The Blue Ridge Voyageurs

River Levels Guide

Also see Alf Cooley's Stream Finder pages - tables and links to help target nearby creeks quickly & determine whether they are likely to be boatable.

This guide is intended to be as accurate as possible, however it cannot be viewed as infallible. There are many variables affecting river levels which cannot be incorporated into this condensed guide. Each boater must understand that whitewater paddling is a risky sport and each individual is responsible for their decision to run a particular river or rapid. This guide does not assure any individual's safety on any river. Anyone using this guide does so with the understanding that this guide and any person associated with it cannot be held liable for any damage, personal injury, or death suffered in connection with any river running activity.

Most of the information contained in this guide was compiled over 10 years ago, well before the Internet age, back when the only source of river level information was the National Weather Service's river level phone recordings. (That explains the structure of this document: It is laid out in the same order as the gauges are provided on the NWS DC phone recording.) Rivers constantly change affecting the accuracy of the information in this guide. If you notice something that must be updated in this guide, please e-mail the BRV Webmaster with that information.

Another excellent online tool for finding river information is American Whitewater's "River Search" feature.

Best printed in Landscape.

GAUGE:    Belington   | Buena Vista |   Cartersville | Confluence | Cootes Store | Culpeper |   Dawsonville | Fairview | Franklin   | Frederick |   Fredericksburg   | Friendsville | Front Royal | Kitzmiller   | Leesburg |   Little Falls | Luke | Martinsburg   | Millville |   Moorefileld | Parsons | Paw Paw   | Petersburg   |   Pinto | Remington   | Richmond |   Rockville | Savage River | Sharpsburg   | Shepardstown |   Springfield | Strausburg | Wayneboro   | Wills Creek

Online Gauges:     AW River Gauges
National Weather Service River Gauges: DC Area [703]-260-0107      Pittsburg: [412]-262-5290

TABLE LEGEND:
MI = River length in miles,
Size = Relative size of river - VVS = extremely small river, VS = very small, S = small, M = medium sized, and L = large,
Dif = River difficulty - B = beginner (flat - class 1?), N = novice (class 1-2), I = intermediate (class 2-3), A = Advanced (class 3-4), and E = expert (class 4-5),
Min = minimum reading at that gauge needed to boat this stretch of river,
Med = gauge reading considered to provide a moderate level of water for this run,
High = gauge reading considered to be the (sane) upper end of the boatable range although higher levels may have been run.

KITZMILLER     Size of N Branch at gauge = 450 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Abram Creek Rt. 50 bridge Kitzmiller 8.5 VS A - 5.6 - -

N Branch Potomac Henry Gormania 8 VS I 5.0 - 6.0 -

N Branch Potomac
(Kitzmiller section) Steyer (near Gormania) Kitzmiller 13 S A 4.0 4.5 5.5 Expert @ 6.0+

Stoney R, Upper VEPCO dam Rt50 8 VS A/E 7.5 - - -

Stoney R, Lower Rt50 near conflu. with Potomac 6 VS A/E 6.5 - - -

Top Yough Swallow Falls Rd Sang Run 6 VS E 4.5 - - -

SAVAGE RIVER     Size of Savage R at gauge = 150 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Savage R Savage R Dam N Branch Potomac 5 VS A 2.2 3.1 3.8 Savage Dam: (301) 359-0361; USACE/Balt: (410) 962-7687

LUKE

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

N Branch Potomac
(Bloomington section) Below dam (Barnum) Bloomington 6 M I 2.6 4.0 - dam controlled: USACE/Balt: (410) 962-7687

400? 900 - CFS/difficulty correlation

N Branch Potomac Bloomington Keyser 8 M N - - - Pinto min = 3.0

PINTO

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

N Branch Potomac Bloomington Keyser 8 M N 3.0 - 5.0 -

WILLS CREEK

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Wills Cr Glencoe Fairhope RC 5 VS A 3.5 4.0 - Kitzmiller min = 5.0

Sidling Hill Cr Rt40 RC (?) Potomac R 12 VS N 3.8 - - Fairview min = 2.8

Fifteen Mile Cr Rt40 Potomac R 9.5 VVS N/I 4.6 - - Fairview min = 3.6, RC@I68

Casselman (PA) Garrett Fort Hill 20 S N/I - - - Markleton min = 2.4 - (412) 644-2890

Georges Cr Rear of school so. of Midland Westernport 10 S A 4.5? - - Kitzmiller min = 6.0?

