Gauley River
From West Virginia (WV) Cyclopedia
The Gauley River rises in the western part of Pocahontas County, flowing in a southwesterly direct across Webster and Nicholas counties, to a junction with New River in Fayette County, forming the Kanawha River.
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Gauley River
The basin of the Gauley River is bounded on the east by that of the Greenbrier River and on the north and west by that of the Elk River. The area of the drainage basin is about 1,430 miles.
The New River-Pocahontas and The Allegheny-Kanawha coal formations occur throughout the basin, the from being on the east side of the the main river and the latter on the west side of the river.
Maps
Mouth: Topo Map (http://www.wvexp.com/Topo_Maps_WV/index.php?title=Gauley_River&lat=38.1617&lon=-81.1964) :: Source: Topo Map (http://www.wvexp.com/Topo_Maps_WV/index.php?title=Gauley_River&lat=38.4092799&lon=-80.2381292)
Tributaries
The principal tributaries of the Gauley River are Williams, Cranberry, and Cherry rivers, Muddlety and Hominy creeks, Meadow River and Twenty mile Creek.
Whitewater Rafting
The Gauley River attracts more than 40,000 whitewater rafting enthusiasts each year. The most popular Gauley River rafting trips are those taken during "Gauley Season," when the river's whitewater is supercharged by the winter-season drawdown of Summersville Lake, just upstream, during the months of September and October.
For more information about whitewater rafting on the Gauley River and commerical rafting trips, see: Gauley River whitewater rafting (http://www.wvbridgeday.com/gauley-river-rafting.php) and whitewater rafting outfitters (http://www.wvexplorer.com/Recreation/Whitewater%20Rafting/guidesoutfitters.asp).
Whitewater Rapids
Whitewater rapids are categorized from Class I-VI as follows: Class I is considered easy; Class II is novice; Class III is intermediate; Class IV is advanced; Class V is expert; and Class VI is considered almost impossible.
Upper Gauley River
Insignificant Rapids (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=38.20278&lon=-80.9125) (also called Wood's Ferry Rapid) - Class IV+
Heaven Help You Rapids (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=38.20778&lon=-81.07194) - Class V+
Iron Ring Rapids (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=38.20139&lon=-80.96) - Class IV+
Lost Paddle Rapids (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=38.19639&lon=-80.94722) - Class IV+
Pillow Rock Rapids (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=38.20556&lon=-80.935) - Class IV+
Sweet Falls Rapids (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=38.21389&lon=-80.96889) - Class IV+
Lower Gauley River
Koontz Flume Rapids (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=38.23194&lon=-81.0275) - Class V
Lower Mash Rapids (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=38.21861&lon=-81.05694) - Class V
Upper Mash Rapids (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=38.21972&lon=-81.05917) - Class V
Pure Screaming Hell Rapids (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=38.20139&lon=-81.08361) - Class V
Name Origin
The name Gauley, is of said to be of French origin, being a modification of the old French word, Gaud.
Variant Names
Chin-que-ta-na, Chinquetanacepewe, Falling Creek, Gaul River, Gawly River, Gualey River, River of Gauls, The Falling Creek, The Falls Creek, To-ke-be-lo-ke, To-ke-bel-le-ke, To-ke-bel-lo-ke, Tokobelloke
"To-ke-bel-lo-ke" is said to be a Native American phrase, from the Delaware tribe, meaning "falling creek."
