The Songer Splash Report
Gauley Season in West Virginia
The moment we all have been waiting for has arrived! Welcome to the 2007 Gauley River Rafting Season!!! It’s as time that both customers and raft guides look forward to, and as always, it never disappoints. For 22 days each fall, the Army Corps of Engineers draws down the summer pool at Summersville Lake and readies it for winter flood control. While most reservoirs in the U.S. draw down their level each fall, Summersville Dam in unique because the release of water from the lake is scheduled for utilization by whitewater boaters. Federally mandated to be more exact! That’s right; Gauley Season is a federally mandated party on the river.
If you have ever rafted the Gauley River, you know what all the fuss is about. While Songer Whitewater spends the majority of our season having fun on The New River, it just doesn’t compare to the Gauley River. Age restriction on the New River Gorge is 12 years old. On the Upper Gauley River it is 16 years old. The Gorge has 22 named rapids, while the Gauley has closer to 110 rapids bearing names. I will never disrespect the New River. I love a good hamburger, and the New River is a well cooked hamburger with all the fixings, but the Gauley is more like prime rib served in a 4-star restaurant.
A quick breakdown of the river goes like this. From the dam to Wood’s Ferry, the Upper Gauley, is about 12 miles featuring 5 class V rapids including Pillow Rock, Iron Ring, and Sweet’s Falls. Most of the smaller rapids are still solid class III, and there are probably 10 class IV along this stretch. While it is a pool-drop configuration like the New River, the pools are much shorter, and give us a chance to regroup, and try to lower the heart rate. On the Lower Gauley, which runs from Wood’s Ferry to Swiss, there are two class V and countless class IV & III rapids. This stretch is approximately 14 miles, and is often considered on of the prettiest in the east.
Gauley Season is also a time for catching up with old friends. Groups of loyal customers head into town for their annual trip down the river, sometimes coming from as far away as California on their yearly pilgrimage to ride the cool, clear waters of the Gauley River. Groups like the Ruff Riders, the Cranbrook Kids, Bunero’s Jersey gang, the Wetzel’s, and more. It’s always a pleasure to see old friends, relive great memories, and make some new ones at the same time. We can’t wait to see you all back. I know this summer we impressed upon some of our New River regulars why we hold the Gauley River in such high esteem, and we’ll be seeing some old faces for their first trip down the Gauley River. Trust me, we didn’t steer you wrong.
The other group we look forward to re-joining is the Migrant Wave Farmers of America. That’s right! The Gauley Season Guides! At Songer Whitewater we always have an influx of guides from some of the best whitewater rivers this country has to offer. Albert, Snuffy, and Peacock from down south. Jon T. and Dan K. from Colorado. The Hobbit, Mazza, and others. So if you thought rafting season was winding down with the end of summer, think again. Rafting season is just entering the playoffs, and there are some good games on the schedule! Hopefully, we’ll be seeing you on the river.
Video Dan