FRANKLIN

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

S.Fork, S.Branch Potomac
(Moorefield Canyon) Fort Seybert Milan bridge 10 S I 2.7? - - Cootes Store min = 3.0

S. Branch Potomac
(Smokehole Canyon) Rt220 Big Bend 9 S I 2.5 - 4.5? other accesses possible

S. Branch Potomac Big Bend Petersburg 16 M N/I 1.8? - - -

PETERSBURG     Size of South Branch at gauge = 700 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Seneca Cr Forest Serv. campground Rt28 6 VVS A 5.5 - 8.5 poor correlation

N.Fork, S.Branch Potomac Circleville Mouth of Seneca 16 S N/I 4.2 - - -

N.Fork, S.Branch Potomac

(Hopeville Canyon) Seneca Rocks Smoke Hole Caverns 15 S I 4.6 5.0 7.0 other accesses possible, WARNING:A Mr. Dolly lives across from and owns the Canyon put-in. Ask permission first.

S.Fork, S.Branch Potomac
(Moorefield Canyon) Fort Seybert Milan bridge 10 S I 4.5 6.0 7.0 Cootes Store min = 3.0

S. Branch Potomac
(Smokehole Canyon) Rt220 Big Bend 9 S I 4.2 5.5 6.5 other accesses possible

S. Branch Potomac
(Lower Smokehole) Big Bend Petersburg 16 M N/I 3.9 6.0 7.0 -

MOOREFIELD

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Lost R Rock quarry Rt55 RC 6 S N - - - Cootes Store min = 3.2

Lost R (dry gorge) Rt55 RC Wardensville 6 S I/A 2.5 - 5.3 Cootes Store min = 3.4

Cacapon R Rt50 Rt127 RC 12 S N 1.5 2.5 4.3 Springfield min = 3.1; Cootes Store min = 2.9

Cacapon R Rt127 RC Great Cacapon 39 S-M N 1.3 2.5 4.3 Springfield min = 2.9; RC @ Rt127 = Moorefield - 1.3

North R (upper ) Grassy Lick Rio 3 VVS I - - - -

North R Rt50 Rt127 21 VS N - - - Springfield min = 3.3

Tearcoat Cr Rt50 North R 4 VVS N/I 4.3 - - -

Sleepy Cr Smith Cross Rds Potomac R 19 S B/N 1.4 - - -

Meadow Br - - - E - - - -

Seneca Cr Forest Serv. campground Rt28 6 VVS A 2.5 - - poor correlation

N.Fork, S.Branch Potomac

(Hopeville Canyon) Seneca Rocks Smoke Hole Caverns 15 S I 1.5 - - other accesses possible. WARNING:A Mr. Dolly lives across from and owns the Canyon put-in. Ask permission first.

S.Fork, S.Branch Potomac
(Moorefield Canyon) Fort Seybert Milan bridge 10 S I 2.0 - - Cootes Store min = 3.0

S. Branch Potomac
(Smokehole Canyon) Rt220 Big Bend 9 S I 1.4 - - other accesses possible

S. Branch Potomac
(Lower Smokehole) Big Bend Petersburg 16 M N/I 1.2 - - -

SPRINGFIELD     Size of South Branch at gauge = 1300 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

S. Branch Potomac/Trough Rt220/Old Fields Harmison's Landing 11 M B 1.7 3.6 5.5 Petersburg min = 1.5

PAW PAW

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Potomac/Paw Paw Bends Paw Paw, WV Little Orleans 22 L B 3.6 - 7.0 Hancock min = 2.6

FAIRVIEW    Size of Conococheague Cr at gauge = 600 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Conococheague Cr West Branch Williamsport 27 S-M B 1.9 - - ok for novices at 9' - ???????

MARTINSBURG      Size of Opequon Cr at gauge = 250 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Opequon Cr Rt50 Middleway, WVa 25 VS B 3.1 - - Remington min = 4.5

Opequon Cr Middleway, WVa Potomac R 23 S B 2.1 - -

SHEPARDSTOWN

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Potomac/Needles Shinham ramp (MD side) Knoxville 7 L N/I 1.5 - 5.0 Hancock min = 3.0; other take-outs possible

SHARPSBURG      Size of Antietam Cr at gauge = 300 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Antietam Cr Funkstown Rt68 10 S N 2.5 3.3 - -

Antietam Cr Rt68 C&O Canal 13 S N - - - Frederick min = 2.8

Catoctin Cr (MD) Rt153/17 NW of Ellerton Rt40 5 VVS N 4.0? - - Frederick min = 4.5

Catoctin Cr (MD) Rt40 Rt17 9.5 VS N 3.6? - - Frederick min = 3.5

Catoctin Cr (MD) Rt17 Potomac R 15 S N 3.3 - - Frederick min/hi = 3.0/7.0

WAYNESBORO

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Back Cr/Waynesboro Rt664 South R 9 VS I 4.0 - - -

