Waites Run

We ran 2.5 miles today, at a level of 200 cfs (4.65). That seems to be a pretty ideal level for non-experts, as it is neither pushy nor bony (although Jim Long wishes there had been more water). There was some wood in the creek, but no river-wide strainers. This section is class III, with an 80 ft/mile average gradient. We put in where a small tributary joins, in a pool at the base of a 4-foot, 2-step ledge, and took out at the public park (about a mile above US55) where there was easier access than further down. It was an enjoyable trip, at a time when most nearby rivers were too high (the Lost was 6 feet). We didn't put in higher up because from the road we could see quite a number of strainers there.
I have measured the gradient from the topo map (Wardensville). Starting at Pond Run, the gradient for the first four miles is 150, 130 (with lots of braiding), 120, and 100 ft/mile. The next 2.5 miles, which we ran, average 80 ft/mile, and the final mile down to US55 is 45 ft/mile. From there it is just a quarter mile to the Cacapon, but there is no take out for a long way.
The gauge is about midway down the creek. The posted minimum of 80 cfs is way too low for most of the run. At 200 cfs, we were fine on the lower part, but the upper part looked bony, especially where it braided. On the other hand, the posted maximum of 1500 cfs is dangerously high, given the risk of strainers. I would recommend ranges of about 250-600 cfs for the upper half of the creek, and 120-400 cfs for the lower half.

I seem to remember that the storm that brought this up to a good level also brought the James River up to something like 90,000 cfs (est) a day or two later, so it needs a really heavy rain, e.g. hurricane.

I paddled this after Hurricane Jeanne in 2004. On the first day, the level was @4.75 (est.), which was probably good. I swam under a log behind a blind turn--the water was crazy-fast and narrow (@10 feet). The next day, I finished the trip at 4.25, an abusive minimum. There were 8 log portages. Below the public park is a short section that would be very enjoyable for a Class 2 paddler, bypassing the log jams. The upper section is a scream, but needs some chainsawing. Putting in near the bridge gauge (lower bridge) might make a nice-but-short Class 3-4 run with only one or two log portages.