Your safety while in, on, or around the Gauley River is our concern. 0000003210 00000 n )i LJ@Q(e00 0000042548 00000 n 0000044527 00000 n Another common belief is that whitewater deaths have skyrocketed in recent years, leading some to call for much tighter regulation. 0000042800 00000 n animal shelter helping puppies dumped in yard. Often overlooked for the bigger whitewater upstream the Lower Gauley River is legendary in its own way. While the Meadow is only paddled privately by highly skilled boaters, the Gauley is renowned among rafters as one of the most demanding and popular commercial runs in the world. Fayetteville, WV 25840 ACE Adventure Resort Official Sponsor of Gauley River Rapids, Fall Gauley Rafting Trips 0000007877 00000 n WebLower Gauley River Whitewater Rafting. The accident happened on the lower Gauley at a class four rapid called Stairsteps. 0000003671 00000 n 0000003268 00000 n Altogether, the park encompasses over 11,000 acres, from Summersville Lake and Dam down towards the confluence with the New River. In the first accident, on Saturday, Sept. 12, Eric Clark, 40, of Circleville, Ohio, died after going into cardiac arrest. Some rafters choose to go farther to Woods Ferry. US Dept of Commerce Experienced Rafters (Teens And Adults), Most Challenging, Experienced Rafters (Teens And Adults), Intermediate, Ziplining and Rafting Riverside Overnight Package, Mt Biking And Rafting Riverside Overnight Package, Hiking And Rafting Riverside Overnight Package, Rock Climbing And Rafting Riverside Overnight Package, SUP And Rafting Riverside Overnight Package, Upper And Lower New Rafting Riverside Overnight. Upper Gauley Rafting Trips | Lower Gauley Rafting Trips | Fall Gauley Overnight Trips | Featured Gauley River Trips, More Whitewater Rafting Trips Indiana is one of nine states with at least partial inventories of low head dams, while the rest of the country has no known inventory. American Whitewater reports that on average, there are only 6 to 10 whitewater rafting deaths for each 2.5 million user days on guided rafting trips. 1.800. 0000044408 00000 n Deals & Specials; Multi-Day Trips; Which Trip Is Right For Me? Choose a river section below and start your Gauley River On Sept. 12, Eric Clark, 40, of Circleville, Ohio, died while rafting with Adventure West Virginia Resort. trailer There were 111 reported deaths due to incidents caused by low head dams nationally just between 2018 and 2020. Heart of God Ministries presents, Woodrow Wilson High School student signs to be Concord, Woodrow Wilson High School tennis team welcomes European, Summer feel brings summer storms ahead of an active, Wednesday to feature 80s and isolated strong storms, Heat & humidity helps push us near record warmth, Could we reach 80? And for most of us, a whitewater raft trip is a lot more fun than a rickety roller coaster. Welcome to the Gauley River Rapids an online guide exploring all the rapids of the Upper and Lower Gauley River. While you may associate Burts Bees with lip balm, the brand has expanded into baby items that range from pajamas to bedding to bibs to shampoo. FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. The National Park Service says an Ohio man drowned while whitewater rafting on the Gauley River in Fayette County Monday. The associated spurt in deaths did not mean the sport had suddenly become more dangerous, but only that many more people were participating. That being said, this is no leisurely float trip. New River Gorge Rafting | Upper New Family Rafting | Overnight Rafting Trips, Outdoor Adventures 0000008551 00000 n 0000044146 00000 n startxref 0000041984 00000 n 0000004657 00000 n 0000003081 00000 n Gauley River Lower : High IV : Raft-Flush Drowning : High Water/ Fatal A winter that sees heavy snowpack in the high mountains can lead to unusually high volume in mountain-fed streams and a corresponding increased number of accidents. %%EOF 1.4K views 1 year ago. 0000020706 00000 n Tornado Statistics No more details have been released at this time. Rafting is just one of many outdoor activities to partake in while visiting the Gauley River National Recreation Area. Stick with 59News as we continue to provide updates. 0000028274 00000 n 0000011515 00000 n In his honor, this famous (or infamous) 14 foot cascading river wide waterfall is now referred to by all as Sweets Falls. Virginia mushroom growers prepare, Inmates caught at IHOP after using toothbrush to, LSUs Angel Reese blasts Jill Bidens apology, Brad Paisley to headline Indy 500 Concert, After cancer scare, Hugh Jackman urges sunscreen, New ownership breathes new life into Beckley car, $20K reward offered for info on mom missing 8 years, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. You have permission to edit this article. 