South R Harriston (Rt778) Port Republic 8 S N/I 2.7 - - Lynwood min = 3.8

COOTES STORE      Size of N Fork of the Shenandoah at gauge = 200 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

NF Shen./Brocks Gap Riverside Church RC Cootes Store 10 S N/I 3.3 - 6.0 -

Passage Cr (Upper) St. Davids/Rt775 RC Elizabeth Furnace 16 VS N 3.1 4.9 - Remington min = 4.2

Passage Cr Elizabeth Furnace NF Shenandoah 7 VS I 3.3 - 5.0 RC at Rt55; Remington min =5.0; Strasburg min = 4.0

Stoney Cr Liberty Furnace NF Shenandoah 15 VS I 3.3 4.0 5.0 -

Cedar Cr ? Stephens Fort RC ? Rt11 RC 11 S N 3.1 4.0 6.0 Strasburg min = 3.2; Alt. put-in 2.5 mi. upstream at Rt623

Lost R Rock quarry Rt55 RC 6 S N 3.2 - 5.5 -

Trout Run Half Moon Trail Xing Wardensville 7.5 VVS I/A 5.0 7.0 - 3' at Lost R put-in = "0" on Trout Run

North R Gorge Staunton Dam RC Stokesville 7 VVS I/A 3.8 - 5.8 Lynwood min = 5.0

North R Stokesville Spring Cr 19 VS I 3.4 - - -

Dry R Rt33 Rt 613 10 VVS I/A 4.0 - 6.0 RC at Rt613

Dry R Rt 613 North R 6 VVS I/A 4.0 - 6.0 RC at Rt613

Gooney Run Browntown-Rt 622/649 Karo Landing
(Rt 340) 4.1 VVS A 7.0 - - See Steve Marchi's Gooney site also for levels & photos

STRASBURG

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

NF Shenandoah Edinburg Riverton/confluence 58 M B 2.3 4.0 6.0 Cootes Store min = 2.6

FRONT ROYAL     Size of S Fork of the Shenandoah at gauge = 1600 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

S Fork Shenandoah Newport Luray RC 9 S N 1.2 - 4.0 Lynwood min = 2.0

S Fork Shen./Comptons Good's Mill Bentonville 16 M N 1.1 - 4.0 Lynwood min = 2.0

MILLVILLE      Size of the Shanandoah at gauge = 2700 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Shenandoah/Staircase Millville Sandy Hook(Potomac R) 5 M I 1.8 3.2 5? Masochist's min = 1.3

FREDERICK           Size of Monocacy R at gauge = 950 cfs      (NOTE: This gauge is NOT a highly reliable predictor for small streams.)

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Gunpowder Falls (upper) Masemore Rd Glenco Rd 12 VS N/I - - - Dam controlled: min > 1.0 at put-in

Gunpowder Falls Cromwell Bridge Rd Rt40 11 S I - - - Alt. put-in: Rt1; RC at Rt1; No Parking @ Rt40 take-out; Damcontrolled, Park - (301) 795-6150. Check RC gauge!

Little Falls Cr Parkton Bluemont Rd 5 VVS I 4.5 - - -

Muddy Cr, Upper Muddy Cr Forks RC Castle Fin - Rt74 13 VS N 4.0 - 6.0 Chads Ford min = 2.5 - (717) 234-6812

Muddy Cr, Lower Castle Fin - Rt74 RC Susquehanna R 5 VS I 2.4 - - Chads Ford min = 1.8 - (717) 234-6812

Codorus Cr Rt24 Codorus Furnace Rd 4 VS I 3.8 - - -

Toms Cr Carroll Valley/Rt16 Sixes Bridge Rd 11 VS N 5.0? - 6.0 -

Middle Cr Township Rd/T318 Toms Cr 8 VVS I 5.0 - 7.0 Sharpsburg min = 3.0

Marsh Cr Business Rt15 Harney Rd 6 S I 4.0 - 7.0 -

Monocacy R Buckeystown Potomac R 9 M B 2.0 3.0 7.0 -

Owens Cr Lantz Rt15 4 VVS I/A 9.0 - - -

Deer Cr - - - N/I 4.0 - 6.0 -

LEESBURG     Size of Goose Cr at gauge = 300 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Goose Cr Rt50 Rt15 17 VS B/N 2.0 - 6.0 -

