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West Virginia | New River Gorge / Thurmond-to-Cunard transition
New River
Thurmond River Access to Cunard River Access
Check current paddling conditions for this New 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
Seven-point-two-mile Upper-to-Lower New transition from Thurmond to Cunard, with a direct Thurmond stage gauge, Surprise Class III hazard, and advanced/expert safety posture.
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
Thurmond River Access / Dunglen public access below Thurmond DamThurmond/Dunglen is below Thurmond Dam; launch only at the public access and never approach or attempt to portage the dam.
Take-out
Cunard River AccessCunard River Access requires the steep, gravel Cunard Road approach; verify current one-lane and seasonal closure status and use a suitable shuttle vehicle.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Thurmond/Dunglen is below Thurmond Dam; launch only at the public access and never approach or attempt to portage the dam.
- Cunard River Access requires the steep, gravel Cunard Road approach; verify current one-lane and seasonal closure status and use a suitable shuttle vehicle.
- Intermediate gorge banks are not automatic bailouts. Land only at named public properties and keep enough daylight for the shuttle and rescue plan.
Watch for
- USGS 03185400 stage outside the 1.25–9.6 ft AW range, a sharp rise, or a mismatch between gauge and local river conditions.
- Surprise, boulder gardens, strainers, undercuts, cold water, private banks, limited exits, and changing gorge roads.
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 | New River at Thurmond, 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 | 1.50 ft to 6.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 1.25 ft |
| High threshold | 9.60 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 4119 stage range 1.25–9.6 ft; 7.2-mile network geometry resolves the published 7.2-mile reach, while NPS requires advanced/expert framing below Thurmond |
| 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 corridorThurmond River Access to Cunard River Access; 7.2 mi; Class II-III
American Whitewater documents the reach and stage range; generated NHD network geometry measures approximately 7.24 miles between the published endpoints, resolving the separate 9.4-mile downstream feature-distance reference.
- Safety boundaryAdvanced/expert framing below Thurmond
NPS describes the downstream New River as advanced/expert; preserve this posture even though the AW reach rating includes Class I-II water.
- GaugeUSGS 03185400 stage telemetry
Official same-river proxy used for the route planning screen; it is not a route-endpoint measurement. Verify current value and trend alongside weather, visual conditions, and access.
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.
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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
New River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling New River?
Paddle Today watches New River at Thurmond, WV and treats 1.50 ft to 6.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this New River route start and end?
This route starts at Thurmond River Access / Dunglen public access below Thurmond Dam and ends at Cunard River Access, about 7.2 mi on the water.
Is this New River route good 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.