TEMPERATURE AND WATER AVERAGES FOR THE GAULEY RIVER
WATER TEMPERATURES: Normal average is in the 50's during the spring and summer. The water comes from the bottom of the lake because the cold winter water sinks. When They Start the Drawdown During Fall Gauley Season (to take Summersville Dam to winter pool, the temperature will raise 10 to 15 degrees by the last weekend.
Month
Avg Air º Hi
 River Conditions Best Clothing Description
Mar
60 º F

Water: Cold
Level: Varies		 Wetsuits a must. ACE rentals available. Bring wool or fleece to wear with your wetsuit. The Summersville Lake is being refilled making March water levels unpredictable. Call ACE for current levels.
Apr
65 º F

Water: Cold
Level: Varies		 Wetsuits recommended. ACE rentals available. Wool or fleece okay on warm days. The Summersville Lake is being refilled making April water levels unpredictable. Call ACE for current levels.
May
79 º F

Water: Cold
Level: Fun
2,260 cfs**		 Wetsuits optional. Lots of warm days with occasional cool ones. Be prepared for warm
or cool weather.		 Expect high water (usually the highest flow outside the fall season). Great for the adventure seeker.
Jun
84 º F

Water: Cool
Level: Medium
1,381 cfs**		 Summer dress okay, but bring a fleece sweater or windbreaker just in case. ACE rental windbreakers available. With the lake full, expect good flows. If you can't wait for fall release, come in June. Great month for Twin Rivers.
Jul
88 º F
Water: Refreshing
Level: Med-Low
1,072 cfs**		 Summer dress...t-shirts, shorts, tennis shoes. Don't forget sunscreen and windbreaker. Due to our 7 access points, ACE is often the only outfitter on the Upper Gauley. Flows usually mean a mix of rants and funyaks.
Aug
89 º F
Water: Refreshing
Level: Med-Low
1,124 cfs**		 Summer dress...but be prepared for a summertime shower. Ideal time for funyaks and small rafts. Great for the active and more adventurous.
Sep
77 º F
Water: Cool
Level: Fall Dam Release
2,800 cfs**		 Wetsuits necessary. Air sometimes still very warm. However, the water is off the bottom of the lake and is cold. World famous dam release begins the Friday after Labor Day. Warm days and refreshing whitewater. DON'T MISS IT!
Oct
63 º F
Water: Mild
Level: Fall Dam Release
2,800 cfs**		 Wetsuits necessary. Bring wool or fleece sweaters to wear with wetsuit. ACE rentals available. Several weeks of Gauley Season remain. Fall colors are spectacular. As the lake lowers, the water gets warmer.
Nov
60 º F
After trout stocking, the Army Corp releases remaining lake water to drop the lake to "winter pool."
**Cubic Feet Per Second