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The Gauley River put-in is located at the base of the Summersville Dam, the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi, in Summersville, WV. The river's navigable portion stretches some 20 miles in length and is divided into 2 parts. The Upper Gauley is about 9 miles long and is rated the 7th most difficult whitewater rafting river in the world due to it's narrow channel, abundance of rocks and massive hydraulics! Jammed into those 9 short miles are over 15 rapids, most of which are Class 5. The Lower Gauley makes up the remaining 11 or so miles and is significantly less technical, although there are still a few Class 5 rapids. The Gauley River is navigable only in the Fall when water from the Summersville Reservoir is released into the river by the Army Corps of Engineers. All other times of the year the water level is too low for rafting. I am pictured below, right-front with the yellow helmet on!
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