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Trip Format
 You'll run the very same rapids that make the Fall Gauley Dam Release so special...Sweets Falls, Lost Paddle, Pillow Rock and all the rest are even steeper and rockier at lower summertime flows. Summer whitewater flows determine our boats...60% of the time, we're in high-performance rafts, 40% of the time we're in our quick, inflatable kayaks. Class III-V rapids. This trip is awesome!
Here’s how it works…At 8 am on the day of the trip, we call the Army Corps of Engineers to get the day’s release info so we can determine the boat size we will use for the day’s trips. Based on 20 years of data, these are the average flows on the Gauley River.
April – The Corp is usually not releasing so they may bring the lake to summer pool.
May – 2200 cfs (cubic feet per second)
June – 1900 cfs
July – 1050 cfs
August – 950 cfs
World Famous Fall Release is usually 2500-2800 cfs.
Want more? Why not make it a 2- or 3-day Wet and Wild Summer Gauley Overnight Trip and camp right on the river. We've also got ATV Tours, Paintball, Mountain Biking, and Rock Climbing to keep your adventure rolling!
The Season
 The Upper Gauley has runnable flows 95% of the year. The summer releases are usually at a reduced level because the Army Corps releases the same flow that is coming into the lake. Lower summer levels make the drops steeper, more technical and often times more challenging. We use the smallest high performance boats that weather conditions allow. Fall Draw Down brings the biggest levels of the year and attracts people from all over the world to challenge the world-class whitewater of the Gauley River.
What To Wear And Bring
 May - August
Swimsuit, t-shirt, ball cap
Old Sneakers or river shoes
Towel, dry set of clothes
Sunscreen, glasses strap
Gauley water comes from the bottom of the dam and is rather cold, even on hot summer days we recommend a sleeveless wetsuit and a windbreaker. These are available for rent at ACE.
Gourmet Lunch
Deli-Variety of cold cuts and cheeses for sandwiches, PB & J, assorted salads (pasta, seafood, potato), baked beans, chips & salsa, veggies & dip, trail mix, fresh fruit, cookies & desserts. Drinks may include water and lemonade. There are no restroom facilities alongside the river.
Rapids of The Gauley River
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