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West Virginia | Central West Virginia / Down Elk

Elk RiverWebster Springs Park to CR 7 / Clifton Ford bridge

Elk River Webster Springs Park to CR 7 / Clifton Ford bridge is a 17.3 mi Class II-III run documented by American Whitewater and official access partners.

Route location

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Plan this route

Distance17.3 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 9–14 hr depending on flow
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Elk River Water Trail runs through a forested West Virginia corridor.
Route photoElk River Water Trail in West Virginia; same-river contextPhoto by Lance Cheung / U.S. Department of Agriculture via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distance17.3 miWebster Springs Park to CR 7 / Clifton Ford bridge
DifficultymoderateModerate Class II-III moving water. The length and changing stage make this unsuitable for first-time moving-water paddlers.
ShuttleCar shuttleLeave a vehicle at the CR 7 / Clifton Ford bridge take-out, then shuttle to Webster Springs Park. Use the public road network and do not park or walk on private driveways or rail infrastructure.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific permit is published for the named public endpoints. Follow current West Virginia boating/PFD rules, posted access rules, and any closure or water-quality notice.
CampingDay tripNo on-route camping is assumed. Use separately verified lodging or nearby campgrounds in Webster Springs and the Elk River valley.
SeasonApr-OctSpring through fall; September can be a good shoulder-season option when the gauge is stable, the road is dry, and recent rain has not changed wood or access conditions.

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

Gauge-backed Down Elk run with a broad 4.5–8.0 ft planning band, intermediate Class II-III water, and a long shuttle.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Webster Springs Park put-in
Open mapDirections to put-in

Confirm Webster Springs Park parking and the CR 7 / Clifton Ford take-out before unloading; the lower access is a bridge-side pull-out rather than a developed ramp.

Finish

Take-out

CR 7 / Clifton Ford bridge take-out
Open mapDirections to take-out

At stages below 4.8 ft, re-evaluate the full length and consider the shorter Sandy Beach / Way Down Elk variant described by American Whitewater.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Confirm Webster Springs Park parking and the CR 7 / Clifton Ford take-out before unloading; the lower access is a bridge-side pull-out rather than a developed ramp.
  • At stages below 4.8 ft, re-evaluate the full length and consider the shorter Sandy Beach / Way Down Elk variant described by American Whitewater.

Watch for

  • USGS 03194700 stage outside 4.5–8.0 ft, a rapidly rising trend, or flood guidance.
  • Low-water scraping, wood, sewer-plant rapid, swinging-bridge rapid, cold water, and difficult bridge-side egress.

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

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Route gallery

Photos

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The Elk River Water Trail runs through a forested West Virginia corridor.
Elk River Water Trail in West Virginia; same-river contextPhoto by Lance Cheung / U.S. Department of Agriculture via Wikimedia Commons
U.S. government work / public domain

Score & sources

Why this score

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Data status
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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.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteElk River below Webster Springs, WV
Gauge heightChecking
DischargeChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range5.10 ft to 6.50 ft
Low threshold4.50 ft
High threshold8.00 ft
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreAmerican Whitewater Down Elk stage range 4.5–8.0 ft
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
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 corridorWebster Springs Park to CR 7 / Clifton Ford bridge; 17.3 mi; Class II-III

    American Whitewater documents the reach, gauge, distance, stage bands, and low-water shortened-run option.

    Source

  • Public access endpointsWebster Springs Park and CR 7 / Clifton Ford bridge coordinates

    American Whitewater publishes exact access coordinates for the put-in and take-out; verify parking and current road conditions at both ends.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 03194700 stage telemetry

    Official same-river gauge used for the route planning screen; verify current value and trend before launch.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in West Virginia

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West Virginia route guideBrowse every tracked West Virginia route.Central West Virginia / Down ElkJump to routes in this region.

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All 6
Blue Creek DNR Access to Charleston Civic Center AccessLower Elk / Charleston urban water trailEasy · 13.8 miClendenin South DNR Access to Blue Creek DNR AccessLower Elk / Elk River Water TrailEasy · 5.4 miFrametown Bridge public access to Duck public accessCentral West Virginia / Elk River Water TrailEasy · 9 miKing Shoals DNR Access to Queen Shoals DNR AccessLower Elk / Elk River Water TrailEasy · 3.5 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Gauley RiverCurtin Bridge to DNR Persinger Creek Fishing Access · about 18 straight-line mi awayModerate · 12.4 miGreenbrier RiverSpring Creek to Anthony · about 37 straight-line mi awayModerate · 7.53 miWest Fork RiverWeston public parking below Weston Dam to Jackson’s Mill Public Stream Access · about 39 straight-line mi awayEasy · 5.5 miWest Fork RiverJackson’s Mill Public Stream Access to Good Hope Public Access · about 43 straight-line mi awayEasy · 10.6 mi

Quick answers

Elk River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Webster Springs Park to CR 7 / Clifton Ford bridge route on the Elk River?

Paddle Today watches Elk River below Webster Springs, WV and treats 5.10 ft to 6.50 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Webster Springs Park to CR 7 / Clifton Ford bridge route on the Elk River start and end?

This route starts at Webster Springs Park put-in and ends at CR 7 / Clifton Ford bridge take-out, 17.3 mi on the water.

Is the Webster Springs Park to CR 7 / Clifton Ford bridge route on the Elk 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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