There is a large concrete culvert bridge shortly below the confluence of Lilly Fork and about one mile from the confluence of the Elk River. The river-left vehicle approach to this bridge has been washed out and there is a twisty 4-5 foot drop among the boulders with no danger of rebar. This is also a suitable take-out since the scenery and gradient downstream to Clay is minimal.
this stream was hit hard by the 2016 flood. The river bed is somewhat "scoured". Trees were bent over and snapped along both shores for most of the eight miles. A better gauge to use is the USGS Herold gauge located on the BirchRriver (but not currently linked to AW) . Buffalo creek typically runs if the Birch River is at least 5 feet at Herold. the culvert dam has gotten easier and more open since the flood, stay left of center and you'll see multiple lines to run
The gauge is located upstream of the Sutton Dam on the main-stem of the Elk River thus can only be used as an indicator. <br />
Permits are not required for this reach.
38.4612007141113,-81.0721969604492
38.4716987609863,-81.0721969604492
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Get your groove on baby! This year Gauley Fest is a 60’s themed event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. To memorialize that historic event we are flashing back to another era for a 60’s throwdown. Started in 1983 to celebrate the derailment of a hydro-electric project that would have disrupted the flows on the Gauley River, Gauley Fest has grown to become the largest paddling festival in the world.
American Whitewater received the following open letter to boaters from the rangers and staff of the Gauley River National Recreation Area. This letter will keep you up to date on important management actions of the National Park Service on the Gauley River. Enjoy your paddling season on this classic whitewater river. As in past years, American Whitewater has leased the field above Masons Branch, also known as the Legg field, for overflow parking.
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