See all 5 routes on Cheat River
West Virginia | Upper Cheat River Water Trail
Cheat RiverHolly Meadows Bridge to St. George
Cheat River Holly Meadows Bridge to St. George is a 7.95 mi Class I-II run documented by American Whitewater and official access partners.
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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
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Upper Cheat water-trail day section with quick rain response and remote public accesses.
Access map
Put-in
Holly Meadows Bridge accessCheck Friends of Cheat kiosks, WVDNR notices, and bridge access conditions on the day of travel.
Take-out
St. George Bridge accessDo not camp at water-trail access sites or cross private banks.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Check Friends of Cheat kiosks, WVDNR notices, and bridge access conditions on the day of travel.
- Do not camp at water-trail access sites or cross private banks.
Watch for
- USGS discharge outside 500–8,000 cfs or rapid post-rain rise.
- Remote endpoints, cold water, changing access rules, and limited services.
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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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
Cheat River at Parsons, 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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Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
- Checking data sources and update times.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Cheat River at Parsons, WV |
| 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 |
| Preferred range | 600 cfs to 5,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 500 cfs |
| High threshold | 8,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater reach 11739 discharge range 500–8,000 cfs |
| 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 corridorHolly Meadows Bridge to St. George; 7.95 mi; Class I-II
American Whitewater and Friends of Cheat document the Upper Cheat water-trail section and flow range.
- Camping postureNo water-trail access allows camping
Treat the section as a day route unless a separately verified campground is reserved.
- GaugeUSGS 03069500 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
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 explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
Cheat River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Holly Meadows Bridge to St. George route on the Cheat River?
Paddle Today watches Cheat River at Parsons, WV and treats 600 cfs to 5,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Holly Meadows Bridge to St. George route on the Cheat River start and end?
This route starts at Holly Meadows Bridge access and ends at St. George Bridge access, 7.95 mi on the water.
Is the Holly Meadows Bridge to St. George route on the Cheat River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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