Goose Cr/below dam Fairfax dam Rt7 3.5 S N 2.1 - 4.0 -

Little R/Goose Cr Aldie Rt621 7 VVS N 3.2 - - -

Catoctin Cr (VA) Rt673 Potomac R 7 VVS N 2.4 - 4.0 Remington min = 4.3; Frederick min =3.2

Cub Run Rt29 Compton Rd 1.5 VVS I 4.8? - - Remington min = 5.0

DAWSONVILLE

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Seneca Cr Rt118 Rt112 13 VS N 2.2 - 4.8 Frederick min = 2.4

Little Seneca Cr Clopper Rd (Rt117) Seneca Cr 4? VVS N/I 3.8 - - Frederick min = 4.0

Rock Cr Sherrill Drive Pierce Mill 3 VVS I 2.9 - - Frederick min = 4.0; Staff Gauge at foot bridge min = 8.0

Northwest Branch Rt29 Adelphi Mill 3.5 VVS I 3.5 - - Frederick min = 5.0

Middle Patuxent R Rt108 Savage 11 VVS I 2.6 - - Frederick min = 4.0

Patapsco R Hollofield Ellicott City 5 S I 2.6 - - Frederick at 4.0 & rising

Little Patuxent Columbia Savage 8 VS I - - - -

Little Gunpowder Falls Rt147 Rt40 6 VVS I 3.1 - - -

S Branch Patapsaco Gaither Woodstock 9.5 VS N/I 2.6 - 4.0 -

LITTLE FALLS

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Potomac/Great Falls O-Deck O-Deck 1 L E 2.7 - 3.0 Class 6: Run only with special permission from Nat. Pk. Ser.!

Potomac/Mather Gorge Below Great Falls Carderock 4 L I 2.5 - 4.5 -

Potomac/Below Mather Gorge Carderock Lock 6 4.5 L N 2.5 3.5 6.0 -

Potomac/Little Falls Lock 6 Above Chain Bridge 2 L I/A 2.5 3.0 3.5 Advanced @ 3.1+; VA side always Advanced

Potomac/Potowmack Canal Violettes Lock Violettes Lock (loop) 4 L+S N 2.7 3.2 - Point of Rocks min = 0.5

Potomac (main channel) Violettes Lock Violettes Lock (loop) 4 L N 3.0 - 4.5 -

CULPEPER     Size of Rapidan R at gauge = 550 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Conway Fletcher/Rt667 Rapidan R 8 VVS I/A 3.2 - 5.0 Remington min = 7.0?

Upper Rapidan Shennandoah Nat. Park Wolftown/Rt230 8 VVS I/A 3.2 - 5.0 Remington min = 7.0?

Robinson Syria/Rt643 Rt29 9.5 VS N/I 2.2 - 5.5 Remington min = 5.0

Rose Rt670 Robinson R 4 VVS I/A 3.6 - - -

Rapidan + Rappahannock Ely Ford Motts Run Landing 14 S/M N 1.0 - 3.3 Remington min = 3.3

Moormans Whitehall Rt601 9 VS I 1.8 - 5.0 -

Tye Nash/Rt56 RC Massies Mill 8.5 VVS I/A 3.5 - - Cootes Store min = 4.5; Buena Vista @ 7.5 - good adv. level

Tye Massies Mill Tye R PO/Rt29 RC 14 VS I 3.0 - 5.0 Cootes Store min = 4.0

Lower Tye Tye River PO/Rt29 RC James R 12 S N/I 1.8 3.0 5.0 Cootes Store min = 3.5

Quantico Cr Rt619 Rt1 1.5 VS I 3.5 - - -

Piney Alhambra Woodson, Rt666 4 VS A 3.5? - - -

Piney Woodson, Rt666 Rt151 7 VS I 3.5? - - -

Little R (of N Anna) Rt684 U.S. 1 6 VVS I/A 1.8 - - -

N Anna Butler Bridge U.S. 1 9.5 S I 1.2 - - Much affected by dam

S Anna Casco Mills Ashland/U.S. 1 11 S N 1.2 - - -

Newfound R Rocketts Mills S Anna 5.5 VVS I/A 2.0 - - -

REMINGTON      Size of Rappahannock R at gauge = 700 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Covington Rt622 RC Rock Mills 4.5 VVS I 5.8 7.5 9.0 Culpeper min = 2.6

Rush Old Rt211 RC Rock Mills 6 VVS I 5.5 7.5 9.0 Culpeper min = 2.6; min for gauge at Old Rt211 = 2.0

Thornton Fletcher's Mill RC Rock Mills 7 VS N/I 4.8 - 7.0 Culpeper min = 2.2

Hughes + Hazel chicken farm Boston/Rt522 RC 11 VS N/I 4.6 - 8.0 Culpeper min = 2.0

