile)