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West Virginia | Lincoln County / lower Guyandotte Water Trail
Guyandotte RiverBranchland public access to West Hamlin public access
Guyandotte River Branchland public access to West Hamlin public access is a 5.7 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
Low-gradient 5.7-mile lower-Guyandotte water-trail float with a public Branchland start, a West Hamlin concrete-ramp finish, and a direct Branchland stage gauge.
Access map
Put-in
Branchland WVDNR public accessBranchland is a WVDNR boat-slide access; confirm the carry, parking, and launch-side road exposure before unloading.
Take-out
West Hamlin public concrete rampWest Hamlin’s concrete ramp is behind the town fire and police departments; follow the water-trail directions, keep emergency access clear, and verify current parking or event restrictions.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Branchland is a WVDNR boat-slide access; confirm the carry, parking, and launch-side road exposure before unloading.
- West Hamlin’s concrete ramp is behind the town fire and police departments; follow the water-trail directions, keep emergency access clear, and verify current parking or event restrictions.
- Do not substitute private river frontage or bridge shoulders for either named access, and do not assume camping or overnight vehicle storage at the lots.
Watch for
- USGS 03204000 stage outside the conservative 3.5–16 ft screen, a sharp rise, or a mismatch between Branchland telemetry and local conditions.
- Low-water scraping, strainers, submerged debris, cold water, private banks, changing water quality, and urban/town access traffic.
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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
Guyandotte River at Branchland, 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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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.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Guyandotte River at Branchland, 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 |
| Preferred range | 4.10 ft to 8.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 3.50 ft |
| High threshold | 16.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Conservative local planning screen from USGS 03204000 Branchland gage-height history (2012–2026: about 3.15 ft minimum, 4.10 ft 25th percentile, 5.03 ft median, 7.07 ft 75th percentile, 10.96 ft 90th percentile, 33.59 ft maximum); the water-trail guide reports less than 2 ft/mile and no significant rapids |
| 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 corridorBranchland to West Hamlin; Trip 18; 5.7 mi; no significant rapids
Guyandotte Water Trail Map 5 publishes the exact trip length, public endpoint names, coordinates, low gradient, and take-out directions behind the West Hamlin fire and police departments.
- Public access and gauge relationshipWVDNR Branchland access at 38.2212,-82.2028; USGS 03204000 at Branchland; West Hamlin concrete ramp at 38.287,-82.196
WVDNR District 5 independently lists Branchland as a Guyandotte lot with a boat slide, while the Branchland USGS station is co-located with the put-in area. The route uses the station as a direct stage reference and retains the West Hamlin access directions from the water-trail map.
- GaugeUSGS 03204000 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
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Quick answers
Guyandotte River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Branchland public access to West Hamlin public access route on the Guyandotte River?
Paddle Today watches Guyandotte River at Branchland, WV and treats 4.10 ft to 8.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Branchland public access to West Hamlin public access route on the Guyandotte River start and end?
This route starts at Branchland WVDNR public access and ends at West Hamlin public concrete ramp, 5.7 mi on the water.
Is the Branchland public access to West Hamlin public access route on the Guyandotte River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
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