See all 5 routes on Cheat River
West Virginia | Cheat Canyon
Cheat River
Albright FOC / Muddy Creek access to Jenkinsburg Bridge
Check current paddling conditions for this Cheat River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.
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
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
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
Expert-only Cheat Canyon commitment with large hydraulics, remote exits, and demanding shuttle logistics.
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
Albright FOC / Muddy Creek accessVerify Albright/Muddy Creek and Jenkinsburg access, road condition, and current wood alerts before travel.
Take-out
Jenkinsburg Bridge accessDo not substitute this route for a lower Cheat section; its Class III-IV+ commitment is materially different.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Verify Albright/Muddy Creek and Jenkinsburg access, road condition, and current wood alerts before travel.
- Do not substitute this route for a lower Cheat section; its Class III-IV+ commitment is materially different.
Watch for
- USGS stage outside 10.7–18.0 ft or a rapidly rising trend.
- Large holes, boulders, undercuts, cold water, steep take-out, and limited rescue access.
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.
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 | Cheat River at Albright, WV |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | 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 |
| Target band | 11.00 ft to 14.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 10.70 ft |
| High threshold | 18.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater reach 2347 stage range 10.7–18.0 ft |
| 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.
- Named route corridorAlbright FOC / Muddy Creek to Jenkinsburg Bridge; 9.35 mi; Class III-IV+
American Whitewater documents the expert difficulty, stage range, hazards, and accident history.
- Access and shuttle warningSteep take-out and high-clearance shuttle considerations
WVDNR and American Whitewater access context require a current road and wood-alert check.
- GaugeUSGS 03070260 stage 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
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
Share your trip
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
Cheat River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Cheat River?
Paddle Today watches Cheat River at Albright, WV and treats 11.00 ft to 14.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Cheat River route start and end?
This route starts at Albright FOC / Muddy Creek access and ends at Jenkinsburg Bridge access, about 9.35 mi on the water.
Is this Cheat 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.