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West Virginia | Southern West Virginia / Big Coal Water Trail
Big Coal RiverSproul Road Launch to Alum Creek Lions Club Park
Big Coal River Sproul Road Launch to Alum Creek Lions Club Park is a 6 mi Class I run documented by official route and access sources.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Full Big Coal B-5 beginner reach from the Sproul pull-off to Alum Creek Lions Club Park, with Lock 4 as a shorter decision point and an upstream Ashford gauge proxy.
Access map
Put-in
Sproul Road / Brier Creek public pull-offSproul is listed as a pull-off rather than a developed ramp; confirm the carry path, shoulder parking, and shoreline before leaving a vehicle.
Take-out
Alum Creek Lions Club Park public boat accessThe brochure includes a 4-mile Lock 4 Launch option. This card deliberately selects the 6-mile Alum Creek endpoint; do not drift into the lower mainstem or assume a lock-site landing is open without a current visual check.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Sproul is listed as a pull-off rather than a developed ramp; confirm the carry path, shoulder parking, and shoreline before leaving a vehicle.
- The brochure includes a 4-mile Lock 4 Launch option. This card deliberately selects the 6-mile Alum Creek endpoint; do not drift into the lower mainstem or assume a lock-site landing is open without a current visual check.
- Alum Creek Lions Club Park is a named public access anchor, not blanket permission to use club facilities or adjacent private banks. Confirm signage, hours, and event/maintenance closures day-of.
Watch for
- USGS 03198500 discharge outside the 400–4,000 cfs route-family screen, a sharp rise, or a mismatch between upstream telemetry and local conditions.
- Lock 4/low-head structure context, Forks of Coal current, shallow riffles, strainers, submerged debris, private banks, cold water, and limited cell service.
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Big Coal River at Ashford, WV. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Route gallery
Photos
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Sources
Data and sources
Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.
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.
- Named route corridorSproul to Alum Creek Lions Club Park; 6 mi full B-5 variant
The current Coal River Water Trail brochure describes B-5 as 4 or 6 miles, with Lock 4 as the short option and Alum Creek Lions Club Park as the full option. The full variant preserves a distinct named public take-out.
- Public access endpointsSproul 38.2411,-81.7741 to Alum Creek Lions Club Park 38.2994,-81.8108
WVDNR District 5 lists Sproul (Brier Creek) as a Big Coal pull-off and Alum Creek Lions Club Park as a public access. Confirm current parking, carry path, ramp condition, and any park/club closure before staging.
- GaugeUSGS 03198500 discharge telemetry
Official same-river gauge used for the route planning screen; verify current value and trend before launch.
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
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Quick answers
Big Coal River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Sproul Road Launch to Alum Creek Lions Club Park route on the Big Coal River?
This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.
Where does the Sproul Road Launch to Alum Creek Lions Club Park route on the Big Coal River start and end?
This route starts at Sproul Road / Brier Creek public pull-off and ends at Alum Creek Lions Club Park public boat access, 6 mi on the water.
Is the Sproul Road Launch to Alum Creek Lions Club Park route on the Big Coal River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a easy route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.
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