Take Out

This take-out site on Cove Creek in Scott County, Virginia provides access to a substantial whitewater stream system. Cove Creek is a large river-class stream (Stream Order 6) with significant elevation change, dropping 3,122 feet over its 41-mile length. The average gradient of 76.1 feet per mile indicates this is a moderately steep, fast-flowing stream suitable for whitewater activities. With an average flow of 17.75 cubic feet per second and velocity of 1.58 feet per second, paddlers should expect consistent current and moving water conditions. This take-out point is located in the upper portion of the watershed, approximately 159 miles upstream from the river mouth, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced paddlers comfortable with continuous current and whitewater conditions.

The site provides a critical exit point for boaters completing runs on Cove Creek's whitewater sections. Paddlers should be prepared for fast-moving water, uneven terrain typical of mountainous headwater streams, and the physical demands of navigating a Stream Order 6 waterway with significant gradient. The relatively modest average flow suggests that water levels can be variable, and paddlers should check conditions before launching. This is a serious paddling destination best suited for experienced whitewater kayakers and canoeists rather than casual recreationalists.