City: Radford, VA
County: Montgomery County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 37.08863358, -80.57880771
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on New River
20 runs (15 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
I-II
Put-in at this location
04. Claytor Dam to above McCoy Falls
26.0 mi
I-II(III)
Downstream from here (10.9 mi to put-in)
05. McCoy Falls to Eggleston
3.5 mi
I-II
Downstream from here (13.8 mi to put-in)
06. Eggleston to Ripplemead
8.4 mi
4 ft/mi
I-II
Downstream from here (17.7 mi to put-in)
07. Ripplemead to Pearisburg
8.4 mi
8 ft/mi
I-II+(III)
Downstream from here (21.3 mi to put-in)
08. Pearisburg,VA to Glen Lyn, VA
9.6 mi
I-III
Downstream from here (27.3 mi to put-in)
09. Glen Lyn, VA to Bull Falls Camping Area, WV
21.0 mi
5 ft/mi
I-III(IV)
Downstream from here (44.0 mi to put-in)
10. Bluestone Dam to Sandstone
11.0 mi
10 ft/mi
II
Upstream from here (14.5 mi from take-out)
03.1 Barren Springs to Allisonia
5.4 mi
II
Upstream from here (19.5 mi from take-out)
03.0 Foster Falls to Barren Springs
6.4 mi
I-II
Upstream from here (24.1 mi from take-out)
02.3 Austinville to Foster Falls
4.5 mi
II-III
Upstream from here (23.5 mi from take-out)
02.4 Foster Falls
0.6 mi
I-II
Upstream from here (28.5 mi from take-out)
02.2 Ivanhoe to Austinville
4.7 mi
II-III
Upstream from here (31.5 mi from take-out)
02.1 Byllesby Dam to Ivanhoe
4.2 mi
I-III
Upstream from here (32.9 mi from take-out)
02.0 Fries Dam to Byllesby Dam
7.2 mi
11 ft/mi
I-II(III)
Upstream from here (38.2 mi from take-out)
01. Stuart Dam (Route 58) to Fries (Route 94)
43.9 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
I-III
52 mi away
11. Sandstone to McCreery
15.0 mi
9 ft/mi
II-III
63 mi away
12. McCreery to Thurmond
13.0 mi
8 ft/mi
I-III
69 mi away
13. Thurmond to Cunard
7.2 mi
III-IV
70 mi away
14. Cunard to Fayette Station
6.9 mi
20 ft/mi
III-IV
81 mi away
15. New River Dries: Hawks Nest Dam to Gauley Bridge
6.0 mi
18 ft/mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Claytor Dam provides access to the New River, a major waterway flowing through southwestern Virginia near Radford. The New River is a large stream order 8 river with substantial flow averaging over 12,400 cubic feet per second, making it suitable for various watercraft. The dam creates a pool that moderates water conditions in this section, though paddlers should be aware that the New River has an average gradient of 7 feet per mile and can experience significant current downstream of the dam.
This access point at Claytor Dam serves boaters, kayakers, and canoeists interested in exploring this scenic section of the New River. The river's large drainage area of over 8,000 square miles and consistent water volume make it a reliable destination for water recreation. Paddlers should note the river's substantial velocity of over 5 feet per second and plan accordingly for their skill level and watercraft choice.
The New River's total length of nearly 260 miles and significant elevation drop provide diverse paddling opportunities throughout the watershed. Those using this Radford-area access should be prepared for the characteristics of a major river system and check current water conditions before launching.
This access point at Claytor Dam serves boaters, kayakers, and canoeists interested in exploring this scenic section of the New River. The river's large drainage area of over 8,000 square miles and consistent water volume make it a reliable destination for water recreation. Paddlers should note the river's substantial velocity of over 5 feet per second and plan accordingly for their skill level and watercraft choice.
The New River's total length of nearly 260 miles and significant elevation drop provide diverse paddling opportunities throughout the watershed. Those using this Radford-area access should be prepared for the characteristics of a major river system and check current water conditions before launching.