Paddle Report

Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville river run

West-Virginia, USA Cacapon River 3.0 mi long Class II-III
Today high
--
Tonight low
--
Current flow
--
% of normal
190%
Loading current conditions…
Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
--
Streamflow history loading…
Loading next 24 hours…
Loading 7-day outlook…
Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To  Wardensville -- West-Virginia paddle run
Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville West-Virginia · Cacapon River
About this run

Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville

The Whitewater River Run begins where the Lost River becomes the Cacapon River and flows for approximately 10 miles to Wardensville, West Virginia. The ideal streamflow range for this section of the river is between 150-300 cubic feet per second (cfs). The river is rated as a Class II-III, with several rapids and obstacles along the way. The first rapid is called "The Falls," which is a Class III rapid with a drop of approximately 5 feet. Other notable rapids include "S-Turn," "Pinball," and "Scissors." The river also features several large boulders and eddies that require skilled maneuvering.

Specific regulations apply to this area, including a catch-and-release policy for all fish caught in the river. Additionally, all boats must have proper safety equipment, including personal flotation devices (PFDs) for all passengers. The National Park Service also recommends paddlers to avoid this section of the river during high water levels, as it can become dangerous and difficult to navigate.

In summary, the Whitewater River Run is a challenging and exciting 10-mile section of river that requires skilled paddling and proper safety equipment. With Class II-III rapids and several large boulders and eddies, it is a popular destination for experienced paddlers looking for a fun and challenging adventure. It is important to follow all regulations and guidelines set forth by the National Park Service to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
StateWest-Virginia
RiverCacapon River
Run length3.0 mi
ClassII-III
Elevation1,258 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal190%
StreamgageUSGS 01610400
Latitude39.0815°
Longitude-78.6365°
Detailed forecast

Plan your run down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

Loading hourly forecast…
Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
Loading detailed forecast…
Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.

Loading 15-day outlook…
Regional flow

Regional streamflow levels

USGS streamgauges around Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.

Whitewater safety

Check the flow before you run
Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
Know your skill ceiling
Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
Wear the right gear
Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
Scout, set safety, and run with a team
Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
Respect the river
Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.

FAQ

About Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville

What's the optimal flow for Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville?

The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.

How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?

The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.

What's the whitewater class?

See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.

Where do I put in / take out?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.

Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?

Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.