See all 4 routes on Roanoke River
North Carolina | Northampton and Halifax counties
Roanoke River
Gaston / Roanoke Rapids Access to Weldon Outtake
Check current paddling conditions for this Roanoke River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A short, release-dependent whitewater run with a direct gauge, named public endpoints, and a mandatory take-out before the Weldon rapids.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Gaston / Roanoke Rapids AccessRoanoke River Partners lists Gaston/Roanoke Rapids Access at 36.4826, -77.6443 and the Weldon outtake before the rapids at 36.42986, -77.59113; follow current signs and access-owner instructions rather than relying on map pins alone.
Take-out
Weldon Outtake (prior to rapids)Dominion Energy identifies Gaston as the upstream landing and Weldon as the downstream landing near U.S. 301. Confirm the planned release and generating-unit status immediately before unloading.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Roanoke River Partners lists Gaston/Roanoke Rapids Access at 36.4826, -77.6443 and the Weldon outtake before the rapids at 36.42986, -77.59113; follow current signs and access-owner instructions rather than relying on map pins alone.
- Dominion Energy identifies Gaston as the upstream landing and Weldon as the downstream landing near U.S. 301. Confirm the planned release and generating-unit status immediately before unloading.
Watch for
- release changes
- flood control
- rapidly rising water
- cold water
- strainers and debris
- missed pre-rapids take-out
- access closures
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
No approved route photos yet
Start the gallery with shots of the access, river character, or any detail that helps paddlers know what this run actually looks like.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Roanoke River at Roanoke Rapids, NC |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Ideal range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 2,000 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Dominion Energy Roanoke River recreational release guidance |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- State-trail corridorRoanoke River State Trail, Roanoke Rapids to Albemarle Sound
North Carolina identifies this as a paddling trail and lists Gaston and Weldon among the designated accesses.
- Endpoint coordinates and mileageGaston/Roanoke Rapids Access to Weldon Outtake, 6 miles
Roanoke River Partners publishes both access coordinates and the 6-mile downstream spacing.
- Release and safety guidanceControlled recreational releases generally 2,000–3,300 cfs when not in flood control
Dominion Energy documents the two landings, release-sensitive conditions, and required whitewater equipment. Paddle Today uses 2,000 cfs only as a conservative minimum screen.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 02080500; 2,040 cfs and 2.98 ft at 2026-08-27 14:00 local time
The current observation was inside the cited controlled-release band when reviewed; recheck the live value and release schedule before launch.
- Whitewater reach contextRoanoke NC Route 48 to below U.S. 301 / Weldon
American Whitewater identifies the named Weldon reach and the direct Roanoke Rapids gauge; the stored route ends at the documented pre-rapids outtake.
- Image decisionNo route-specific image selected; approved Roanoke River context image used
No route-specific image was copied into the repository; the preview uses a rights-clean USGS Roanoke River context image and does not imply endpoint coverage.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Roanoke River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Roanoke River?
Paddle Today watches Roanoke River at Roanoke Rapids, NC and uses 2,000 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Roanoke River route start and end?
This route starts at Gaston / Roanoke Rapids Access and ends at Weldon Outtake (prior to rapids), about 6 river miles on the water.
Is this Roanoke River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.