Kanawha River
Kanawha Falls near Gauley Bridge
| Difficulty | IV-V+ |
| Length | 0.2 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls, Wv |
| Flow Rate as of 27 minutes | 2980 cfsmedium runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 17, 2021 |
River Description
From A Wet State, ' First thing first, it is pronounced Ka-nah. It is derived from the Iroquoian dialect and means 'water-way' or 'canoe-way.' '
Be sure to park below the falls at the public fishing access. Coming in at the falls from the top is illegal. Just paddle up to the islands, climb up, and huck. There's multiple different drops you can run here at different flows.
River Features
Powerhouse
Powerhouse is the drop right next to the building. If you're looking at the ledge from the parking area, it's the far left drop. Run this one far right, but avoid the extreme right crease. This is basically a slide and will auto-boof if you hit it right. Hole at the bottom can be a little munchy at higher flows.
Rapid in the Crease...
Not sure the actual name of this rapid. Not visible from the parking area, and is all the way to the east at the back. As you approach, get out on the island to the right to scout.
This beta is specifically for flows around 2,200 cfs, which is what it was when I ran it last. Line might change at higher water. Start at the eddy at the top, don't underestimate the little curler right at the beginning of the flow. Give it some speed to get past that. Then aim for the right side of the big boof. After the boof, aim left to follow the flow, and come down the green tongue with right boat angle. The right boat angle will get you through the wave at the bottom and will turn your boat back left toward the final boof over the hole. (If you give it too much speed and right angle you could get shoved into the boily eddy on river right.) Avoid right side of the final boof due to shallow rocks and general munchiness. At high flows the hole at the bottom becomes a monster, proceed with caution.
High Falls
The main drop isn't visible from the parking area, but is directly across from the island where a lot of rec boaters and fishermen like to hang out. Read incident report on this page ('Midnight Miracle') and be aware of hazards with this drop. Multiple spots to huck depending on flow, but go with someone who knows.
Depth Perception
You can't see this from the parking lot, but is to the right of High Falls, around the corner to the east. Climbing up to this one is a bit of a pain, there's a crease to the right of the falls you can get out and climb up, then jump over a crack between the boulders to get to the put in. Super clean falls with flat water lead-in. You'll see the tallest point sticking out the furthest over the water on the river left side. Come off just barely to the left of the furthest point with a right stroke to keep you pointing straight. This drop dries out at lower flows.
Put-In & Take-Out
The put-in is 'Kanawha Falls Public Fishing Area', a parking lot below the falls. Be sure not to park in the section that is for boat trailers only.
There's no bathroom here so be aware of that.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportFalls are LEGAL again! Perfect low water park n huck - class 3-4 from 4-6000 but more lines open up and some of the main ones get rowdy at higher flows. Thee is a rapid river left with a boof / hole at the bottom. The main falls lines are river right, you can see these from the parking lot, but there are several in the middle as well. Nothing over 18' but 5 different 15'ers to run with hike up in between. There's even a great squirt seam below the rapid from 4000 to 6000! Cool spot - just be respectful of the fisherman.
Many folks running this again. Nobody getting arrested.
Low water on river left.
It is too bad there is no access allowed anymore.
When I lived in the area we would run different sections of the falls. It was great for many times when nothing else in the area is running.
Google Earth 'Glen Ferris, WV'.
Panoramia has some great pictures of the falls. They're awesome.