Elk River
4. Webster Springs to CR7 bridge and gauging station(Down Elk)
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 17.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 25 fpm |
| Gauge | Elk River Below Webster Springs, Wv |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 4.36 ftbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 26, 2009 |
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.
River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportjust a small detail, but it is an 11.1 mile run from bakers island to the sandy beach (not 9 as previously stated). Sewer plant rapid appears when you start to see a sewer pipe. It involves starting center or right (depending on the flow) and cutting hard right to miss a ledge hole/pour over above the end of the rapid where the river cuts right. Another notable rapid appears almost at the end. Look for the old ford and then a swinging bridge that is hanging in the water. This rapid (just above the takeout) can have sizeable holes. If you want to avoid punching the main hole then a ferry can be made to river left part way through the run, otherwise punch away.
This is a typical rapid a couple of miles below Webster Springs.
Who's canoe is that upside down pinned on a rock??
Jay runs through a nice little hole about 7 miles below Webster Springs
We love paddling this one when the flow is around five or six thousand CFS. There are just 16 miles of terrific big 6 foot and relatively consequence free surfing waves. Beautiful valley. Surf, Surf, Surf!
We love paddling this one when the flow is around five or six thousand CFS. There are just 16 miles of terrific big 6 foot and relatively consequence free surfing waves. Beautiful valley. Surf, Surf, Surf!