Big Coal River, Marsh Fork
3: Dry Creek to Sundial (Pettry Bottom)
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 4.2 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 65 fpm |
| Gauge | Big Coal River at Ashford, Wv |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 562 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 5, 2024 |
River Description
Marsh Fork is considered the Mainstem of the Coal River. Very scenic section, class 2-3+ when low, more class 3-4 at higher water.
River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportPaul Lange
May 30, 2017
We paddled this section Friday May 26, 2017 at 6.99 on the Ashford gauge (2990cfs). It was beefy, big waves, big holes, fairly continuous. The water was into the river banks, most rocks covered. Most all read and run. We did scout three or four spots. I would call this closer to Cl IV/very solid Class III skills needed at this level. A swim would have been long. Not for someone with poor water reading skills, more for the expert kayaker. I would recommend scouting the ' Big Drop'(the 'waterfall'). We walked it. It had multiple chewy looking holes in the approach and a huge horseshoe hole below. There may have been a line down the left but we scouted right. No pool below the drop at this level. The river was definately a fun time. I would advise small groups, however, as eddies were not plentiful but seemed to be all in the ' crucial' spots. I would think this level would be blast in a raft due to all the big long wave trains. This was the first time we have run this section. Plenty of big surf waves as well. Worth a look if wanting something different or shorter. Enjoy but keep an eye out for strainers. All seemed easily avoidable. Paul
Paul Lange
May 26, 2017
This is a view from the right bank of the 'Big Drop' at 2990cfs, 6.99 @ Ashford
Paul Lange
May 26, 2017
Karen is running a rapid that was typical at this level of 6.99 @ Ashford. The wave trains were big and long. Keep an eye out for holes!
Paul Lange
May 26, 2017
Karen is avoiding a rather sizable hole somewhere in the last 1/2 of the run. There were several visible houses on right shore. This was a fun drop. The Big Coal @ Ashford was 6.99.
Paul Lange
May 26, 2017
The 'Big Drop' from further out, view from river right. The holes in the approach and after the drop looked a bit 'mean' at this level. The gauge was 6.99 @ Ashford.
Mike Beswick
Jul 12, 2015
The total drop if run on the right edge of the exposed rock is maybe 7 feet. You can also run it as a slide by staying to the right
Mike Beswick
Jul 12, 2015
Small ledge/slide, typical of many rapids on this stretch, read and run for the most part. Carson Wright is styling this drop
