City: Covington, VA
County: Botetourt County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 37.58909441, -79.72783984
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
I-II
James - 1. Eagle Rock (Route 43) to Springwood (Route 630)
4 ft/mi
Current Conditions
--
• 500.00-25000.00 cfs
James River at Buchanan, VA
Whitewater Runs on James River
12 runs (10 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
This location is on this run
1. Eagle Rock (Route 43) to Springwood (Route 630)
17.0 mi
4 ft/mi
I
This location is on this run
1.2. Springwood to Buchanan
4.8 mi
I-II
Downstream from here (5.3 mi to put-in)
1.4. Buchanan to Arcadia
6.2 mi
7 ft/mi
I(II)
Downstream from here (6.7 mi to put-in)
1.6. Arcadia to Alpine
4.8 mi
I-II
Downstream from here (9.0 mi to put-in)
1.8. Alpine to Glasgow
10.0 mi
II+(III)
Downstream from here (19.7 mi to put-in)
2. Glasgow to Snowdon
4.8 mi
11 ft/mi
I-II
Downstream from here (23.1 mi to put-in)
3. Snowdon (Route 501/130) to Six Mile
30.2 mi
I
Upstream from here (7.1 mi from take-out)
03. Gala to Eagle Rock
3.9 mi
I-II
Upstream from here (9.2 mi from take-out)
02. Glen Wilton to Gala
7.3 mi
I-II
Upstream from here (12.7 mi from take-out)
01. Iron Gate to Glen Wilton
4.1 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Horseshoe Bend provides access to the James River in Covington, Virginia, a major river system that flows through the piedmont region. The James River at this location is a large, established waterway (Stream Order 7) with an average flow of 668 cubic feet per second and a moderate gradient of approximately 1 foot per mile. The water moves at an average velocity of 2.41 feet per second, indicating a steady current typical of this section of the river.
Paddlers and boaters using this access should be prepared for moving water conditions rather than slack water. The James River in this region drains over 10,000 square miles and has substantial flow, making it suitable for various watercraft including kayaks, canoes, and motorboats. The river's elevation at this point is approximately 349.60 meters, placing it in the upper-middle portions of the river's course before its eventual descent to the Chesapeake Bay estuary.
Boaters should understand that conditions can vary significantly with recent rainfall and seasonal snowmelt upstream. The moderate gradient and consistent current make this a practical access point for those seeking to navigate or fish the James River, though water levels and flow rates should be monitored before trips.
Paddlers and boaters using this access should be prepared for moving water conditions rather than slack water. The James River in this region drains over 10,000 square miles and has substantial flow, making it suitable for various watercraft including kayaks, canoes, and motorboats. The river's elevation at this point is approximately 349.60 meters, placing it in the upper-middle portions of the river's course before its eventual descent to the Chesapeake Bay estuary.
Boaters should understand that conditions can vary significantly with recent rainfall and seasonal snowmelt upstream. The moderate gradient and consistent current make this a practical access point for those seeking to navigate or fish the James River, though water levels and flow rates should be monitored before trips.