160 0 obj <> endobj 0000013770 00000 n Though fun, whitewater rafting is an outdoor sport and has inherent risks involved. Low head dams are often colloquially known as "drowning machines" (link courtesy Iowa DNR) due to the hazard they pose to swimmers, kayakers, and other recreationalists, who may not recognize the structures or be aware of the turbulent currents they can cause, which are extremely difficult to escape. Gorgeside Zipline Tour | Rock Climbing | Kayaking | Summersville Lake Pontoon Adventure | Guided Hikes. The District Supervisor for the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve confirmed one person died while rafting on the Gauley River on Friday, September 10, 2021. For more information about the two sections of the Gauley River, check out the National Park Services pages about theGauley River. One person dies during rafting trip on Gauley River Local News / Sep 13, 2021 / 10:28 AM EDT One person died during a commercial rafting trip on the Gauley River. Woman dies in rafting accident on Upper Gauley The Associated Press Sep 20, 2010 Updated Oct 17, 2015 The Tri-States TRUSTED news source. The third fatality of the 2009 Gauley River whitewater rafting season was reported Friday, this one claiming the life of an Indiana man, National Park Service officials said. Local News One person died during a commercial rafting trip on the Gauley River. For safety information on low head dams, visit this page, also from IDNR. 0000005988 00000 n 0000043703 00000 n The victim was transported by HealthNet helicopter to Summersville Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:28 p.m., the park service said. Low head dams have frequently played a role in deaths and injuries along Indiana waterways - From 2010 to May 2020, the state of Indiana documented 25 deaths near or at low head dams, with at least 17 peopleinjured and 50 rescued at dams of all types. In the late 1990s, a huge growth spurt in whitewater sports came when whitewater kayaking became enormously popular. The victim fell from the raft and became pinned under water. The Virginia teen-ager's death was the first commercial rafting fatality on the New River in more than four years, according to Pories. 0000005125 00000 n They were found 787 .3982, 1980 - 2022 ACE Adventure Resort. He died about 90 minutes later at Summersville Memorial. %PDF-1.7 % 0000012105 00000 n 0000017958 00000 n WebThe Gauley River National Recreation Area entails 25 miles of the Gauley River, along with 5.5 miles of its major tributary, the Meadow River. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Graphical Gorgeside Zipline Tour | Rock Climbing | Kayaking | Summersville Lake Pontoon Adventure | Guided Hikes. Just a short drive north on Route 19 from the New River Gorge, it is just another reason why this part of southern West Virginia is an outdoor recreation and adventure seekers promised land. CoCoRaHS WebThere were 111 reported deaths due to incidents caused by low head dams nationally just between 2018 and 2020. Hazards 244 0 obj <>stream This formidable river deals out 25 rapids in just the first 9 miles of water and hosts legendary class V rapids like Pillow Rock, Iron Ring, Lost Paddle and more. endstream endobj 243 0 obj <>/Size 160/Type/XRef>>stream Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. The victim of the accident was a46 year old man from Ohio. 0000035550 00000 n 0000009128 00000 n 0000002561 00000 n The 22-day Gauley season began Sept. 11 and ends Oct. 18, Bridge Day weekend. All NOAA, The American Society of Civil Engineers(ASCE) has declared April to be Low Head Dam Public Safety Awareness Month. Computer Model Forecasts It is 9.8 miles long if you take out at Masons Branch. George Sayour is an American Canoe Associationcertified kayak instructor. OAK Hill, WV 25901 0000038393 00000 n With such close proximity to the well known climbing of the New River Gorge, many climbers are establishing new routes on the rock walls of Summersville Lake and along the Meadow River. 160 85 Altogether, the park encompasses over 11,000 acres, from Summersville Lake and Dam down towards the confluence with the New River. Climate Weather Graphs Responders from the park service, the Ansted Volunteer Fire Department and Jan-Care Ambulance utilized an automatic external defibrillator and assisted in rescue efforts. This is no lazy river tube ride. This is serious class V whitewater rafting. Previous experience is highly recommended and the reward is huge. All The Wild Scenery With Less Effort. A little tamer than the Upper but just as fun than the Lower Gauley whitewater rafting is perfect for you! Accidental deaths from whitewater rafting and kayaking accidents become the focus of news stories in any given year when such deaths spike. 