Hazard Warning: Hazard information may be user-submitted and unverified. Conditions change frequently. Always scout rapids and obstacles yourself.
Hazard WV Class IV

Initiation

Gauley - 7 Summersville Dam to Woods Ferry (WV)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
Gauley River below Summersville DAM, WV Upstream Primary
Runnable: ? – ? CFS

Approximate - nearest available gauge. Use as general reference only.

Data from American Whitewater & USGS
Photo
Initiation
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

As long as you run the recommended line, this rapid isn't as difficult as the IV rating suggests; however, the hazard involved is one of the most dangerous on the river. The proper way to run this drop is down the left side of the long, wide, steep tongue on river left. There is a deadly sieve on the right side of the drop.

 

Despite the notoriety of this rapid, several people have found their way into the sieve (photos), and two have drowned in it. What makes this rapid even more sinister is the inviting surf wave at the top. The wave has a slight right diagonal that would appear to send a surfer into a large and deceptive eddy. What is not obvious are the hidden black rocks on the right end of the wave. These will sometimes catch the surfer and pivot the boat directly into the sieve. Don't even think about surfing this top wave; avoid this hazard by taking the safe route down river left. There are numerous excellent play spots as you continue downstream.

 

After initiation is Funnel, an easy drop with a rather large hidden hole about a hundred feet down the outflow. The hole is hidden by a pillow that looks like a wave. You don't want to begin your bad day here. Insignificant is at the other end of this long pool.

Location
Type
Hazard
Difficulty
Class IV
Mile Marker
0.8 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
7 Summersville Dam to Woods Ferry
Gauley
IV-V 12.0 mi
Hazard — Exercise extreme caution in this area.
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater