See all 5 routes on Cheat River
West Virginia | Cheat Narrows
Cheat River
Rowlesburg City Park to Preston FOC
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
Cheat Narrows run with Class II-III current and a consequential Calamity Rock pourover.
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
Rowlesburg City Park accessReconfirm both WVDNR accesses, parking, and current wood or closure alerts.
Take-out
Preston Friends of Cheat accessDo not run Calamity Rock without a current scout and rescue plan.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Reconfirm both WVDNR accesses, parking, and current wood or closure alerts.
- Do not run Calamity Rock without a current scout and rescue plan.
Watch for
- USGS discharge outside 450–10,000 cfs or rapidly rising water.
- Calamity Rock, other pourovers, cold water, and remote exits.
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 Rowlesburg, 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 |
| Target band | 600 cfs to 6,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 450 cfs |
| High threshold | 10,000 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 2346 discharge range 450–10,000 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 corridorRowlesburg City Park to Preston FOC; 8.0 mi; Class II-III
American Whitewater documents the reach, Rowlesburg gauge, and Calamity Rock hazard.
- Access endpointsRowlesburg City Park to Preston Friends of Cheat access
WVDNR District 1 guidance supports the public access context; confirm current closure status.
- GaugeUSGS 0307020015 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 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 Rowlesburg, WV and treats 600 cfs to 6,000 cfs 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 Rowlesburg City Park access and ends at Preston Friends of Cheat access, about 8.0 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.