Data Disclaimer: Water level data is provided by USGS and NOAA for informational purposes only. Verify conditions on-site before any water activities. Learn more
Access Site WV

Clendinin

Elk River

Source: west_virginia_department_of_natural_resources Updated 1 year ago

City: Clendenin, WV
County: Kanawha County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 38.48987386, -81.33151561
Air Temp: --
Location
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on Elk River
3 runs
There are no whitewater runs within 50 miles of this access site.
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
Difficulty Classes
I Easy II Novice III Intermediate IV Advanced V Expert/Extreme VI Unrunnable
Whitewater data from American Whitewater
About This Access Site
The Clendenin access point is a newly improved public boat ramp located at Virginia Avenue in Clendenin, Kanawha County, offering convenient access to the lower Elk River. This modern facility includes a paved ramp, parking area, and lighting for dawn and dusk launches. The access is situated at the northernmost end of town, making it an excellent takeout point for paddlers floating downstream from Queen Shoals or an ideal starting point for downstream trips.

The Elk River at this location is a large, powerful waterway with an average flow of approximately 2,758 cubic feet per second and an average current velocity of 4.17 feet per second. With a 12-foot-per-mile average gradient, the river here moves steadily but is generally manageable for intermediate paddlers and motorboats. The ramp was completed as part of the WVDNR's comprehensive improvement project that established six new public access points on the lower Elk River, enhancing recreational opportunities for kayakers, canoeists, and boaters throughout the region.