2021 unfortunately brought another 38 drowning deaths at or near low head dams, with 2 of those occurring in Indiana (according to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials). Cooperative Observer Info WebWe recommend the Fall Upper Gauley for experienced rafters and the scenic Fall Lower Gauley for first-time rafters. The 9 Best Life Vests of 2023 For Every Age and Sport, 10 Years of Travel: Where Its Been, and Where It's Going, The 5 Best Scuba Diving Certification Programs of 2023, Top 20 Most Popular UK Cities for International Visitors, Cruise Along Easily With the Best Recreational Kayaks, The Beginner's Guide to Whitewater Rafting, A Complete Gear and Equipment List for Scuba Diving, The Bream Species: Sunfish, Bluegills, Shellcracker, Warmouth and More, The 11 Best Surfing Destinations in the World, 10 Tips for a Better, Safer Snorkeling Experience, Whitewater Rafting in the Sacramento Region, The 15 Best Places in the World to Swim and Dive With Sharks, The 10 Best Whitewater Rafting Destinations in the World. When the data for commercial rafting trips is looked at by itself the number of deaths goes down approx. It deeply saddens the entire river community when an unfortunate incident on a river takes place and one death is too many. The cold water released from the dam, coming out of the bottom of Summersville Lake, makes for ideal conditions for trout fishing. Professional titles include guide, instructor, operations manager, race director, photographer, and writer. 0000010953 00000 n River Expeditions offers trips on both the Upper Gauley and Lower Gauley. 0000014606 00000 n PO Box 32 0000004814 00000 n Hiking trails here lead to overlooks of the Gauley River and, for the more adventurous, all the way down to the river itself. Learn more about the Gauley River National Recreation Area and the incredible rafting opportunities it provides. In 1968, he became the first known paddler to successfully run The Devils Backbone rapid. Commercial rafters and private kayakers alike come from all over the United States and the world to experience the steep drops and huge waves of the Gauley. The West Virginia Professional River, Increased flows for the last 14 days of Gauley Season! Click a rapid below to get started. Click here to see a short documentary on the hazards of low head dams in Indiana and elsewhere from local public television station WFYI - "Over, Under, Gone: The Killer in our Rivers." But, most importantly, the rapids are huge and incredibly fun. While the rapids are not quite as difficult the scenery is arguably more remote and breathtaking. ), A vacation in West Virginia is incomplete without a day spent on Summersville Lake, a breathtakingly serene body of water with undeveloped cliffs, crystal clear water, and stunning canyon views. There are plenty of hiking trails to be traversed as well, and some of the best views and trails can be found by starting at the Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park. All Rights Reserved. 0000003027 00000 n It is estimated that there are 700,000 avid whitewater paddlers in the U.S. currently, while a mere 15 years ago the number was roughly 400,000. Our Office 0000043090 00000 n 0000004892 00000 n While this would seem to indicate an upward trend, the estimated number of paddlers suggests that the sport is actually growing safer. 0000044021 00000 n This ride starts with a hazardous rapid called Koontz Flume. 0000004419 00000 n 0000013002 00000 n WebAce Whitewater has unprecedented 2 deaths on the Gauley River in 3 days. A Kentucky man is dead after a whitewater rafting accident on the Upper Gauley River the second whitewater death of the season and in just more than two weeks time, authorities said. The headwaters of the Gauley River are found in the highlands of the Monongahela National Forest . Explore the 20 named rapids on the remote and scenic the Lower Gauley River. The park service and the state Division of Natural Resources are conducting the investigation. . Guide, instructor, operations manager, race director, photographer, and writer Backbone! 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Kayaking became enormously popular goes down approx with 59News as we continue provide! Its own way River is our concern be low head dams nationally just between 2018 and.... Are no recent results for popular commented articles but just as fun than the Lower Gauley River check! River Expeditions offers trips on both the Upper and Lower Gauley River National Recreation Area and the Division!
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gauley river rafting deaths