Upper Rappahannock Orleans/Rt647 Waterloo/Rt211 14 VS N 3.6 5.0 6.0 -

Rappahannock Remington RC Kelly's Ford RC 4.5 S N/I 3.3 - 5.3 -

Aquia Rt610 U.S. 1 10.5 VS N 5.0 - - -

Broad Run Route 628 Beverly Mills (Rt. 55) - 1 I/A - - - -

FREDERICKSBURG      Rappahannock R

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Rappahannock R Fredericksburg (Friends of Rappahannock site) Alt. Rt1 RC 1.5 M N/I 2.4 - 4.0 Remington min/hi = 3.0/5.3

BUENA VISTA     Size of Maury R at gauge = 650 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Maury/Goshen Pass Above Goshen Rockbridge Baths RC 6.5 S A 3.0 4.0 5.5 min for gauge at Rockbridge General Store = 1.5

Bullpasture/Gorge Rt612 Williamsville RC 8.5 VS A 2.9 3.7 6.0 RC at Rt60 on Cowpasture min = 1.5; Petersburg min = 3.0

Calfpasture Rt250 Rt692 10 VS I 4.0 - - -

CARTERSVILLE

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

James/Balcony Falls Rt130, Maury R Snowden 5 M I 1.0 - 3.5 -

RICHMOND     Size of James R at gauge = 7600 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

James/Richmond Bon Air/Rt147 Mayo Island 6.5 L I/A 4.5 5.5 6.5 -

BELINGTON      Size of Tygart R at gauge = 800 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Tygart/Gorge Belington Phillipi 16 M A 3.5 4.0 5.0 expert @ 7+

Tygart/Arden Arden Big Cove Run 5 M A 2.5 3.5 - -

Middle Fork of the Tygart Audra State Park Tygart Junction 6 S A 4.0 - - Middle Fork gauge @Audra: min=3.5,max=7?

PARSONS     Size of Cheat R at gauge = 1700 cfs

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Cheat/Canyon Albright/Rt26 Jenkinsburg 9.5 M A 3.0 4.0 6.0 Rt26: min = 1.5; Fri. Parsons minus 1.8' = Sat. at bridge?

Cheat/Narrows limestone cave on Rt26 Lick Run 5 M I 2.5 4.0 6.2 fun surfing at 4'.

N Br. Blackwater Cortland Camp 70 9 VS N 5.0 - - -

Blackwater, Upper Cortland Davis 11 VS N 5.0 - - -

Blackwater/Gorge NF Junction Hendricks 7 VS E 4.0 - 5.5 -

Shavers Fork, Upper McGee Run Bemis 13 VS A/E 5 - - Bemis gauge: min=3.3, med=3.7-4,high=4.4

Shaver's Fork Bemis CR 33/8 14 S I/A 3.9 - 5.5

Shaver's Fork CR 33/8 Parsons 22 S I 3.7 - 7.5

Dry Fork Gandy Cr Jenningston RC 19 VS I 5.0 - -

Dry Fork Jenningston RC Hendricks 12 S I/A 4.5 - 6.0 Hendricks min = 4.0

Glady Fork Rt33 Dry Fork/Gladwin 17 VS I 5.0 - -

Laurel Fork Rt33 RC Jenningston RC 13 S A 5.2 7? 9? put-in gauge: min/med/hi = 0.5/1.0/1.5

Red Cr of Cheat N Branch Bridge Rt32 6 VS I/A - - - -

CONFLUENCE      Youghiogheny R

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Lower Yough Ohiopyle RC Brunner Run 7 M I/A 1.7 - 4.0 Ohiopyle min/med = 1.2/3.0 (decked boats and many open

boaters will want 1.8+)

Middle Yough Confluence Ohiopyle/Rt381 RC 10 M N 1.7 - 5.0 Ohiopyle min = 1.2

Laurel Hill Cr Whiskey Dam Humbert - VS N/I 4.0 - - -

FRIENDSVILLE

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Upper Yough Sang Run Rd RC Friendsville 9 VS E 2.7 - 4.5? min for staff gauge at Sang Run = 1.7

Bear Cr Rt219 Friendsville 7 VS A - - - -

ROCKVILLE     Big Sandy

River/Section Put-In Take-Out Mi Size Dif Min Med High Comments

Big Sandy Cr Bruceton Mills Rockville 6 S I/A 5.8 - 8.0 -

Big Sandy Cr Rockville Cheat R 6 S E 5.7 - 6.7 -

Little Sandy Cr Rt26 Rockville 5 VS I/A 6.5 - - -